Creosote kills chicks

[chrismahon]

Just had the vet around to discuss export paperwork. I mentioned that this year we are relying on Elector biocide and good old creosote, both of which he was familiar with, to control red mite this year. He did advise caution with the creosote. One of his customers (he is a poultry only vet) rears pheasants in extremely well organised and well kept premises (unlike some places he says!) which you would expect to be the last place for health problems. But the he was called out because all the breeder's day old chicks in the shed had died. Samples were taken for toxicology report which arrived a few weeks later. Cause of death -creosote fumes!

Apparently every year the breeder took the shed apart panel by panel and dipped each in creosote. He had being doing that for years. He then reassembled the shed when the stuff had dried off and well before the chicks arrived. Difference was this particular year saw weather like we are having now. Strong sun on the side of the shed heated the panels which then released creosote vapour. With no breeze the vapour built up in the shed until it killed the chicks.

So basically don't rear chicks or young chickens in an enclosed space which has been creosoted. Apparently creocote is now used by the breeder with effectiveness on disease and bugs but without the killer vapours.

 

[Marigold]

A timely warning, Chris -it can't be good for adult birds, either.
Or of course, don't use it in the first place - get a plastic coop!

 

[chrismahon]

Well there are two issues here Marigold. Don't put the adults in too soon because, although it is dark when they go in and temperatures are falling, they must still inhale some fumes. Don't creosote inside the nest boxes at all -ours get really hot in Summer and are not creosoted as I had thought about that issue already.

 

[Sue]

I really don't like creosote at all. I'm afraid I wouldn't use it anywhere near my hens, not even on the fences. We had to buy a small wooden coop last summer in an emergency to house the two new hens arriving in September and it had obviously been creosoted. The smell was awful and it still is awful now 8 months later.

 

[foxy]

Timely warning, this warm weather is taking us all by surprise!

I don't actually like creosote, and prefer a good insecticide, but that is a personal preference. There are a lot of products to choose from out there and they all are relatively safe if used according to instructions.

 

[Sue]

My wooden house was preserved with something called Ecosote which has been developed by the people who make my henhouse for specific use to be safe around the birds. It has hardly any smell at all when using it and when it's dry has no smell. I don't know whether it would kill red mite though, which I assume is why Creosote is used. I think I have a particularly sensitive sense of smell anyway so don't like anything with strong smells such as some types of paint etc.

 

[Marigold]

Good news that you've found something harmless, Sue - if anyone's hens are going to fall over from toxic fumes, it would probably be yours!
(Just joking, you understand....)

 

[Sue]

Marigold, I'm a bit worried that I'm getting a bit of a reputation now!!!!!!!!!!! 07 07 07 07 07 07

 

[Marigold]

Well, Sue, you do post with some interesting and unusual problems, which we all can learn from, and there's no danger of us all dying of boredom with nothing new to read about!

 

[chrismahon]

I had to smile at your previous post Marigold. There is something amusing about the phrase 'toxic fumes' and I can't for the life of me fathom what ? The nickname of one of our nasty neighbours is 'Toxic', I found 'Poison Dwarf' a bit to long to use in conversation.

 

[Sue]

Don't worry Marigold, I'm sure when my current crisis is over there will be another one following shortly! My hen keeping experience has been nothing but drama from the beginning! And to think I decided to keep hens as a relaxing, calming hobby! Therapeutic I read somewhere!!!!!!! Oh really!