My eco solution to rat problems

[xraylady]

How are the PlastiDip coated roosting bars holding up, Brookside Roasters? Do the chickens ever try and peck at the coating?

I have one more coat to spray on before I leave them to completely dry/get rid of all fumes for a week.

My girls should arrive Oct 12th/13th so, of course, my level of neurotic over-anxious worrying (will they be OK? have I got everything they need? will they love me?!?!) is reaching new heights.

I swear, I am as eagerly anticipating their arrival, as I was the birth of my 3 children! It is nice NOT to be 9 months pregnant though. PLUS I don't have to go through another C-section! Yay!!

But I do think my excitement is, just a teeny-tiny bit, psychologically unbalanced?! Just a wee bit . . .

Still, back on this side of sanity, it would be great to get an update on how well the coating is staying on. (So that I can obsess about something else for a while.)

Thanks a bunch,

Sarah

T-7 & counting. . . Can't wait, can't wait. can't wait. . .

[CannyCat]

How are the PlastiDip coated roosting bars holding up, Brookside Roasters? Do the chickens ever try and peck at the coating?

I have one more coat to spray on before I leave them to completely dry/get rid of all fumes for a week.

My girls should arrive Oct 12th/13th so, of course, my level of neurotic over-anxious worrying (will they be OK? have I got everything they need? will they love me?!?!) is reaching new heights.

I swear, I am as eagerly anticipating their arrival, as I was the birth of my 3 children! It is nice NOT to be 9 months pregnant though. PLUS I don't have to go through another C-section! Yay!!

But I do think my excitement is, just a teeny-tiny bit, psychologically unbalanced?! Just a wee bit . . .

Still, back on this side of sanity, it would be great to get an update on how well the coating is staying on. (So that I can obsess about something else for a while.)

Thanks a bunch,

Sarah

T-7 & counting. . . Can't wait, can't wait. can't wait. . .

 

You're not unbalanced - I think we all had the same fears and neuroticisms before the chickens came - I know I did!!

[Brookside Roasters]

The bars are holding up fine. No evidence that the ladies are pecking at them. I'm going to to a full cleaning again this weekend and let you know how they're doing.

 

We've had our four ladies since mid-June, and are really enjoying them. Consistently 3-4 eggs a day!

[Brookside Roasters]

One month and counting. Still really happy with the rubberized bars. Rubberizing also solves the problem that many people have had (including me) of the bars coming apart.

[Cinnamon]

I am doing my new bar set with Plasticote (as opposed to Plasti dip) this weekend,& am really looking forward to seeing how they come out

[Laura & CTB]

I put the first coat of Plasti Dip on my spare set of bars last night - went on really easy and coated well.

 

I've used the Plasticote on other things before but have found I needed to use a sealer top coat to make them weather proof.

 

The Plasti Dip seems to be more "rubbery" feeling and certainly flexes well where as I have found Plasticote tends to crack if bent too much.

 

............guess it's gonna depend on how heavy your chooks are

[Cinnamon]

Well, they are not light & there are 5 of them,so I think I will order some plastidip - thanks Laura

[Martin B]

I think I'll do this to the set I'm going to order!

[Laura & CTB]

Well, they are not light & there are 5 of them,so I think I will order some plastidip - thanks Laura

 

Why not try a "patch test" on an old piece of wood first?

[Egluntyne]

Had a rush of blood to my head whilst out shopping today. Went to Hobbycraft and got some Plasticote Spray (Clear).

 

Have given 2 sets of roosting bars the scrubbing of a lifetime. They are now drying in the garage.

 

When they are completely dry I shall treat them with Plasticote, allow them to dry thoroughly and then see how it goes.

 

PS.... bought 2 christmas decorations too so I suppose I can say I have started my Christmas Shopping.......Depressing.

[Cinnamon]

Mine are drying off in the greenhouse,ready for their next coat of Plasi Dip (the stuff STINKS by the way!)

[The Dogmother]

I've got as far as ordering a tin of Plastidip, which is sitting in the utility room I haven't got round to painting them yet, but was waiting for a dry day to soak them in Milton first. Will report back when I do.

[Laura & CTB]

Have one set of Plast dip bars back in the eglu - blue colour goes wonderfully with the purple eglu

 

Am in the process of doing the second set of bars - smells wonderful (Sarah) - probably very addictive and not at all good for you!

 

The bars that are in the eglu do seem easier to keep clean - not a lot sticks and water just runs off when you've finished cleaning them.

[ubereglu]

Glad they're working well. I know the feeling about intoxicating things. Very easy to go a bit odd when using too much paint!

[Cinnamon]

Mine have been in use now for a few weeks & are looking really good.

The poo just washes off easliy,& cannot stain the wood underneath,so it is so much easier to clean the bars.

 

One thing - if I do another set I will use coloured spray as with the clear its very hard to know which bits I sprayed & which I did not

They look just the same as uncoated ones,but feel a little different.

 

The spray was easy to use & one can does 2 sets of bars just about!

[The Dogmother]

I've got it in the pot and haven't got round to doing it yet, mainly because I don't have anywhere to leave them to dry - perhaps if the weather is good at the weekend....

 

I tried cleaning my spare set prior to painting by soaking in Milton and ascrubbing, but they didn't get that clean; what REALLY worked was Phil's dishwasher!!!!

[Laura & CTB]

I'd also like to report that this was a complete success. As Sarah said the spray is really easy to use although I did use one can per set of bars (and now half the inside garage wall is blue

 

And blue bars do look fab with a purple eglu