[nerdle]

I'm currently designing my chicken coop (unique as it will be inside my shed) and I'd like to use dowels (planed down to make oval shape) for the flooring.  I don't know how I can can find a plastic version the right size for perching so it will have to be wood.  Will painting it gloss a couple of coats seal it up against red mite?

The coop will be melamine (my friend's discarded kitchen).  I'll paint the sawn edges of that to seal it up too.

Does anyone have a view on this?

[Hen 1-0 Fox]

I'm no expert but I saw an article in this in practical poultry magazine. I can't remember the full spec of the perch but I do recall it was plastic, it is situated centrally inside the coop away from the walls and had 'buffers' at the ends of the perches to stop chickens brushing up against the walls of the coop where the red mite can be waiting. I can't recall the other features but I'm sure it had some feature to stop the mite rising up from the floor of the coop also.

[Hen 1-0 Fox]

Ps.... Also heard of keepers using Vaseline and double sided sticky tape on the vulnerable parts of perches to stop the movement of the mites... No idea how effective that is though.

http://www.miteyperch.com/

[nerdle]

Diggit and Hillfooter have great flooring/perching in their coops.  I'm happy with wood - just wondering if painting it is beneficial regarding red mite. Failing that I'm advised linseed oil helps.

She would still prefer to sleep on her newspaper.  I don't know how old my hen is (rescue) so might she get a bit old for perching?(!)

Kate

[Sassy]

I have seen posts where sealant is used, I think it is mastic or similar

[kegs]

 I don't know how I can can find a plastic version the right size for perching so it will have to be wood.  

Here are some plastic perches:

http://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=Eglu&sub=Spares&product_id=920&product_name=Roosting+Bars+Plastic+-+Eglu+Mark+2

(I wouldn't advise using sealant as the chickens could eat it !)

[nerdle]

Thank you so much!  Just what I want!

Kate x