Creosoting chicken houses

Anne W

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I am going to creosote my new chicken house. Now this is a bit embarassing for me :oops: as I have always gone on at my husband something alarmingly when he has used creosote near my animals, birds or plants as I had always believed it to be dangerous. But, I have read numerous times that it is a good treatment and prevention against red mite. I had to swallow my pride and ask him if he could use it to paint the house :? He's never stopped gloating about it since! :evil: Can I just ask;

a) Am i right in thinking it is a good idea

b) How long should I leave it before using the house - I was going to leave it at least a month as I haven't got the chucks for it yet but I have other houses and it would be useful to know incase I need to do it again and need get them back in.

c) anyone heard of anything detrimental about having used it.

I'm still very anxious about using it - gives me a dreadful headache when I'm around it. :?
 
I left mine a month after creosoting anne and my pekins seem fine in there.
i'm now awaiting warmer weather, then i';m gonna do the growers house too
 
I always wait a month before putting birds back in. Some people wait less though.

However, its worth noting that its the old fashioned creosote that works. The stuff you buy in DIY stores today isn't the stuff to use. You need to farm grade stuff in big barrels from farm merchant places. Its potent stuff and so a good month of airing out is what I'd advise.

I'd also not paint it this time of year either but wait till spring as a) warmer weather to dry it out and air it and b) closer to the red mite season and should be then far more effective in keeping the red mite at bay.
 
Yes, husband gets the farm stuff - you are dead right it is potent stuff :shock: Good point about waiting - not planning on getting them until spring so best to wait.
 
our seemed ok to go back in after 4-7 days (of leaving all poss ventilation points open, and we are on top of a hill!)
 
Ha! :lol: Laxative and cough remedy!! :shock: Case of kill or cure if You ask me. :lol:
 
Hi Anne,

I've used creosote on all my chicken and geese houses (which are all home made). I agree with the others that the best time to do it is in the spring/summer as it is quicker to dry. Having said that I've just creosoted a new small coop and it has dried out fine. It's been left standing for 3-4 weeks and is now ready for use. It's a great wood preservative and keeps the bugs at bay. Not very nice to apply though. If it physically gives you a headache, get someone else to help you! There doesn't seem to be any effect on the birds - just make sure it's dry and the odour has gone before you put your birds in.
 
That's good then. Yes - it does give me a really bad headache so as my husband has always been such a fan of creosote I will give him the pleasure of doing it - I'm not one to deprive anyone of any pleasure :lol:
 
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