[dizzylizzie]

Hi everyone, im new to the forum, getting my girlies in a few weeks and we are soo excited.we are building our own hen house, but can anyone tell me what is best to protect the wood with, do we stain it , paint it? obviously i know the paint would be lead free, but what else do i have to look out for. if i painted it would my girls not just peck it off?.... any advice would be welcome, thanks

[Foxy]

I have always used Sandolins outside woodstain in "natural oak" gives it brilliant protection plus brings out the natural grain a treat. Before I use a new house I soak thouroughly in a good anti-red mite solution, poultry shield is a good one,then I dust all the nooks,crannies, nestbox with diatom

[dizzylizzie]

good grief that was quick thankyou!
when you say a good soaking......does it come in a spray, or do you put it on with a paint brush? sorry all this is new to me, i havent got a clue
also do you put it on before of after staining?... sorry this is probably obvious to someone with half a brain he he he

[Foxy]

no I have just come in for a cold drink...it is so hot outside!
They are not daft questions at all!
I just paint the outside with sandolins and nothing else, I do this about one a year or 18months. It is expensive but I think they look lovely, nice and rustic in the garden.
The poultry shield is made up with water, a simple garden spray bottle is fine, just spray generously eveywhere in the henhouse, when dry the chooks are fine and its one less thing to worry about particulary in this hot weather.

[dizzylizzie]

thanks for your speedy help
and please stop showing off!...... we have cloud and drizzle in north wales .....better forcast for tommorow though, great for staining chicken houses. once again-thankyou

[dizzylizzie]

http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac74/lizzieandy/IMGP0189.jpg

ok.... not sur , but i think this is  link to a photo
if it is then i will put more on and show you theprogressi have made, thanks to everyone fo thier help!

[dizzylizzie]

WOOO HOOO, it works
ok this was the house a few days ago, i had to start to stain the wood becausei wanted to protect it from the fab rain stoms we have had!i hae NEVER bulit anything beforeso it has been a hugelearning curve for me

[dizzylizzie]

http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac74/lizzieandy/IMGP0184.jpg

[Vember]

That's looking great Dizzy, well done


Sarah

[joyfull]

wow very impressed 

[dizzylizzie]

http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac74/lizzieandy/IMGP0191.jpg
just taken these, 5 mins ago.... i have left ventilation at the top , but covered it in mesh to stop rat/nasties getting in. im fixing the doors on tommorrow... floor is going to be last so i can climb inside to do work. thanks for the comments guys, like i say i have never done anything like this before so it wasnt easy for me!

[dizzylizzie]

http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac74/lizzieandy/IMGP0192.jpg

[Foxy]

That is looking really good! well done you, you deserve to feel real proud!!

[dizzylizzie]

thanks, i am..... ive got to get the flooring in yet though..... hope me chucks like it!
 still got quite a bit to do though. gonna move it into the final position before i put the floor in as its really heavy now so with the floor in i dont think i could lift it! Also do you think i should put it on slabs ?. im going to put the feeder under the cage and i thought as the rest of the run will have deep bark covering the floor, it would be easy to clean up any food spliage off the slabs.... any advice would be welcome

[Sassy]

Sorry only just catching up!

I use Cuprinol but anything which is marked as bat friendly will be suitable.