[pandoradeus]

I;m sure I've read somewhere that painting the inside of the coop white isn't a bad idea in relation to red mite prevention.
Really really silly question, what sort of paint?! I wouold have gone for gloss but thought Id better check 1st!

[joyfull]

Personally I wouldn't paint the inside - if the paint flakes the chickens could peck at it. One idea is to paint with a slurry of diatom, water with vanodine in and a squirt of washing up liquid.

[alancane]

Hello Joyfull,

Can I ask what sort of quantities would you suggest in the slurry mix?

Thanks

Alan

[joyfull]

The quantities depend on how large an area you have to paint, if you check this link you will find how Hillfooter suggest mixing it 


http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=63080.0

[alancane]

Thanks Joyfull.  I will be getting my girls on Friday, so I shall do a spot of painting before they arrive or next weekend. Looks like such a good idea as a preventative measure.

[8doubles]

Personally I wouldn't paint the inside - if the paint flakes the chickens could peck at it. One idea is to paint with a slurry of diatom, water with vanodine in and a squirt of washing up liquid.

I use emulsion paint which is non- toxic so will do no harm if pecked, is vanodine safe for them to eat ?
A thick coat of emulsion will fill lots of the nooks and crannies that mite like to live in plus the fact it is cheap compared to gloss.
I do gloss the floor and 4" up the wall for poo-proofing.

[joyfull]

vanodine is perfectly safe and can be mixed with water for drinking - you mix it at a rate of half a capful to 6 litres I think. I do this when any of my hens are unwell and share their water with any others. At the moment I have a sablepoot whose myco has flared up so all the poots have this in their water.