What To Know About Painting a Chicken Coop

There are a plethora of benefits to raising backyard chickens. It helps provide a consistent source of eggs, fertilizer for your garden, and lessons in responsibility for young ones living in the house. And no backyard chicken setup is complete without a chicken coop to protect your flock from the weather and predators.

But just because a structure is built for functional purposes doesn’t mean it has to be a bare-bones wooden eye-sore. In fact, there are a plethora of benefits to freshening up your coop with a coat of paint. Here’s what to know about painting a chicken coop.

Why Paint a Chicken Coop?

Naturally, painting a chicken coop will improve the coop’s overall aesthetic, which is good for your backyard, but there are other benefits as well. Paint helps protect wood surfaces from the elements and pests like chicken mites. Painting the interior of the house also makes it easier to clean out.

The Best Types of Paints for Chicken Coops

But not all paints work well for chicken coops. Many paints are loaded with chemicals that are toxic to animals, including chickens. So one of the most important things to know about painting a chicken coop is what paints are safer for your flock.

Non-toxic, water-based paints are the best choice when you’re looking for pet-friendly paints. As for gloss, some opt for a higher gloss for ease of cleaning, others for a lower gloss to make it gentler on the eyes.

A Note on Color

Most people are used to the idea of animals being colorblind. However, chickens can see color very well. There is some debate online as to what colors chickens prefer. In general, the color should not impact the mood of your flock but try to steer clear of red paint, as this may agitate your chickens.

Do I Have To Use Primer Before Painting a Coop?

The goal of primer is to help paint better adhere to a surface, especially when you are painting on bare wood. Because your coop paint is likely to be exposed to extreme conditions such as weather and chicken claws, adding primer will help your paint job last much longer.

Paint vs. Stain for Chicken Coops

Wood stain is another alternative that some prefer to painting their coops. There is no “correct” answer as far as which is better for your coop. Wood stain is faster to apply, takes less time to dry, and offers a more natural look. Paint takes longer but offers a cleaner look for your backyard. If you opt for wood stain, be sure to add a varnish top coat for extra durability and protection.

Chickens are a wonderful addition to your household yard. ECOS Paints has the pet paints and primers you need to keep your chickens’ coops beautiful and protected.