Chickens and Lawn Fertilizer

[ChickenMan77]

I think it goes without saying for those who have seen a chicken peck through a back yard that chickens will most certainly eat fertilizer if they see it just like they peck, at and eat, everything else in the yard. My question is, will organic lawn fertilizer hurt the chicken or contribute something to the egg, and or meat of the bird, that would be undesirable or unhealthy for my family to consume? I need to plant new seed this year and fertilize but I am worried about what it will do to the hens. I can keep them locked up in the run for a while. If I do that, how long should I wait till I let them graze the yard again?

 

[Meara]

Your chickens ARE organic lawn fertilizers!
But to answer your question as best I can I think it depends on what you are using. What are the ingredients of the fertilizer? What does the label say?

 

[ChickenMan77]

I'll have to check, it was bought at an all natural yard supply store. I know the anti weed component is corn gluten but I cannot remember what the fertalizer content was off hand.

 

[Den in Penn]

I wait till a good rain to wash it in. Pick a spot without grass and watch that. When it disappears the chickens are unlikely to peck enough up to harm them. The nitrates and phosphates if consumed in quantities can cause problems.