Pressure treated wood

[Artic Chick]

I am just in the process of building my coop and run .I have read that you shouldn't use pressure treated wood because the chickens could peck at it and get sick .But as I'm looking up ideas for runs I see people using pressure treated 4X4 posts. It would be easier to use them , otherwise I will need concrete bases for them because they will rot in the ground . Can anyone shed any light on this for me please . Thank you

 

[R2elk]

I am just in the process of building my coop and run .I have read that you shouldn't use pressure treated wood because the chickens could peck at it and get sick .But as I'm looking up ideas for runs I see people using pressure treated 4X4 posts. It would be easier to use them , otherwise I will need concrete bases for them because they will rot in the ground . Can anyone shed any light on this for me please . Thank you

I have pressure treated wood all over the place including in the run. I have never seen any evidence that any of my poultry have been harmed by it.

 

[Sequel]

I have pressure treated wood all over the place including in the run. I have never seen any evidence that any of my poultry have been harmed by it.

I have it too and I haven't seen them pecking at it or anything.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I am just in the process of building my coop and run .I have read that you shouldn't use pressure treated wood because the chickens could peck at it and get sick .But as I'm looking up ideas for runs I see people using pressure treated 4X4 posts. It would be easier to use them , otherwise I will need concrete bases for them because they will rot in the ground . Can anyone shed any light on this for me please . Thank you

I used pressure treated wood for any wood that sits on the ground. I have eight chickens and they are all fine. I have never seen them trying to eat or peck the wood.

 

[Artic Chick]

Thank you so much for the reply. It will be so much easier to use the pressure treated work . There is so much information conflicting out there it's hard to know what's right and what's not .That's why this forum is so great. You can get real advice from experienced people. Thank you so much .

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

The only wood that you want to avoid is Cedar. Cedar is toxic to chickens. Good luck!

 

[DobieLover]

I'm joining the list of those who use PT lumber without issue.
I also haul dead logs and branches out of the woods behind my house for the chickens to roost on and peck. They LOVE those.

 

[paneubert]

The concerns over pressure treated wood come from the chemicals they used to use to pressure treat it. Decades ago. As long as your wood is not 20 years old, you are fine. Think of it like lead paint. It is an old "problem" that is no longer an issue for new construction.

 

[imnukensc]

My entire coop and run is built with PT wood. No problems with or for the chickens at all.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I also use PT wood for anything that touches the ground. Or concrete bases.

I don't feed my birds on top of it. And they don't seem to care about pecking at it at all. Now styrofoam, that's a whole other story!

I did choose NON pt wood for my raised edible garden beds... I just couldn't get past that in my mind and now I wonder if I should also avoid growing edibles in old tires!

Adding your general location to your profile will help peeps make the best suggestion possible at a glance.

Please note that I think cedar buildings are okay, but cedar shavings are not. Big difference between the two and their purposes.