can i use old painted boards or old cedar to build coop?

[SeattleChickenHead]

I got some old fencing and an old deck in the trash heap, Im planning on raising my chickens as organic as possible but also cheaply, is it ok to use some of my old scrap wood for coop building? I have painted fencing and old stained cedar, I mostly wanted to use it for framing...is this ok? or should I get virgin pine or what? Im on a budget here but want healthy chickens, help? BTW, I grew up with chickens and this is something my parents wouldnt have hesitated doing, but Im not sure if its healthy or not....Thanks

 

[BWKatz]

No proble. If ur worried about them pecking leaded paint just sand it off & repaint or stain.

&

 

[roosters4sale]

Hey, Seattle. Most decking is treated lumber ,which, is frowned upon. And so is painted lumber, because when it peels the hens will ingest the paint. The cedars great if there was no stain. I like the pine idea. Maybe sand down the cedar and the painted wood for savings.

 

[SeattleChickenHead]

Thank you, Ive decided to use the old stained cedar and pass on the chippin paint stuff, I dont have a planer and dont really want to do it with sandpaper (bad for my health) if I have to I may buy a few pieces of virgin lumber, for the outside area Ill use cedar posts sitting on brackets, wrapped in 1/2" wire mesh....

For those of you with painted coops, are you using special no VOC paint or just any outdoor paint or what?? Do the organic people use paint? Over time would paint leach into the surrounding soil?

 

[racuda]

I must say I have never seen my chickens pecking on their coop...

 

[SeattleChickenHead]

Also was wondering how the organic chicken farmers felt about using plywood? Ive heard the glues off-gas toxic chemicals? Ok if enough ventilation? Ok till it starts to break down? Ok if painted? Could I be certified Organic and have a painted plywood coop with caulking and such? Opinionated either way?