If your chicken coop is no longer looking its best, or you want to add a touch of personalization to it, then you might be wondering if you can paint it. The good news is you can paint your chicken coop, but there are a few things to know before your jump right in.
Painting your chicken coop is a great way to make your chickens feel more relaxed, as well as adding a unique look to your coop. So, is acrylic paint safe for chickens? Definitely yes! You can use acrylic paint to paint your chicken coop. Always make sure the paint you are using in non-toxic, and keep your chickens away while you are painting.
You want to make sure you always paint while the chickens are not around. Even though non-toxic paint is safe, the fumes can still be dangerous when the paint is wet and drying. Also, the paint needs to be completely dry and odorless before moving the chickens back in to the coop.
Why You Should Paint Your Chicken Coop
Most chicken coops are made out of wood. Painting your chicken coop will give it protection from different weather conditions. If you live in an area where it rains a lot, your chicken coop will be protected from excess moisture and rotting.
My favorite and top pick is always Arteza Acrylic Paints. They have so many different colors, and the quality is amazing! I usually use Arteza Paints for all my projects.
Acrylic paint also makes it easier for you to hose down your chicken coop when you are cleaning it. The chicken droppings won’t get stuck to the paint like they would to the bare wood.
You will also be able to match the exterior of your chicken coop to the exterior of a building it sits next to. For example, if your house is gray, you could paint your chicken coop gray to match your house.
Choosing a light paint for your chicken coop is also beneficial because it can help keep your chickens cooler in the summer and bring light inside the chicken coop. This will help your chickens feel happier and more comfortable.
What is the Best Color to Paint a Chicken Coop?
Chickens can see a very wide range of color. How can you choose the best color when they can see so many? If you are painting the inside of your coop, it is best to stick with lighter colors that will be warm and inviting to the chickens.
For the inside, you should stick with white, soft pink, light blues, even a pastel yellow would be nice. These light colors will increase the light that is shown inside the coop while reducing the heat absorption to keep them cooler inside. Light colors can also work to reduce stress in chickens.
This FolkArt Pastel Set is one of my top picks when it comes to soft pastels. They’re very durable and reliable for outdoor weather.
When painting the outside of the chicken coop, it is recommended to paint it to coordinate with the color of the chicken’s feathers. For example, if you have Rhode Island Reds, you will want to paint the coop a burgundy color. However, if you have White Suffolk, you will paint the coop sky blue.
There aren’t really any other restrictions on what color you should paint your chicken coop, so you can choose whatever you like best. Your chickens will still love their coop no matter what color it is. If you want to paint bright colors, go for it. However, you should stay away from dark colors in the summer due to the absorption of heat.
What’s the Best Paint to Preserve a Chicken Coop With?
Your best option will be to use a paint that is designed for outdoor use. There are plenty of outdoor acrylic paints that will make a great option for painting the inside and outside of your chicken coop. Even outdoor acrylic is water-based and non-toxic.
I recommend this MagicFly Acrylic Paint Set because it’s specifically made for the outdoors. It protects against rain, and other harsh weather.
In addition to acrylic paint, you can use a marine paint or wood preservative. With these you will also want to make sure you choose one that says it is low VOC and safe for the environment. If you choose a paint that is not low VOC, the volatile organic compounds can bother the chickens’ respiratory systems even when it is cured and dry.
Whether you use paint or stain to preserve your chicken coop is completely up to you. One positive thing from using a stain is that it dries way faster than paint does. That means you could get your chickens in it quicker than if you painted it.
How to Seal a Chicken Coop
With any acrylic paint project, it’s always important to seal the paint. Sealing your chicken coop with a waterproof sealant will be beneficial for several reasons. First, it will protect the wood on the inside and outside from getting yet. Extended moisture exposure can lead to wood rot, and waterproofing can prevent that.
I use Krylon Sprays to seal all my acrylic paint projects. Krylon protects against chipping, flaking and even UV rays! You can also choose a glossy or matte finish depending on your preference.
Another reason for sealing your chicken coop is to make cleaning the inside easier. Cleaning is often required once a month or more often depending on how many chickens you have, and the easiest way to clean it is with a hose. A waterproof sealant will protect the coop from moisture.
When you are sealing your chicken coop with a waterproof sealant, you will need to keep in mind that the fumes are bad for your chickens. Painting near your chickens is bad too, so you should make other accommodations for them during the process.
To paint and seal your chicken coop, you will first need to put the coop together. After you have the coop completely assembled, you can start painting.
Make sure you paint the coop completely, leaving no piece unpainted. If you are using acrylic paint, it usually takes a full day to air out completely. Once the pain tis fully dry, then you can seal it.
If you have a large coop, you can also choose to apply the varnish with a brush, as opposed to spraying it on. Apply the first coat using long strokes and thin layers.
It is important to make sure you are putting it on evenly and avoiding any drips. After your first coat, let it dry for four to six hours. You will then paint on another coat and let it dry completely.
For a brush on sealer, I recommend using Minwax sealant. You will also need a flat brush to apply the varnish.
After you have finished painting and sealing, you will need to let the coop dry and air out completely before letting your chickens back inside. The drying process could take anywhere from 4 hours to 3 days, depending on how much paint you used, the weather, and which varnish you used.
Final Thoughts
If you are trying to protect your new chicken coop or spruce up an old one, you are probably considering painting it. Since your chickens are going to be in and around the chicken coop at all times, it is important to choose a paint that is safe for them to be around.
The best type of paint for your chicken coop is acrylic paint. Always remember that when painting or sealing your coop, your chickens should not be around until it’s fully dry. Just make sure to follow my recommend steps and products, and your project should turn out great.
Don’t forget to check out my other articles for all you painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!