Lone Ranger Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 I've got a spare set of roosting bars to help with the cleaning regime, but notice that they are bare untreated wood. Has anyone tried a coating such as a varnish to try and protect them from wear and to make them easier to clean ? Obviously this must be non-toxic for the chooks - but has anyone found a suitable product ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 SOme people have used plastikote. Hopefully one will be along soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebowyer Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 I would have thought a couple of coats of yacht varnish would be sufficient and non-toxic to the hens, but I haven't tried it and am willing to be corrected. Be aware that you'll be washing the bars every week or couple of weeks, so anything you treat it with will have to be strong enough to withstand that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 SOme people have used plastikote. Hopefully one will be along soon And as if by magic ta da! Actually, it was Plastidip rather than Plastikote. ~ click here ~. I had to use a whole can (the £8 one) just for one set and it was a bit messy to do but they do look good and hopefully will last for longer. I have another set unpainted so get back to me in 5 years and I'll let you know if it worked . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Plastikote is useless. I used a whole can and the effects lasted for about 2 uses and washes. It is also very potent and chemically and gave me asthma. You can paint Plastidip on too......it is very thick and gloopy, but the results are meant to be good. I find that if you leave the bars out in the rain, they self wash and then you can give them a quick rinse with a hose. I remember reading elsewhere about someone who put her roosting bars in the dishwasher!!!! I don't fancy that myself somehow!! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Lovely Hubby has made me a set out of plastic,so I am trialing them this week & will get back to you all on how they work out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Lovely Hubby has made me a set out of plastic,so I am trialing them this week & will get back to you all on how they work out If they do work well, (and no reason why they shouldn't) maybe he could sell the idea to Omlet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 ooo can we see piccy's of the plastic bars? Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 I've been wondering about plastic bars - will be interested to see how they work out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Same here. I wondered if the hens would be able to grip them in the same way. Might be a lucrative sideline for your beloved, Cinnamon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Oh cinamon please start selling them. The one pain in the back side job with my cube is sitting their s"Ooops, word censored!"ing poo off roosting bars with an old knife. God knows how people manage with an entirly wooden coop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 I tried plasticote - it is better than nothing, and easily available, but I think it would have been better to make the extra effort to send for plastidip (unless anyone knows where you can buy it other than online?). The plasticote is wearing reasonably well, but as we just got a jet wash a couple of weeks ago it may not last much longer! The jet wash makes cleaning so much easier, but is a bit fierce. I got sick of being outside in the freezing winter weather with a bucket of water and a scrubbing brush (for what seemed like hours at a time, cleaning). Milly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 I found the spray on plastikote useless but the paint on stuff was far better and my coated bars are still doing well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 I've got a spare set of roosting bars to help with the cleaning regime, but notice that they are bare untreated wood. Has anyone tried a coating such as a varnish to try and protect them from wear and to make them easier to clean ? Obviously this must be non-toxic for the chooks - but has anyone found a suitable product ? so to be negative but .... why bother? roosting bars are really cheap and easy to knock up. and they last a pretty long time - they just need a quick scrub down with a brush and they are OK. I'm a fan of untreated wood - its nice and natural. I have made a couple of sets of spare bars, and will chuck 'em out when/if they get really nasty. Sorry but I think you can spend a fortune on stuff that really isn't necessary if you aren't careful - anyone thought of wallpapering their Cube yet? (probably yes!!!!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 SOme people have used plastikote. Hopefully one will be along soon And as if by magic ta da! Actually, it was Plastidip rather than Plastikote. ~ click here ~. I had to use a whole can (the £8 one) just for one set and it was a bit messy to do but they do look good and hopefully will last for longer. I have another set unpainted so get back to me in 5 years and I'll let you know if it worked . Sorry to go back.............ANH I see you're using shredded paper in your tray and nest box. Do your girls eat the paper (is it cross cut shredded or strip shredded?) I'm going to be using shredded paper in the tray (the girls can't easily get to it) but was concerned they may eat (vast quantities knowing my lot ) if it was in the nest box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Yes, it's crosscut. I've never seen them eat it . They do go for the bokashi bran if I put that in the tray though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
