I did a search and did not find any information about this topic.  I have some old PT wood that was used for a handicap ramp for the past 25 years.  It is a bit unsightly, but I am sure the birds won't mind.  As I understand it, they just rent some space for a short while anyway and decorate it to their own tastes and affordability.  My only concern is there are some residual toxins in this old wood that may damage any of the birds that will inhabit the temp dwellings.  Do you know of any reason to not use it for the birds health and safety?  Thank you for stopping by.

Edited February 14, 20197 yr by FlGatorwood
correct some spelling

Depending on its age, it may contain CCA, (chromated copper arsenate), and arsenic is not something young birds should be exposed to.

John

I have one bird house (a gift) made from it. The sparrows have used it for years with no ill effects. 

Oh, now I remember that CCA wood.  This may be treated with it since it was in that time frame of 2000 to 2003.  I can't remember which year it was but in that time frame.  So, because I don't know and I do not wish to see baby birds have to struggle more than they have to, I will just purchase some regular pine and paint the exterior with exterior paint.  That way I will feel better about the birds and I can just spray and paint periodically.  Thank you, gentlemen.  

That's a better plan Steve.  I really do not know about the newer types of PT lumber, but it used to be not recommended for bird houses and such.  You could kick it up a notch and use cedar lumber for a more durable house; or take it down a notch and look for some suitable pallet material.  There is a local HVAC warehouse by us and some of their equipment comes packed in long crates made with 1x6 material.

 

What species of birds are you wanting to house?  They all have their own preferences as to style, size and location...

Any zoning or inspection requirements you have to meet?

16 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

I did a search and did not find any information about this topic.

what I have...

 

What is pressure-treated wood?

Over 70 years ago, Dr. Karl Wolman invented the process of infusing preservative deeply into wood products. Today, a giant industry has grown up around his quest to invent a wood that can last forever.

Pressure treating is a process that forces a chemical preservative deep into the wood. The wood product is placed into a humongous cylindrical holding tank, and the tank is depressurized to remove all air. The tank is then filled with the preservative under high pressure, forcing it deeply into the wood. The tank is then drained and the remaining preservative reused. The wood is removed from the tank and prepared for shipment to your local lumberyard.

Needless to say, this process makes the wood quite unappetizing to all vermin, insects, and fungus, which accounts for its 20 year plus lifespan under the harshest conditions!

Currently, there are twelve levels of pressure treatment.  These are based on the intended use of the product.  This chart is courtesy the American Wood-Preserver's Association (AWPA):

Use Category

Brief Description

UC1

Interior Dry

UC2

Interior Damp

UC3A

Exterior Above Ground, Coated with Rapid Water Runoff

UC3B

Exterior Above Ground, Uncoated or Poor Water Runoff

UC4A

Ground Contact, General Use

UC4B

Ground Contact, Heavy Duty

UC4C

Ground Contact, Extreme Duty

UC5A

Marine Use, Northern Waters (Salt or Brackish Water)

UC5B

Marine Use, Central Waters (Salt or Brackish Water)

UC5C

Marine Use, Southern Waters (Salt or Brackish Water)

UCFA

Interior Above Ground Fire Protection

UCFB

Exterior Above Ground Fire Protection

This information is required to be posted on each board and is either marked with ink on the board or on a plastic tag that is stapled onto the end of each treated board.  Generally speaking, this is not something for you to be concerned with, since your local lumberyards will only carry the types suitable to your climate.  Always let the salesman know the eventual location of the PT lumber... above, on or below grade... so that you can make the best purchase!

 

PRESSURE TREATED WOOD -USE CAUTIONS.....pdf

15 hours ago, HARO50 said:

Depending on its age, it may contain CCA, (chromated copper arsenate), and arsenic is not something young birds should be exposed to.

John

the chemical life of PT was considered to be 40 years...

Instead of buying pine buy something to line the inside with.  Easier to clean and low maintenance. 

Why not buy a roll of thin tin sold for gutter and valley use from a lumber yard. 

     Use a safe piece of wood for the floor and build the house or rooms around and over it...I cup the floor so the eggs will stay in the middle of the floor as some birds don't use a whole lot of  bedding material.. Put a two piece pipe set up in the ground with a hinge in the middle so you can make it with a break away hinge so each spring you can lower the houses down and clean them to get ready for more happy couples.. I use pop rivets in the upper sections but screws for the tin to be secured to the wood floors is good and quick most of the time for construction purposes but any way is okay. I have read where some birds will not use a house that has been painted because of the smell so its best to  keep that in mind while contracting out you services to the bird population...  I also use small wood strips around the upper walls so this way I have something to attach the roof panels to if you don't use pop rivets. I have this little set of hole popper pliers for the holes the rivets are inserted in and squeezed to make a quick attachment. These are available almost anywhere except Starbucks and Taco Bell.                                                                                                                                           Jess                                                      If you don't know what a break over bird house pole is Google it!..or I can take a picture of mine and show it!

Edited February 15, 20197 yr by Smallpatch

18 hours ago, lew said:

I have one bird house (a gift) made from it. The sparrows have used it for years with no ill effects. 

Did you inoculate your sparrows against arsenic? 

12 hours ago, Cal said:

That's a better plan Steve.  I really do not know about the newer types of PT lumber, but it used to be not recommended for bird houses and such.  You could kick it up a notch and use cedar lumber for a more durable house; or take it down a notch and look for some suitable pallet material.  There is a local HVAC warehouse by us and some of their equipment comes packed in long crates made with 1x6 material.

 

What species of birds are you wanting to house?  They all have their own preferences as to style, size and location...

Any zoning or inspection requirements you have to meet?

Cal, I had not thought of the zoning, permits and building inspections.  Thank you so much for reminding me of all that prep work that must be done before the building can begin.  I suppose I'll have to get engineers to go over my drawings to ensure that code requirements are satisified.  Then all the phone calls and places to go to get inspectors and such.  This is going to be a bigger job than making a book case.  

12 hours ago, Stick486 said:

what I have...

 

What is pressure-treated wood?

Over 70 years ago, Dr. Karl Wolman invented the process of infusing preservative deeply into wood products. Today, a giant industry has grown up around his quest to invent a wood that can last forever.

Pressure treating is a process that forces a chemical preservative deep into the wood. The wood product is placed into a humongous cylindrical holding tank, and the tank is depressurized to remove all air. The tank is then filled with the preservative under high pressure, forcing it deeply into the wood. The tank is then drained and the remaining preservative reused. The wood is removed from the tank and prepared for shipment to your local lumberyard.

Needless to say, this process makes the wood quite unappetizing to all vermin, insects, and fungus, which accounts for its 20 year plus lifespan under the harshest conditions!

Currently, there are twelve levels of pressure treatment.  These are based on the intended use of the product.  This chart is courtesy the American Wood-Preserver's Association (AWPA):

Use Category

Brief Description

UC1

Interior Dry

UC2

Interior Damp

UC3A

Exterior Above Ground, Coated with Rapid Water Runoff

UC3B

Exterior Above Ground, Uncoated or Poor Water Runoff

UC4A

Ground Contact, General Use

UC4B

Ground Contact, Heavy Duty

UC4C

Ground Contact, Extreme Duty

UC5A

Marine Use, Northern Waters (Salt or Brackish Water)

UC5B

Marine Use, Central Waters (Salt or Brackish Water)

UC5C

Marine Use, Southern Waters (Salt or Brackish Water)

UCFA

Interior Above Ground Fire Protection

UCFB

Exterior Above Ground Fire Protection

This information is required to be posted on each board and is either marked with ink on the board or on a plastic tag that is stapled onto the end of each treated board.  Generally speaking, this is not something for you to be concerned with, since your local lumberyards will only carry the types suitable to your climate.  Always let the salesman know the eventual location of the PT lumber... above, on or below grade... so that you can make the best purchase!

 

PRESSURE TREATED WOOD -USE CAUTIONS.....pdf

Gees, now where are the Excedrin Migraine pills?  I have a splitting headache.   

11 hours ago, Smallpatch said:

Why not buy a roll of thin tin sold for gutter and valley use from a lumber yard. 

     Use a safe piece of wood for the floor and build the house or rooms around and over it...I cup the floor so the eggs will stay in the middle of the floor as some birds don't use a whole lot of  bedding material.. Put a two piece pipe set up in the ground with a hinge in the middle so you can make it with a break away hinge so each spring you can lower the houses down and clean them to get ready for more happy couples.. I use pop rivets in the upper sections but screws for the tin to be secured to the wood floors is good and quick most of the time for construction purposes but any way is okay. I have read where some birds will not use a house that has been painted because of the smell so its best to  keep that in mind while contracting out you services to the bird population...  I also use small wood strips around the upper walls so this way I have something to attach the roof panels to if you don't use pop rivets. I have this little set of hole popper pliers for the holes the rivets are inserted in and squeezed to make a quick attachment. These are available almost anywhere except Starbucks and Taco Bell.                                                                                                                                           Jess                                                      If you don't know what a break over bird house pole is Google it!..or I can take a picture of mine and show it!

Excellent ideas.  The nesting season is usually over by the time hurricanes come rushing in.  Since you have posted this idea, I can remove the bird house and store it before the hurricanes arrive.  My plans were to make something for chickadees and titmouse.  My plan was to have a 3 apartment complex and mount it on top of a gas light pole.  The gas light has been gone for over 40 years, but the chickadees built in the top of the pole.  I will find a boot that a bolt will run through to the base plate and will tighten it while nesting season is active.  I wonder if engineering will approve of that? Now I wonder which permits I will have to pull and what licenses I will need.