Im-peck-able chicken coops

01 Dec 2022

When it comes to sprucing up your chicken coop it doesn’t hurt to add some colour and flair and make your chicken’s home egg-stra special. We think the chickens won’t mind a bit of style either, so why not get creative with a variety of Resene colours and brighten up your chook’s home with these ideas from Outpost.

Painting your chicken coop will keep it looking better for longer, as unpainted timber will lose its colour over time when exposed to the weather.

As most chicken coops are made of wood, they all benefit from some sort of wood preservative. Outpost recommends Resene Lumbersider paint tinted to the colour of your choice or Resene Waterborne Woodsman oil stain.

The good news is both of these options are waterborne and Environmental Choice approved.

Let loose when choosing colours. Try Resene Lumbersider tinted to a vibrant green like Resene Green Pea, a sweet orange like Resene Gold Drop or a blue based red like Resene Shiraz. Do make sure the paint is dry and cured before the flock move in. 

Create your own classic barnyard style chicken coop using Resene Lumbersider tinted to a red such as Resene Flash Point, with contrasting white framing using Resene Hint Of Grey.

If it is the natural look you’re after, opt for a wood stain like Resene Woodsman Heartwood or a darker Resene Woodsman Oiled Cedar to complement the green and earthy tones on your farm and in your garden. 

This 4 bay chicken coop is painted in a bright blue, such as Resene Half Resolution Blue, a clear blue dedicated to summer fun.

Thinking of painting the interior wood surfaces of your coop? This is a great idea before adding chickens, it will help protect the wood, make it harder for chicken parasites to hide out, and make the coop easier to clean. Start with a good waterblast to clean out your coop if it isn’t new, and leave it to dry out completely before painting.

Opt for a light colour when painting the inside of your coop. Chicken egg production is naturally affected by light, so a nice light colour inside your coop may help to extend your chicken’s laying season.

Avoid any shiny reflective gloss or enamels, or painting the inside of your coop red as chickens tend to peck at this colour. A light colour also makes it easier to see any pests such as red mites that might be hiding out in your coop.

For a coop that blends in with the natural surroundings, try a natural, warm looking wood stain such as Resene Waterborne Woodsman Heartwood.

These pesty mites are the bane of backyard chicken owners. Although it won’t prevent red mites from returning for good, a good wash and couple of coats of paint will help with clearing these out, as well as making your coop easier to clean.

Do keep in mind that paint for your chicken coop floor needs to be robust as it has to deal with being scratched at by claws day after day as chickens scratch about in the bedding.

Outpost Buildings make a great range of Kitset Chicken Coops that are strong and relocatable designs.

The chickens won’t lose their way home with this brightly coloured coop. Brighten up your coop with Resene Lumbersider tinted to the dynamic green Resene Dizzy Lizzy, a florid purple such as Resene Daisy Bush, and an enthusiastic red such as Resene Red Hot.

Published: 01 Dec 2022