Liming the Chickenhouse
Whitewashed the meat bird half of the Chickenhouse today, using the traditional purist blend of nothing but hydrated lime and water. This is an old school farming standard from Bob, completely new to me. The lime is a very fine powder that comes in bags. Mixing was easy. A power drill mixing attachment churned it to a thickness a bit lighter than regular paint, and then on it went with big brushes. The lime is a bit caustic, so wearing a mask when mixing, and gloves and goggles to avoid splatter, is probably a good idea, although I didn’t this time around. Afterwards (it’s follow Bob’s lead), I did some reading and, not surprisingly, was quite amazed: yet another simple, inexpensive, effective approach that’s been complicated (in this case, into the costly world of high tech paints and sealants). Classic lime whitewash disinfects, repels insects, and preserves by sealing surfaces and wicking up water. It dries to an opaque white that beautifully reflects light to brighten up dim spaces. It’s also safe for animals (which, yes, includes us humans), and can be used in chicken litter to keep it dry. There are lots of applications, interior and exterior, for wood and masonry. It’s not as permanent as oil or latex paint, will rub off a bit, and needs to be refreshed every year to keep it in top shape. But, it’s also INEXPENSIVE: a 50lb (22.5kg) bag was about $7, and you can mix up at least 15-20 gallons from that, the way we used it. That means you could whitewash an entire small building, inside and out, for maybe $20! For big jobs, a sprayer would make it real easy. You can tint it, and there are also various recipes that include alum, salt and other additives that may improve adhesion, but the tried-and-true basic is just lime and water. You need hydrated lime, not the garden stuff; we got ours from the feed store. I’m not sure how popular this sort of whitewashing is these days, but it’s certainly still used, and a few decades ago, this was a standard type of paint. Anyhow, it looks and sounds great, and we’ll see how the chickens like it!
Somewhat related posts: • Chickenhouse inspection • Chickens arrive! • Raw materials • Welcome to the chickenhouse… • New lumber
Deborah said,
April 8, 2008 @ 1:55 am
I’m with you all the way on this. I love whitewash, or badgeon as it’s called in France. I’m using it inside on my old walls, the ones made of sandstone and rubble. Since this house doesn’t have a damp proof course, moisture needs to be wicked up and out of the walls, and no it doesn’t mean I have wet walls as it seems to balance out.
I’ve also started on it in the chicken house and will give it another going over this summer when I refurbish that. I’m hoping that apart from the antiseptic properties the brightness will also help deter red spider mite.
I’ve also used it on the walls and concrete slab around and under my freezer to keep that area white and clean as it’s in an old lean-to. And finally I’ve used it to paint the steps into that storage area. With the difference from bright light outside to the dark interiors of the houses here it was very easy to ‘miss’ the step and tumble the foot or so down into the store area. To my surprise it doesn’t wear off very quickly and withstands brushing. I’ve not tried washing it but since the chemical composition changes on it’s reaction with air after you’ve painted it on, I think it would withstand a bit of washing too.
On the subject of tinting it, someone in France recommended a teabag or two in the mix. Apparently it gives it that antique look. Not tried that myself as I’m after the bright white to lighten up everything.
Luciano said,
April 8, 2008 @ 4:59 am
Here in Portugal it’s still widely used as paint, especially in the South, where the weather is dryer and hotter.
I’ve a mini tiny farm myself, with one and a half acres, altough for self consumption only, and I’m really enjoying reading your blog!
Steve Mudge said,
April 8, 2008 @ 6:33 am
Neat to learn something new–thanks!
Melanie J. said,
April 8, 2008 @ 8:50 am
Been rereading the Little House books again, and Farmer Boy offers the standard whitewash option, when the boys are prepping the cellar for the year’s harvest…very neat to see that it is a “tried and true” method for safely covering walls.
ruralaspirations said,
April 8, 2008 @ 10:08 am
I just love learning something new! I had heard the term “whitewash” but had no idea what its original purpose was. I am very excited to read about this and will definitely put the knowledge into use when our time comes! Thank you.
gintoino said,
April 8, 2008 @ 10:40 am
Here in the south of Portugal white wash was the traditional way to paint the houses. Using it in the chicken house sound a good idea. Do you use it in the inside and outside?
I’ve been reading your blog for quite some time now, I really enjoy it. Keep on the good work!