Our wooden animal houses are already coated with a protective sealant of wood stain or primer. However, to keep a chicken coop in good condition, you’ll need to treat the wood regularly. Exactly how often this should be done, depends on where you put the coop and the weather conditions. The better you treat the wood, the longer it will stay in good condition. A water-based stain or paint (without serpentine) is ideal for pets.