Run construction questions.

[SouthernMNNewbie]

I have a couple of questions about run construction that I haven't come across exact answers for in this forum:

1. Is there any concern about toxic chemicals in treated lumber, or are the new preservatives safe? I'd like to use treated 4 x 4s and 2 x 4s, but I don't want the chickens pecking at it and ingesting unsafe chemicals.

2. Is a 3' strip of hardware fabric buried a foot deep good enough? What would or would not be able to get through or around that?

Thanks!

 

[teach1rusl]

Most seem to think that modern treated lumber is perfectly safe. My entire run is built w/TL, and I've had absolutely no issues.
Well...your 1 ft buried/2 ft exposed sounds good to me, but most who bury go about two feet down. I didn't bury at all, and have not even finished my skirt all the way around. So maybe I shouldn't be advising at all...lol

 

[trimpy]

I have had chickens in a hoop house with a PT base. They don't peck at it... only the ground. Besides that fact, I also think modern PT lumber is safe. I also use it as borders for raised vegetable beds and I am fairly sure I have suffered no ill effects