[Yeoman]

I've just got hold of some old wooden hurdles.  They are a bit heavier than the galvanised steel type but they will double up nicely as lambing pens.

The main upright and horizontal pieces are hardwood with a couple an extra softwood horizontal piece added to close up the gap a bit.  As you'd expect, over the years, the softwood has suffered alot more than the hardwood.

I was thinking about treating the wood to extend its life - particularly the bits near the ground and the tops of the uprights.

Does anyone have any experience or thoughts about toxicity issues or will any 'animal friendly' wood preservative suffice?

[landroverroy]

 You are better using an oil based one such as creosote or substitute, rather than the water based ones which are mainly cosmetic and less effective as preservatives.
 The creosote  will smell for a while but once it's dried is quite safe for sheep as they are not renowned for eating wood.
 

[deepinthewoods]

dip end grain in tanalith e.

[Fronhaul]

For complete safety Tung Oil is great but it isn't the cheapest of solutions.  Might be worth it for any parts that could be chewed though.