Do I paint inside my chicken house or not?

[StinkyAcres]

The mixture is largely water so yes it does saturate into the wood; the lime is dust so even subsequent coats penetrate. Also, the more coats the whiter it become; the 1st coat goes on translucent, leaves one wondering if a mistake has been made, drys to white.

There is no change to the surface of the wood, does not harden.

I too have read it is anti-fungal.

As I indicated above this is back in the day stuff. Not a lot of science just decades of farmers using it inside barns, coops, etc. and word of mouth collaborating it works.

I bought a bag of hydrated lime, did two coats and still have half the bag left. $17 for a 6kg bag at the time I purchased, $23.99 today.

Hard to understand why one would not use it for animal enclosures if other than a wood finish is desired.

Thanks for all this information. You got me interested. What is the lime to water ratio? Do you think it can be painted on while the birds are currently living in the coop?

 

[Ted Brown]

... What is the lime to water ratio? Do you think it can be painted on while the birds are currently living in the coop?

Lots of info online - https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Whitewash

"Hydrated lime in large amounts or over a long period of time is dangerous to animals and people." I believe this is referring to lime in it's powdered form. However, - good info here https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/hydrated-lime-hurt-animals-18003307.php

My coop was painted before I introduced chickens so I have no direct experience. However, after the whitewash is mixed (one does not want to be breathing lime powder), there is no odour and the only thing that is off gassing is water. Given moderate temperatures and low humidity it drys in a few short hours. I am guessing but the worst that could happen is a bird pecking or brushing while it is wet. I doubt this will have any negative effect. Note from my pictures that pecking is common, I have not had any birds laying upside down with white beaks.

Chickens underfoot while painting you can judge for yourself.

 

[Ted Brown]

@Cluck Cluck 25 My apologies, while my posts are related to your question it may seem your thread got hijacked - not intended!