Is polyurethane safe for a roost?

[GimmeCake]

I was going to paint it, but instead I want to apply polyurethane. I want to know if it's safe, as in it won't irritate my chicken's feet, or harm them.

 

[Judy]

I feel wood roosts should be left bare. They will scratch anything like paint or polyurethane off, and until they do, it will be slippery. You can sand it down and oil it with veggie oil now and then.

 

[upthecreek]

I was going to paint it, but instead I want to apply polyurethane. I want to know if it's safe, as in it won't irritate my chicken's feet, or harm them.

I've seen poly water pipes used for roosts extensively with no harm ....... this may be similiar to what you are talking about (?) .

Shannon

 

[GimmeCake]

How long will it last without coating (it's like a 1-1.5in diameter dowel)? And is there anything else that's non-toxic to put on the roost?

 

[fiddlebanshee]

I concur with the previous posts. Just leave it bare. Sand or scrape it off if it gets really dirty, or just replace. I have a 2x4 untreated, unpainted stud as roost and it has been in there for almost 3 years. No problem with the wood decaying, it's a little dirty but not too bad so I'm leaving it in a bit longer. Using things like 2x4s or dowels is inexpensive to replace, so why would you go to the trouble of treating it with something?

 

[JackE]

I painted my roost bars (2X4's, wide side up), along with the rest of the interior of the coop. It could be left unpainted, but it looks a lot better painted. I would not use anything potentially slippery on the bars, like polyurethane. Especially with a small round dowel rod.
Jack