Guest Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 (edited) hi, we have this coop/run http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220150562360&ssPageName=STRK:MEDW:IT&ih=012 it arrived today and is bare wood, what's the best way to weatherproof it, especially the coop! I don't want them to get wet! Would a non toxic wood treatment suffice or should we attach something to the roof, corrugated plastic or something? Edited September 28, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 The link is not working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 sorry, should be ok now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 The ad says it's made from fully treated timber, you should be ok. A tarp or Omlet winter shade might protect the wire bits from the worst though. Skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 yes, it SAYS that but it looks untreated to me and I don't want to take the risk. It's the roof of the coop I am concerned about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 A number of Omleteers use either PlastiKote or Plastidip in their roosting bars.....maybe you could use that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 A number of Omleteers use either PlastiKote or Plastidip in their roosting bars.....maybe you could use that. i don't think you can use that on wood, can you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 The roosting bars are made of bare wood, and as I said, several Omleteers have used both products quite successfully.. Plastikote is best I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 I wonder if this would be okay? http://www.godfrey-diy.co.uk/ronseal-5-year-woodstain/cat229.html says it waterproofs Just need to make sure it's non toxic- guess a visit to a DIY store is best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Might be....you could go for a pretty colour! Best to ask first about toxicity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 will definitely make sure it's non-toxic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 I used a spraycan of Plastidip on one set of roosting bars - they do seem easier to clean & don't get so damp but it took a whole can to do the one set. (They are blue to match my eglu so look very pretty - especially with dollops of poo all over them!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 The roosting bars are made of bare wood, and as I said, several Omleteers have used both products quite successfully.. Plastikote is best I believe. Its spray Plastidip thats the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parmaviolet Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Maybe it'd be a good idea to visit the River Cottage or Practical Poultry Forums...most of the posters there have wooden housing, someone might have the exact same hen house that you have. I used to often use the Practical Poultry site for advice in the early days when my chooks were off colour as there are keepers there with years and years of experience. Make sure you let us know what they say. Hmm, Plasticote/plastidip, I hadn't thought of using that on the roosting bars. I have two sets & a large black bucket Oh how I hate cleaning it But I love my girls and it has to be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 I think I would just add some roofing felt. Failing that you could use some box type conservatory roofing sheets and extend them right over the run too. I dont think they are expensive. Roofing felt certainly isn't. The wood will have been pressure treated rather than painted so that the treatment penetrates the wood, so it should be OK anyhow. EDIT: Another option would be to give it a couple of coats of yacht varnish (externally). You would need to make sure it is thoroughly dry before putting chooks in though as I think the fumes would not be good for them Let us know how you get on. Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 That does actually look like treated timber, so I wouldn't worry. There isn't actually much difference in the look of treated and untreated timber, especially if it's been stored for a while. We have a coop made from treated timber and it's been outside since August '05. and it hasn't ever had a coat of wood preserve so it should be absolutely fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 ok thanks guys, i did read somewhere that felt harbours red mites but think we'll give it a coat of non toxic stain just to be on the safe side- cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 I'd be tempted to hook a couple of clear IKEA shower curtains over all the roofs that way they'll get daylight and tay dry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 why, don't they like the rain? thought it would be good for their feathers- the run does have a covered section so they can shelter if they don't like it or they can go back into the coop. Should I not let them get wet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Definitely give the felt a miss as red mite adore hiding under it. Most people on the P P forum will recommend the old type creosote, which you can't get now. I hate the smell of the stuff and have started using Sadolin Garden Furniture oil on my wooden arks. The pressure treatment your wood has had will make water resistent and prevent the wood from rotting, but wood shrinks when it's hot and dry and swells when it's wet . this makes it prone to cracking, as well as the shrinking causing gaps to appear. The oil I use seems to actually nourish the wood, making the movement between shrink / swell much less. Water also beads off of it rather than soaking in. I did mine this spring and will give them another coat when we have a few dry warm days to prepare it for winter (after our very wet summer). I would recommend using some clear plastic for the roof of the run part, but I also use corrugated plastic sheets as wind / weather breaks on the sides of mine when the weather is foul as rain never falls horizontally! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 I would recommend using some clear plastic for the roof of the run part, y! as I asked above, why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 As it will provide them with more shelter from the wind and rain. Chickens are fine outside, but extreme weather can be bad for them and a shower curtain will provide extra shelter. Chickens do not like getting wet, generally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 I'd go with Couperman and felt it. Really easy, cheap and if it gets damaged just tear it off and redo it. A roll of felt will cost you less than a tenner and will do it all. No probs - and you get to buy clout nails and hammer stuff and make noise and be really do it yourselfy. Mind you, the chickens will stand on the top and cr*p all over it, but there you go. Or maybe they can't get out of the run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 My chooks get miserable when they're wet - they hate having wet hair and petticoats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
