Would it be ok to use either a wood stain or paint to protect the wood on my recently built birdhouse ?

I had read where birds like natural settings and was afraid the scent of anything such as paint or finish might prevent them from building a nest inside the house.Would it be ok to use either a wood stain or paint to protect the wood on my recently built birdhouse ?
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=ho鈥?/a>





http://www.helium.com/items/512330-guide鈥?/a>Would it be ok to use either a wood stain or paint to protect the wood on my recently built birdhouse ?
My ex's mom used to just paint her birdhouses with the Eco-friendly paint. And it should be alot easier to find now.


She had a dead tree in her yard, so she sealed it , put it in a hole next to her deck, pruned it up a bit and used it to hang her houses from. My son painted the ';Bird village'; sign. It's very cute and interesting birds live in bird village.
You could try raw (NOT BOILED it's poisonous) linseed oil. It will make the finish water resistant and it looks natural. Actually, you could probably use any edible vegetable oil.
Why not just varnish it to protect it leave it to dry %26amp; it should be ok