using treated lumber

[G Wiz Ranch]

I used PT wood for the posts and all floor boards (poop contact) but not the roosts, I didn't see the need, it cost more that DF here. But if it was free to me, I would have used it on the roosts too since they get pooed on too.

 

[jubylives]

Quote:
Cyanaide is not and never was used. Treated lumber is now perfectly safe, unless you are making a food cutting board.

Well not "perfectly" safe. It has yet to be determined if it is. I stand corrected on the cyanide. It is arsenic not cyanide. Not sure why I typed that instead but I did know it was arsenic. I should type after a long day at work.

jeremy

 

[jubylives]

Quote:
Wayne is correct. The corrosivness is also responsible for several decks falling off of houses as the hardware was not galvanized dipped or stainless steel.

Also of note. If using it as a roost you could probably paint it and be fine but then you might as well spend the couple bucks for an untreated board. Oh an maybe keep the waterer away from the roost if using treated lumber for the rooost.

jeremy

 

[wilds of pa]

I know i wouldn't use it for roosts. just use plain old wood, better yet get some from a forest or your own wood lot and use, makes the roosts look rustic and the best part of all is its free... we used treated lumber under our floors for the framing only as it it covered by the ply wood then, the chickens are not exposed directly to it..
heres a page i found interesting and you may want to read this
http://www.environmentalhealth.ca/june00HGpressurizedwood.html

thanks
Charlie

 

[MissPrissy]

One other issue with treated lumber is that your chickens and eggs will never qualify as 'organic' by the gov't standards.

The only thing treated in my barn is the exterior steps that are exposed to the weather. The rest is original lumber from c. 1915.

 

[patandchickens]

Please don't use it for a ROOST. THat is the single worst possible place for treated lumber. Regardless of how much you think worries about pressure-treated lumber are bogus and how much credence you place in "I did it and I'm ok so it must always be ok for everyone", chickens spend 50% of their lives standing barefoot on the roost. Really. Make it NORMAL wood!!

Pat

 

[Backswampcub]

Keep in mind that there are currently two types of PT lumber available in the market right now. There is the old ACQ and the new MCQ. The ACQ is available from Lowes and older yards like 84 and builders first source. The MCQ is a new process and is more earth friendly. It uses a different low chemical process. The problem with this is that there are some in the industry that say MCQ is not as good as ACQ. I would have to back this. I laid some scrap on the ground. One ACQ piece and one MCQ piece. After one year the ACQ was good. The MCQ had termite damage. There is also two level of treatments in PT too. Meaning the amount of chemical in it anything .75 or above is rated for ground contact. MCQ is what Home Depot has switched over too. I use MCQ in bird contact areas and ACQ in ground contact areas. Just my two cents.

 

[cmom]

I wouldn't use pt wood for the roosts either but that is my personal choice. I don't know if it is harmful or not. One day you read something isn't good for you and the next year a new study will come out saying it's ok.

 

[bonescrub]

I am currently looking for treated wood alternatives. I dont want to use chemicals around my egg layers and I hope to have meat birds in the future. I feel that the chemicals treating the wood might be "safe" but then again who know 20 years down the road after eating birds that have been exposed to something, what could happen. I will probably use some slightly elevated regular old pine on concrete blacks i guess. No real luck on anything.