help - with DIY hen house

Hi Marianne,

You don't really need to protect the timber on the inside as it should be dry all the time for the chooks.  

I'm guessing your bed frame will be make the general framework for the house.
What did you plan to use to clad the outside with ?
And the roof.

Have you access to any old pallets ?
Or did you want to buy some shiplap cladding or similar ?

Rob

In which case, providing you can make the joints fairly weather tight I would have thought a creosote substitute or something a little more decorative such as cuprinol or similar. You can get a wide range of colours.

If you make the roof with pallet wood, you'll need some felt or corrugated onduline sheeting. If you use felt, paint some biumen adhesive round the edges to stick it down as well as nail it so the dreaded red spider mites can't hide under it.  :twisted:

And whatever you paint/treat the wood with, give it a few days to dry out and air off so there's no fumes hanging around when the chooks move in.

Well done for taking DIY route. My advice is to make the inside as box-like as poss, ie. no nooks and crannies, just smooth walls and floor for easy cleaning. And remember to have a side removable for leaning in. They always poo in the farthest corner !

Rob