Treated Wood - Is It Safe?

[Jadnils]

Hi,
I'm new here and am about to start building my coop. It's going to be about 7' long by 3'x 3'. I am torn between PVC and wood, leaning towards PVC due to price and it's lighter. I was considering using treated wood but someone told me it was toxic to chickens and to only use untreated wood and paint it. What do you all know about wood? Thanks for any help.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you use treated wood, you cannot certify them "organic".

I use treated wood for anything that touches the ground. The chemicals they are using today are not nearly as bad as the ones they used to use, but it is definitely your call. If you are uncomfortable with the thought, I'd suggest you go with PVC or something else. But do not use untreated wood for anything that touches the ground, unless you use redwood or something really expensive that does not rot that easily.

Anything not touching the ground does not have to be treated, but the area that rain splashes up on can rot pretty quickly if it stays wet much.

 

[Jadnils]

Thanks, I never thought about the "organic" aspect...I am in SW FL so we get lots of rain at times. That's why I wanted to use treated wood. I need to keep expenses down and even if I go with PVC, I still need to build a nesting box out of wood, which I will paint. Guess I can use treated for the legs that touch the ground.