What is the best color for chicken coops in 2024? (Updated October 2024)

Deciding on the best color for chicken coops is something many people think about when looking at painting their coop. The color you choose will depend on whether you want the coop to blend into the surrounding environment, influence your chickens behaviors or resonate with your own style and taste in decorating.

From the research we have done, white is commonly chosen, as it is a neutral color that compliments the rest of the buildings on the property. Other people commonly go for a shade of red or brown as it’s a practical as well as traditional color, that will hide the dirt and mud associated with keeping chickens. We have discussed both color choices and paint types for your coop in this article.

There are so many colors to choose from as well as particular types of paint to take into consideration when choosing something safe for your flock. As an environmental scientist and chicken keeper, my chickens’ health is always at the top of my priorities when spending hours of research on products I use for their care. 

If you are curious about the color options and types of safe paint on the market that you can use when choosing a color for your coop, then continue to read through this article to learn more and assist you with your decision.  

What this article covers

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The problem with commercial paints and choosing a paint color that is safe for your chicken coop

Unfortunately using leftover paint may not be the best idea when it comes to painting your chicken coop. Commercial paints generally are full of toxic ingredients that are not good for your chickens. 

Chickens are more sensitive and susceptible to toxic ingredients and paint fumes due to being small lightweight animals. They also like to peck at things so ingesting these toxic ingredients is not what you want for your beloved pets or the eggs you and your loved ones are planning to eat. 

Off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Paints

Many paints contain VOCs that can be toxic. The main ones to consider are formaldehyde and benzene.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, some VOCs are suspected carcinogens (1). 

Formaldehyde is a highly toxic systemic poison that is absorbed well by inhalation. The vapor is a severe respiratory tract and skin irritant and may cause dizziness or suffocation. Contact with formaldehyde solution may cause severe burns to the eyes and skin (2).

Benzene has been found to cause harmful effects on the bone marrow and can cause a decrease in red blood cells, leading to anemia. It can also cause excessive bleeding and can affect the immune system, increasing the chance for infection (3).

The effects on formaldehyde and benzene discussed above are in relation to humans, so you can imagine how the susceptibility increases for a small chicken.

VOCs will also “off-gas” which means that the fumes from the paint will continue to release from the paint over time, prolonging exposure. Off-gassing from paint has been found to occur for years after the paint has been applied (4).

This is why it’s important to choose the safest paint for painting your chicken coop. Your chickens will thank you for keeping them healthy and it also has a positive impact for your own exposure when painting the coop as well as eating the delicious eggs your chickens lay. 

The safest types of paint for your chickens and their coop

Non-toxic, water based paints are the best paints to choose when considering the health and wellbeing of your chickens. After hours of research we have found the four best brands on the market and can highly recommend using these choices for the safe painting of your chicken coop. These paints deliver a high quality finish and come in an excellent array of color choices.

1. The Real Milk Paint Co. Paints and Wood Oils

The Real Milk Paint Company comes in as our favorite pick. They produce paints and varnishes that are 100% organic, food contact safe, VOC free and compostable! The paints come in a huge range of 56 colors. The paints come in a powdered form and you mix them yourself. Although there is an extra element of DIY involved, the benefit to this is less wasted paint as you only mix the amount you require. The paint comes in Sample, Pint, Quart, and Gallon sizes. The Real Milk Paint Company also has a variety of wood oils available for a natural stain enhancement. 

2. General Finishes Milk Paints and Wood Stains

General Finishes Milk Paint is a premium low VOC, self-sealing interior/exterior mineral-based paint with a low-luster sheen. This paint pick comes in as a close second in our research. The paint is low tox and made with more than 50% renewable resources which are formulated from sustainable materials that decrease the carbon footprint. The paint is available in 25 different colors and comes in containers of 1 quart of half pint. General finishes also make a variety of different wood stains which are all low voc and water based as well. 

3. Cuprinol Garden Shades Paints and Woodcare

Cuprinol makes water based paints for outdoor needs. These paints come in a variety of colors and finishes. The paint is water-based, and therefore a safer alternative to other brands on the market. The paints come in a range of sizes with options from quarter gallon, half gallon and 1 gallon containers. Cuprinol paints are purposed for exterior use however there’s no reason these cannot be used on the inside of the chicken coop either. 

4. Backdrop Paints

Backdrop paints are low voc, low odor, green certified and are the first climate neutral certified paint brand. The paints come in a range of 36 colors. The paints are both exterior and interior and come in a semi-gloss or eggshell finish. Size options are 0.5, 1 or 5 gallon containers. This is an acrylic based rather than water based option, so not as good as the others in terms of ingredients however we like that its low odor and low voc.

Chicken Coop Color Schemes

The colors you choose for your chicken coop are going to be based on personal preference and intention. Color can be chosen based on blending in with the surrounding environment, based on color therapy or just whatevers practical for maintenance and upkeep! Below we have outlined some colors that are said to be therapeutic and can have a positive influence on chickens and their behavior. 

• Yellow – bright and happy.
• Orange – attractive to chickens and reminds them of daylight, may encourage egg laying. 
• Red – chickens are attracted to the color red and this color may also have a positive impact on egg laying.
• Purple – regal and relaxing.
• Blue – calming and promotes tranquility.
• Greens – promotes calm and serenity.

Now you know some colors that chickens like, let’s talk about some color schemes that compliment each other for the exterior and interior of the coop.

Exterior colors

• Rusty red with white trim
• Baby blue with white trim
• Sunflower yellow with white trim
• White with a gray trim
• Gray with a white trim
• Light green with a white trim

Interior colors

• Brown
• Light green
• Rusty red
• Baby blue
• Orange
• Lilac purple

For chicken coop plans we recommend checking out www.buildingachickencoop.com who have many different coop plans available!

Further tips for choosing the best color for chicken coops

Hopefully now you have some great ideas of what paint types and color schemes are best for chicken coops. If you are still struggling just keep these tips in mind for further consideration.

• Use lighter colors to brighten an area of your yard or property that is looking dark or bland. 
• If you are going for a traditional homesteading look go for the red exterior with white trim

• Feeling arty? Go to town decorating the coop in a variety of rainbow colors to really brighten up the coop space!
• Or if you are a minimalist just stick to the neutral colors like whites and grays.

We hope that you have picked your color of choice or at least have a few shortlisted now. Just remember to have fun with choosing a color scheme for your coop and don’t overthink it too much! Pick a chicken safe paint from the list above to ensure your flock stays the healthiest they can be. And lastly, be proud that you have done your research in choosing the most appropriate color scheme and paint for your chicken coop.

Perhaps you are also considering a pre-finished chicken coop that does not require painting at all. In this case we can recommend a Nestera chicken coop which is made of durable plastic and easy to maintain.

Chicken Care Shopping List

Are you looking for a shopping list of everything you need when caring for your precious flock? We have put together an easy reference of items for your convenience. 

• Chicken coop
• Wood shavings bale
• Feeder
• Waterer 
• Nesting Box
• Perch
• Layer pellets
• Chicken scratch/grain
• Shell grit
• Chicken Safe Disinfectant
• Coop cleaner
• Chicken dust
• Wormer
• Multivitamin
• Calcium supplement
• Insecticide
• Mealworms

Looking for a unique, cute or hilarious name for your flock members? Check out our article on chicken names.

References

1. Carcinogens – https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2008/04/what-are-vocs-in-paint-and-is-more-or-less-of-them-better/index.htm
2. Formeldahyde – https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/MMG/MMGDetails.aspx?mmgid=216&toxid=39#:~:text=Formaldehyde%20is%20a%20highly%20toxic,to%20the%20eyes%20and%20skin.
3. Benzene – https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/benzene/basics/facts.asp#:~:text=Long%2Dterm%20health%20effects%20of%20exposure%20to%20benzene&text=Benzene%20causes%20harmful%20effects%20on,increasing%20the%20chance%20for%20infection.
4. VOCs – https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/what-is-off-gassing

Chicken Care Shopping List

Are you looking for a shopping list of everything you need when caring for your precious flock? We have put together an easy reference of items for your convenience.