Britannia Ovens (esp Range cookers) your experience

[Lavenders_Blue]

I hate to be thinking about winter already (shudder) but I would like to give my wooden coop a spruce up ready for the winter season, especially if it's going to be anything like as cold as last winter!

 

My coop was new in October last year, so when the winter came, all the weatherproofing was brand new. I think it would be a good idea to give it another coat before winter comes this year, but my question is what to use?

 

My coop was painted last year with a protective wood stain which is blue in colour. The colour still looks fine so I'm quite happy to go over it with a clear treatment. There are products for sale both from Flyte so Fancy and Forsham - has anyone used either of these and can recommend them? Or is there another product which is better?

 

There are also some cracks/splits in the wood (outside) which I would like to seal, as well as sealing the cracks inside. I meant to do this before the summer to help prevent red mite (been okay so far though, touch wood!) what would be good for this? There is a crack sealant available from FSF but it looks like it's for hairline cracks and I would like to get a decent amount of stuff into the corners inside. What's good to use?

 

Also any ideas on what to use on the splits in the wood? These are self-inflicted injuries by me and DH being less than careful in moving the coop and causing some splits in the wood. Would something as basic as superglue be okay? Or the FSF crack sealant? Or something else??????

 

I'd like my girls to be snug as a bug this winter

[Jools]

No idea about splits in the wood as I've never encountered it

 

However, I treat my coops at least once a year, sometimes twice because it's quite theraputic

 

I use either Cuprinol Trade Wood Preserver (which adds some colour to the wood too) or Sadolin Garden Furniture Oil ( usually in autumn as it is excellent for wood treatment and weather proofing).

 

I don't rate the water based wood treatments as they do nothing to condition the wood. I haven't used creosote because I hate the smell, but I have a big new house and I'm considering the new Creocote as I'm apprehensive about red mite because of its size.

 

HTH

[Lavenders_Blue]

Thanks Jools, that's helpful. I had seen something by Bird Brand called Ecosote but wasn't sure whether it would be any good. Might see if I can find any reviews about it. Mind you... I think 4 litres could last an awfully long time!