4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Mcpen]

I have been offered a second hand wooden chicken coop which needs a bit of a clean and touch up, what I need to know is, what is the best thing to use to give the inside a good clean and what paint if any can be use on the inside hope someone out there can help cheers.

[hilda-and-evadne]

what I need to know is, what is the best thing to use to give the inside a good clean and what paint if any can be use on the inside hope someone out there can help cheers.

 

Someone more knowledgeable will be along soon - all I know is, don't use Jeyes Fluid - the residue or something is lethal to hens.

[Mcpen]

what I need to know is, what is the best thing to use to give the inside a good clean and what paint if any can be use on the inside hope someone out there can help cheers.

 

Someone more knowledgeable will be along soon - all I know is, don't use Jeyes Fluid - the residue or something is lethal to hens.

 

Thanks Rachael I thought Jeyes Fluid would be a bit harsh.

[Egluntyne]

**Poultry Shield** will give it a good clean.

 

It might be a good idea to remove the roofing felt (if present) as red mite love to live under it, and replace it.

[Mcpen]

**Poultry Shield** will give it a good clean.

 

It might be a good idea to remove the roofing felt (if present) as red mite love to live under it, and replace it.

 

Thanks Egluntine

 

Poulty Shield sounds just the thing, it does need a really good clean, the roof is metal so hopefully thats ok.

 

I havn't got it yet but will give it a good going over. I didn't notice any roosting bars but it was full of bales of straw and other bits and bobs.

 

I am sure I will be on the forum asking for more advice soon.

[chickenanne]

I agree, poultry shield and lots of scrubbing!

If you know the pople who owned it before, it might be worth checking if they had any disease /mite issues with the coop before - I know red mite can live without a host for a good while. You should be fine if it's cleaned thouroughtly, though, but it might be reassuring to know!

Painting the inside to seal it is a good plan - anything non-toxic should be fine, I think a lot of wood stains/seals are pet/child freindly now.

[Mcpen]

Thanks Chickenanne will get my scrubing brush at the ready

[superjules]

I have a wooden coop which was second hand.

 

Take the roof off on a fine day and give it a good spray with poultry shield. When it's all dry, mix up a bucketful of whatever bedding you use (I use aubiose) with a good cupful of diatom (cheaper to buy it in 5kg tubs rather than from Omlet) and scatter it everywhere inside, throw it all up the walls so that the inside looks dusty. Make sure you get into the corners and any joins in the wood. If the perches are fixed, take them out and dust underneath them.

 

Bit worried about the metal roof though - won't they cook on a hot day?

[Mcpen]

Hi superjules

 

Thanks for advice on cleaning, it does need a good going over, I think it was a metal roof but I am going tonight to have another look and taking OH with me so will make sure and ask the chap a few questions

 

He has keeped chickens for years so he should be able to advise me,so fingers crossed I will have the coop sorted so then will need to decide on the run and last but not least which hens to have but will have to wait till after hols

[superjules]

Good luck with it - do ask him if he's had red mite in it. Don't let a few cobwebs put you off though. When buying a henhouse, make sure you can get good access to the inside for cleaning - I have seen some which only have the pop hole - a nightmare to clean out. It really helps if the roof is hinged too - mine's not so I have to go out there with a power screwdriver to take the roof off for a proper clean.

[Mcpen]

Hi again Superjules

 

OH and I have just had another look at it, it has got a corragated tin roof but he kept chickens in it for years so should be ok and yes it is full of cobwebs.

 

Like I said before it does need a good clean and it has two quite large doors at front so should be easy to clean inside, the nesting boxes look a bit awkard to give a good clean out but with a bit of tweeking I think we can sort it.

 

Cant wait to get started.

[superjules]

A corrugated tin roof can easily be replaced with a bit of coruline or whatever it's called - I have that on my hen house. Cobwebs are good - it means there's no redmite in there (even if there once was) as the spiders will have eaten them!

 

Good luck with your prospective purchase!

[Mcpen]

Hi

 

Didn't know that about spiders, I might leave them in then perhaps not, I'm not to keen on them. Will have a look at changing roof.

[The Dogmother]

Give it a good scrub and leave it in the sun to sterilise it if you can. I'd then coat the inside with some sealant like varnish. Make sure that it is thoroughly dried and aired before you put any birds in though. Work it well into any corners and nooks to make cleaning easier and to cut down on any cracks for nasties to lurk.

[superjules]

The chooks will eat the spiders so they won't be around for long!

[Mcpen]

Thanks to everyone, you are all so helpful, I know where to come if I have any problem. Thanks again