Pressure Treated Wood for Chicken Run- 2017

[Mcse4u]

I've searched, but I've only seen responses that are over 5 years old, so I figured I'd ask for an updated answer.
Is there any danger to hens if I build a run using pressure treated lumber? I understand formulations for making pressure treated lumber is safer since 2010 or so, but I just wanted to be sure.
Also, any advice on constructing a run that has a mild slope to it? Should I just dig out enough space to make it level? The first 3-5 feet have a few inch decline, then the land flattens out the rest of the way.
Thanks for your anticipated responses!

 

[Howard E]

If your pressure treated wood is marked MCA, it should be OK. I used it in the weather exposed sections of my coop. MCA stands for "micronized copper azole". The copper is ground into microscopic dust, put into a liquid and injected in the wood. The A is for "Azole', a fungicide.

The old stuff was CCA, with the A standing for arsenic, which is a potent poison, which is why it worked so well as a wood preservative to repel bugs and rot. CCA is still allowed and used for below ground applications, like fence posts, etc.

On the slope and such, my thoughts are water needs to move away from the coop and run and gravity works to do this. So any elevation you can provide is good. Think inverted bowl that water runs off of vs bowl that water is trapped within and retained. Any old hump water runs off of is better than a dip that holds it in.

So the upper part that is sloped is OK, but what about the lower flat part? Where would the water go? If it just sits there and goes no where, that would not be good. So an option might be to build up or elevate that part of the site?