Lead-Free chicken wire alternative?

[Tpedroni]

I have been investigating the same issue. I just bought a new roll and noticed the lead disclaimer statement for the first time. It makes me wonder about all the other rolls of hardware cloth I have bought in the past.
From the little bit of investigating that I have done so far I am finding that lead is used as a "flow agent" for zinc in the hot dipped method of galvanizing the metal. I have read that there are electoplated hardware cloths available but at this point I do not know how they compare in price and availability.

Thank you. Yes this all seems correct from what I’ve read. H look for the electroplated hardware cloth.

 

[tsperry88]

Several articles found online. I googled chicken coop lead. I’m happy to share them.

Many years ago I was treated for high levels of lead due to a job that exposed me to it. I'm sensitive to the subject, but I also know how difficult it is to truly avoid it. The first article I read after a quick search was about elevated lead levels in free range chickens. The articles solution was to confine them to a run with known good soil.


I did a little reading and came up with this: Apparently zink used for galvanizing contains lead naturally. Electroplated coatings will contain what is naturally occurring. Hot dipped galvanized coatings may contain between 1 and 2% added lead depending on mfg. Some settles to the bottom of the pot with the dross and some ends up in the final coating. In the end all galvanized coatings contains lead. Hot dipped slightly more. Stainless is the only lead free option. I wonder if nickle can leach from that and cause problems

 

[Folly's place]

Ground and buildings contaminated with old lead paint is the biggest issue, not galvanized hardware cloth. It is difficult to totally avoid lead, or other toxic products (think plastics and issues there), so doing the best possible, and what's practical, all matters.
Us more mature folks have had plenty of contact with lead products, and my lead level is measurable, but not high enough to actively treat. Lead paint, lead fishing sinkers, lead wraps on different items, just a few things I remember.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

More important for the chickens would be making sure there's not old lead paint flakes in their environment, and having soils and paint samples tested if they are next to an older painted building. Blood samples from the birds, and lead levels in eggs, can be tested too.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

And I forgot about those old style painted toys...
Mary

 

[Tpedroni]

Many years ago I was treated for high levels of lead due to a job that exposed me to it. I'm sensitive to the subject, but I also know how difficult it is to truly avoid it. The first article I read after a quick search was about elevated lead levels in free range chickens. The articles solution was to confine them to a run with known good soil.


I did a little reading and came up with this: Apparently zink used for galvanizing contains lead naturally. Electroplated coatings will contain what is naturally occurring. Hot dipped galvanized coatings may contain between 1 and 2% added lead depending on mfg. Some settles to the bottom of the pot with the dross and some ends up in the final coating. In the end all galvanized coatings contains lead. Hot dipped slightly more. Stainless is the only lead free option. I wonder if nickle can leach from that and cause problems

Yes apparently it can. I went with galvanized steel hardware cloth. Stainless steel would have cost three times as much. I hope I’m not making a mistake. Trying to find the balance between healthy and alarmism. Don’t know if I made the right choice.

 

[aart]

I went with galvanized steel hardware cloth. Stainless steel would have cost three times as much. I hope I’m not making a mistake. Trying to find the balance between healthy and alarmism. Don’t know if I made the right choice.

Numerous thousands of people keep their birds inside galvanized mesh runs.
Squelch the alarmism....or have your chickens eggs tested for heavy metals.

 

[Dusty Chicken]

I think we are all trying to find the balance and not over re-act. On the other hand we have also spent our lives finding out in hindsight how dangerous different chemicals are and be proactive before we introduce them into our environment. My main reason for growing my own food and raising chickens has been to have resilience in my food security and also to feed my body a higher quality of food than what is available in my local store. When I unknowingly introduce toxins into my environment that defeats the purpose. It is my responsibility to investigate to the best of my ability what I am putting into my food.

I was surprised that when I posted on Amazon asking if the hardware cloth I purchased contained lead the only answers I received said “Beats me...my chickens don’t care" and “I do not know if it does. But it sure is working fine for us”. On the same day I read about a study linking non-stick pans & fire retardants that coat clothing and furniture to Celiac disease, https://nyulangone.org/news/celiac-disease-linked-common-chemical-pollutants .

 

[Tpedroni]

Several articles found online. I googled chicken coop lead. I’m happy to share them.

I think we are all trying to find the balance and not over re-act. On the other hand we have also spent our lives finding out in hindsight how dangerous different chemicals are and be proactive before we introduce them into our environment. My main reason for growing my own food and raising chickens has been to have resilience in my food security and also to feed my body a higher quality of food than what is available in my local store. When I unknowingly introduce toxins into my environment that defeats the purpose. It is my responsibility to investigate to the best of my ability what I am putting into my food.

I was surprised that when I posted on Amazon asking if the hardware cloth I purchased contained lead the only answers I received said “Beats me...my chickens don’t care" and “I do not know if it does. But it sure is working fine for us”. On the same day I read about a study linking non-stick pans & fire retardants that coat clothing and furniture to Celiac disease, https://nyulangone.org/news/celiac-disease-linked-common-chemical-pollutants .

Thank you. And yes.