To paint or not to paint inside of nest box?

[frog522]

Finally going to paint today! I can't believe the coop I have been working on has taken 2 1/2 months...but finally get to put on primer today! (It's only 4'x4'...I must be the slowest builder on earth...)

I'm planning on painting the inside of the coop semi-gloss white. Right now the nest boxes are unpainted plywood inside. Can I go ahead and prime and paint the inside of the nest boxes semi-gloss white? I have read that hens like dark (secluded) areas to lay. For me it would be easier to clean to have it semi-gloss but to save from having to buy another can of dark paint just for the nest box, will white do?

Is there any possibility that my hens will refuse to use the nest box if the paint color is too light??

 

[ducks4you]

Paint it. Several coats worth. White will do. Your birds won't refuse to lay because of the color.
You'll thank me the first time your have to clean it.

 

[sunflowerenvy]

paint, paint you r going to fill with bedding anyways

 

[33yardbirds]

I don't paint the interior or the nest boxes because I think the hens feel more secure when it is a little darker. I place the nest boxes in the darkest corner of the coop. But to each their own. I'm sure others have had great success painting everything.

 

[darkmatter]

I was taught not to paint the nest boxes or the roost poles. I didn't and its been fine for over 15 years (See my BYC page)

 

[rhodered10]

painting it will be fine but its prob best if u dont they like it dark plus they could peck at the paint and eat it which could make them sick and make their eggs go bad

 

[ducks4you]

Just a paint reminder: Construction grade is good paint and it costs less. The down side is that are you limited as to choice of colors, but I'd like white for my nest boxes.
I have to politely disagree with darkmatter on painting the nest boxes. Every place my birds go needs to be cleaned, and it will be easier to clean a painted piece of wood than to clean an unpainted or untreated piece. Just MHO.

 

[elmo]

Paint can help seal the wood and the seams in the box so mites have fewer places to hide.

 

[frog522]

Quote:
Does this go for the roost bar too? I was leaning towards painting everything except the roost bar.

 

[mcostas]

I used spar varnish for the inside of mine. I figured the chickens wouldn't be as tempted to peck it, although I am a chicken noobie and based that on nothing really. I also was thinking of cleanlieness when I decided to paint mine.