Chickens and poison ivy

topknot19 said:

Interesting posts about chickens eatging Poison ivy! I have poison ivy growing now near my coop and the chickens seem to ignore it. But I am worried that my DW will brush against it or the pullets will give it to her and then I will be in deep trouble.

Is there a herbacide that can be safely used in spot spraying around the pullets? In past summers BC (before chickens) I just used Ortho weed and brush killer a couple of times early in the summer and that took care of the poison ivy for the summer.

Any suggestions on how or what to spray around the coop and in the area where the pullets free range?

Thanks,

topknot

Judy said:

Well, maybe I'm playing with fire, but I just use Roundup, and have free ranging hens. Never had a problem from it. I spray weeds that they don't eat anyway. If they would eat them, I would not need the Roundup....

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My chickens free range during the day so cant take chance on using herbicides and no pesticides as I have dogs and cats also. White vinegar with some liquid detergent added will kill poison ivy/oak. Spray the leaves and stems as far down to ground as possible and it will kill the root which makes is much easier to remover the root and all..but be sure to wear gloves etc when removing roots and please don't burn them as they will put fumes into the air which could affect people that are really sensitive to it. Discard in trash. Mix 1/4 cup detergent to 1/2 gallon on vinegar. The dtergent help the solution stick to leaves and stems.

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