Wood Question

[chickity-chick]

Hi all! I built a tunnel run made out of pressure treated pine and hardware cloth stapled to it. I did not seal or coat the wood in any way I just used it how I bought it since the people at the store told me it didn't need to be sealed outside. However I was wondering if this is true, my chickens have been using the tunnel and everything for a while now and its been rained on a bit. Do i need to paint the wood or seal it? Is it going to last how it is? If I need to seal it how do I do that since the hardware cloth is already stapled and everything? I want this tunnel to last. Thank you so much! I look forward to your advice.

 

[chickity-chick]

I'm also freaking out because I just read that the PT wood releases toxins into the soil- are my chickens going to be ok? What do I do?

 

[3KillerBs]

Pressure-treated wood is intended for use outdoors without need of paint or sealant, though only some is rated for direct ground contact.

Toxins USED TO BE a problem -- with the old CCA treated wood that is no longer sold in the USA. The modern treatments are safe.

 

[chickity-chick]

Pressure-treated wood is intended for use outdoors without need of paint or sealant, though only some is rated for direct ground contact.

Toxins USED TO BE a problem -- with the old CCA treated wood that is no longer sold in the USA. The modern treatments are safe.

If its not labeled as the ground kind is it still going to be ok? Is the ground kind just better at withstanding the dirt contact? Or do you need the ground kind to not cause a chemical release problem?

 

[3KillerBs]

If its not labeled as the ground kind is it still going to be ok? Is the ground kind just better at withstanding the dirt contact? Or do you need the ground kind to not cause a chemical release problem?

The ground-contact sort lasts longer -- especially for we who dwell down here in the Steamy Southeast with such excellent conditions for every sort of wood-destroying organism. The toxic CCA combination is not used anymore in the USA.