Part 0800.0005

[nutterly_uts]

cleaning friendly and mite unfriendly?

 

I may be getting a wooden ark, as I can't afford another Eglu, and I'd be looking to put my silkies in it if I did.

 

Any ideas? My initial thought was to gloss the inside for several coats, then varnish it and let it dry really well?

[Redwing]

I think you would run the risk of condensation not to mention the fumes.

 

I have heard about using clear silicone to seak gaps and cracks (not ventilation holes though!) so mites can't hide in them which seems a good idea

 

I have just bought a wooden house for my meat birds and am not planning on doing anything to it other than trying to keep it as clean and mite free as I can, if its well made someone will have thought about where mite can hide etc... and will try and minimise the hiding places in the design

[Minnie the Moocher]

Diatoms sprinkled on the perches (especially the ends), and also in the nestboxes each time you clean out the house.

 

Works for me.

[madchickenlady]

Another vote for diatom here

[Carol U]

I varnished the inside of my wooden house - mainly to make cleaning easier. I've had it just over a year and so far no problems. Provided you let the varnish dry completely to get rid of any fumes before you introduce the hens, it should be fine. Condensation shouldn't be a problem provided you have sufficient ventilation holes.