Run floor questions

[Cbethard]

I converted my old pole barn into a coop and aviary, So my question is over a year ago I used to park my old ford 3000 in the barn and it had a diesel leak.

Will the residual diesel in the dirt cause issues for my chicks when I let them out into the aviary?

 

[Jensownzoo]

Yes, it very well might. The aromatic hydrocarbons found in petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel are harmful to pretty much all animals, but thanks to the particular anatomy of the respiratory system of birds, they are actually much more sensitive to the effects. In addition, since chickens WILL dig up the dirt in the run, pecking at it all the way, they will ingest some of it. Cadmium found in diesel fuel accumulates in the muscle tissue, so if you were ever planning on eating them...

If you can't excavate and replace the contaminated soil, you may want to consider laying some sort of impermeable flooring.

 

[Cbethard]

Thanks, I dug it all out and replaced it.