Chemicals

[acates]

I live way back in the woods and about 100 ft from my house is a powerline that goes through the property. When I woke up I saw men spraying around the area. I tried to ask them what they were spraying and they didn't speak English. I told them to stop because I have chickens that free range close to that area. Do you think this will harm them?

 

[Granny Hatchet]

they do that to me too. it is a grass killer and i dont imagine it would be good for the chickens but hopefully they will know to avoid it. mine have not been bothered by it so far. you could try to block it off if you wanted but i have found that if i keep it weed whipped they will pass me by. put a sign up there, no spraying .

 

[Ridgerunner]

Call the power company and find out what chemicals they are spraying. Once you get the name of the chemical ask them what effects it has on your chickens. Then do some independent research to confirm what they say. Don't fall for the tap of believing a site that says all chemicals are bad! They are going to die! They are going to die! It might take a bit of work but try to find out what the real effects are.

It's probably a brush killer herbicide since they don't want trees growing up into their power lines. They want to keep the area open so they have access too. Grass is not a problem for either of these and will help stop erosion, though it may kill grass too.

With EPA regulations, if it harmed wild birds they probably would not be allowed to use it, so it should not affect your chickens either. I'd still want that stuff to dry before I let the chickens or other pets like dogs in there. That's another thing to check though, are the chemicals they are using approved by the EPA for that purpose? They should be following the rules but every now and then you get someone that doesn't. It doesn't hurt for the power company to know that someone is checking up on them. It helps keep them honest. There is bad publicity and some pretty big fines if they don’t follow the rules.

It can be a bit of work and you may have to speak to a few supervisors to get a satisfactory answer, but if you are really concerned this is the way to find out what is really going on instead of just guessing and needlessly panicking.

 

[acates]

Call the power company and find out what chemicals they are spraying. Once you get the name of the chemical ask them what effects it has on your chickens. Then do some independent research to confirm what they say. Don't fall for the tap of believing a site that says all chemicals are bad! They are going to die! They are going to die! It might take a bit of work but try to find out what the real effects are.

It's probably a brush killer herbicide since they don't want trees growing up into their power lines. They want to keep the area open so they have access too. Grass is not a problem for either of these and will help stop erosion, though it may kill grass too.

With EPA regulations, if it harmed wild birds they probably would not be allowed to use it, so it should not affect your chickens either. I'd still want that stuff to dry before I let the chickens or other pets like dogs in there. That's another thing to check though, are the chemicals they are using approved by the EPA for that purpose? They should be following the rules but every now and then you get someone that doesn't. It doesn't hurt for the power company to know that someone is checking up on them. It helps keep them honest. There is bad publicity and some pretty big fines if they don’t follow the rules.

It can be a bit of work and you may have to speak to a few supervisors to get a satisfactory answer, but if you are really concerned this is the way to find out what is really going on instead of just guessing and needlessly panicking.

You would think since I am surrounded by Mark Twain National forrest they would use chemicals that don't harm the animals. I am going to call the utility company. Thanks

 

[Sturmannderss]

They should be able to provide you an MSDS sheet, which will show any possible effects on people/Animals. If I'm not mistaken, the law requires them to have it available.

 

[dawg53]

Probably Roundup weedkiller