Wood ash + baby chicks = bad?

[SilkieCanada]

I put some wood ash in my dirt pit in the backyard. If the baby chicks that are under 1 month get into it, is it dangerous?

 

[JulieNKC]

My broody mommas take their babies where we dump our fire pit ashes for dust baths. Guess if chicken mommas are encouraging the babies to roll around in it it must be ok.

 

[chickmchickie]

Only if they get wet and there water sitting around then and they drunk it.. as a soap maker the old timers would take ashes and soak them to make lye.. lye is bad for chickens to eat for drink.. ashes = water makes lye

 

[A.T. Hagan]

So long as it's not contaminated with anything nasty then wood ashes make for a good dusting material.

Had a hen once that couldn't wait for the burn pile to cool and rolled in it until she got down to a hot coal. Didn't take her long to look at it!

 

[SilkieCanada]

thanks guys!

 

[BoltonChicken]

Be positive that the ash contains NO burned pressure treated wood. There would be large amounts of arsenic in the ash of PT wood. If you have find or have hardwood ashes from fireplaces, that would be fine. Many put that into their runs/coops so the chicks can take dirt baths.

 

[SilkieCanada]

Quote:
I bought wood that was just birch wood for firewood. I think its just cut, chopped and sold.

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

Quote:
Unless it is old pressure treated wood. They don't use arsenic any more.

 

[SilkieCanada]

Its all news to me. How do I know if its pressure treated wood?