Creosote around outside perimeter

[lmterp]

Greetings. My husband would like to improve security around the (outside) perimeter of our run, and is considering using railroad ties. I am concerned about the creosote. I do let the chickens out daily for supervised free-ranging, and toward the end of the jaunt, they often hang out just about where the railroad ties would go.

 

[saysfaa]

I would not use them where the chickens can reach them. I would use them for vegetable gardens if the chickens were not in there much. https://www.bhg.com/gardening/veget...s-okay-to-use-to-construct-vegetable-gardens/

However, how are y'all planning to use it?
If it a barrier, most predators will go under them. If it is as something solid to attach the fence to along the bottom then it should work. I'd catch and take away any sawdust or drill dust, though - maybe a small risk but easy to do.

 

[blackdog043]

To improve security, put a wire apron around the run, this will prevent digging. @aart has a couple good links on this.

 

[aart]

Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[Boise-girls]

Ironically, the only time I've had problems with carpenter ants was years ago when I had old railroad ties around flower beds at a previous home.
Consumer use of creosote has been banned in some countries because of its toxicity, but it's still allowed in some industrial applications like railroad ties due to limited alternatives. I would personally not use railroad ties, especially around anything I was going to eat (e.g., eggs). I can't imagine it would be good for the chickens, either.