Pressure treated wood for Nesting box?

Poultryprincess · Post by **Poultryprincess** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 1:33 am

Hmmmm I thought "white washing" was lye (lime) based...so would that still mean chemicals in the wood?
Cedar is good for "Moths" so perhaps it would work on mites.
I have some old 1 x 6 cedar fencing, I might see if I can used them in coop.

I like FREE as well Al, my bantams have Kitty litter plastic nest boxes -
Easy to clean, & when a hen decides to set, it's easy to move the box to a private space.
I REALLY like Bobbi's idea for converting a dresser, will keep my eye open for a dresser.

Today I bought my plywood & it's all cut & ready to go.
I saw some designs on web where a plastic tub is used.
I changed the design to fit a 10 x 14" tub inside nest box.

Once the nest boxes are installed I can get the new BB room painted.
The old brooders will go in for now, but hope to build new ones.
My "wish List" is to make some Breeding pens for next year...but I doubt I will have time.

I made my coop a bit smaller where my standard flock stays.
(I'm making a separate small room for "brooding & breeding")
The nesting boxes will be open to the flocks coop, but actually be on the "other" side of the wall, inside the BB room.
The nest box lid will be hinged so I can collect the eggs without going into the coop of the older birds.

I will take pics of the finished product ~~~ THANX for ALL the great suggestions!

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 9:06 am

Poultryprincess wrote:QR_BBPOST Hmmmm I thought "white washing" was lye (lime) based...so would that still mean chemicals in the wood?

oops, sorry, a thread hijack there- yes the whitewash is lime based, it's quite alkaline so it inhibits mould, but I'm not sure what the effect is for mites. Probably just a physical barrier as Doug the CM said.

Ontario Chick · Post by **Ontario Chick** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 9:14 am

You should be able to find out the chemicals used for the pressure treated wood you are planning to use.
It used to be Arsenic, but that has mainly been replaced in the newer version of pressure treated wood.
Whitewash is a natural product and fairly inert once applied, either way you choose your poison.
After all "Angel of Death" and other poisonous mushrooms are also Natural and Organic to boot.

Post by **Home Grown Poultry** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 9:25 am

Very True OC! would you mind posting a pic of your awesome nest boxes?

Ontario Chick wrote:QR_BBPOST You should be able to find out the chemicals used for the pressure treated wood you are planning to use.
It used to be Arsenic, but that has mainly been replaced in the newer version of pressure treated wood.
Whitewash is a natural product and fairly inert once applied, either way you choose your poison.
After all "Angel of Death" and other poisonous mushrooms are also Natural and Organic to boot.