lead-free as possible

[SherriPalmer]

Just curious as to his opinion on the chemicals off gassing from that plastic snaplock coop when it heats up in the sun??

I'm assuming you're being serious so I'll give you a serious answer: I believe that the polyethylene needs to reach melting point to give off toxic fumes. In addition, nothing is perfect...we try to cut down on toxins as much as possible given the choices available.

 

[aart]

I'm assuming you're being serious so I'll give you a serious answer: I believe that the polyethylene needs to reach melting point to give off toxic fumes. In addition, nothing is perfect...we try to cut down on toxins as much as possible given the choices available.

Was definitely serious. Hard to know exact chemistry of plastic products, even if they 'state' what it's made out of.
Would be hard to know the exact content of lead and it's 'dissolvability' in the galvanization too.
Sorry just and engineer picking on a chemie. ;-)
We both have environmental concerns, think about materials and their content and impact to a much further extent than most people. His pet peeve is lead, mine is plastics....neither are good in ways, neither are totally avoidable.


On the predator intrusion, sounds like you're going electric, but think about concrete floor in coop, that'll keep 'em out if the electric fails or proves penetrable.

 

[SherriPalmer]

Was definitely serious. Hard to know exact chemistry of plastic products, even if they 'state' what it's made out of.
Would be hard to know the exact content of lead and it's 'dissolvability' in the galvanization too.
Sorry just and engineer picking on a chemie. ;-)
We both have environmental concerns, think about materials and their content and impact to a much further extent than most people. His pet peeve is lead, mine is plastics....neither are good in ways, neither are totally avoidable.


On the predator intrusion, sounds like you're going electric, but think about concrete floor in coop, that'll keep 'em out if the electric fails or proves penetrable.

You have to add: all heavy metals. He is also cautious about plastics. When I asked him the fumes/heat question, his actual answer was something about the whole thing giving him a stomach ache! I'm just glad he didn't throw out the SL coop right then! If you're a "chemie" with pet peeves-- then you must know how hard it is when people don't believe you about environmental hazards. I think my DS can go to extremes, but he got us to stop using lead-glazed plates in the mid-'80s. This morning he said he wanted to use un-galvanized wire and it would be just fine when it rusts. I did NOT agree...I think he is going to use the galvanized wire mesh (1/2") but not let it come in contact with the ground, then an electric mesh fence encircling that. Wire keeps chickens in, electric mesh keeps predators out (also the netting on the top).
He also thought about concrete which is just fine with me- the only issue is that I need the run up in a week or so as the chicks are outgrowing their grow-out pen. I can see him doing the concrete in the future though.
We'll see how this turns out! Thanks for your input!

 

[4 the Birds]

The air that you breathe has more lead particulates from pollution than any contamination you would get from an eroding fence over the years. Soil has lead in it naturally and some locations such as mines have the really high amounts that would be of a concern. I handle lead daily (leaded glass) and I wear gloves. I also solder with a 40% lead metal and I avoid the fumes. Lead for sure can be a concern because once it is in you it does not leave. I can think of a whole lot of other things to worry about before an eroding fence would be on the radar.

 

[aart]

It's hard to pick the safest options when there are so few, almost everything has some kind of toxicity and when you become aware of these things and research the details you find out how bad they can be. Controlling what you can and accepting what you have to compromise on can be depressing. I just try to do as much as I can to avoid adding toxins to the environment and my own body and accept the rest. The anxiety of obsessing over it can be as detrimental to your health as ....say...breathing just some of the lead fumes around 4 the birds' glass studio.

I'm not sure you can even buy ungalvinized fencing....tho I've never looked into it. You could always use some concrete pavers around the bottom of the fence and cop wall....but don't look too deeply into the environmental impact of cement production ;-)
Good Luck!

 

[SherriPalmer]

I'm pretty sure concrete is just fine I don't know what the un-galvanized wire is that he is talking about- it may be called something else. We're going to use the galvanized wire mesh for their main run. Electric netting around the whole area. I avoid lead but don't worry if I'm served on potentially lead-glazed plates every-so-often. We all have our "things". I don't venture far from home if severe weather is predicted and I wouldn't touch a june bug to give the chickens if my life depended on it!! I appreciate the suggestions- the electric mesh and concrete are probably going to work the best for us.

 

[aart]

Cement, one ingredient of concrete, production has a huge carbon footprint.

 

[SherriPalmer]

We so rarely use concrete that I've never looked into it. It sure is hard to find supplies, in general, that don't do harm. Either toxic for us or our animals, or the planet. Plus, the more you know, the less choice you have. Frustrating.

 

[SherriPalmer]

Well, found something! Expensive but DH said he didn't care as long as it was lead-free: chickencondo. Like a big dog pen that is powder coated over steel with a solid roof. It takes 5 min to set up and can be moved to a different location if we change our minds after awhile.
So we ordered the 6x8x6 with mesh predator protection panels. It was, with shipping to MO, $915. I know, outrageous. But we ended up canceling our vacation this summer (health stuff) so this whole chicken set-up is our vacation.

Some people can build things, some could learn, some can't, and some- like my DH, COULD do it, but doesn't have time or interest in doing so. Given our needs of an "instant" set up- the Snaplock coop sitting inside the chickencondo run= perfect for us.

 

[JackE]

Well, found something! Expensive but DH said he didn't care as long as it was lead-free: chickencondo. Like a big dog pen that is powder coated over steel with a solid roof. It takes 5 min to set up and can be moved to a different location if we change our minds after awhile.
So we ordered the 6x8x6 with mesh predator protection panels. It was, with shipping to MO, $915. I know, outrageous. But we ended up canceling our vacation this summer (health stuff) so this whole chicken set-up is our vacation.

Some people can build things, some could learn, some can't, and some- like my DH, COULD do it, but doesn't have time or interest in doing so. Given our needs of an "instant" set up- the Snaplock coop sitting inside the chickencondo run= perfect for us.

That amount of $ would have bought a lot of electrified poultry net. And you get FREE shipping from Premier.
Jack