Chickens exposed to herbicide

[angela0408]

We sprayed an area of burrs and our chickens got into the area and were pecking around for several hours before we discovered them. The herbicide was sprayed at the indicated dilution as per the bottle for broad leaf killing. They are 1 year old (started laying this November) and have not yet molted yet. I have been feeding table scraps and their own egg shells back as well as 16% crumble, but have not been feeding additional calcium. About 24 hours after being exposed to the herbicide, I noticed the next morning that I had a "jelly egg" that was broken and noticed that two of the chickens had no feathers. I also cracked one of the other eggs and the yolk was already broken and appeared to have white streaks in it. Other than the missing feathers and the weird egg from the one chicken, they are active, healthy and are eating well. They are "normal". So considering they have not molted yet and I have not been feeding a calcium supplement was the whole feather, egg thing a coincidence or was the herbicide the culprit. If so, what would the general opinion be as to how long we should wait to eat any eggs to be safe. I would think that a toxin would pass through such a small body relatively quickly and considering how otherwise healthy the chickens are, how worried should we be? Any opinions and thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Pintail01]

Angela,

I've been in the Ag Chemical business for 18 years. Most of the herbicides that are available today for the homeowner or hobby farmer aren't toxic to verterbrates. You should always check the label and look for "restrictions" before you apply. In most cases, as soon as the herbicide has dried on the leaf blades anyone with two or four feet is allowed back in. I cannot think of one herbicide off the top of my head that is connected with avian toxicity. The herbicides containing Glyphosate, 2, 4-D, picloram, triclopyr, dicamba, and mecaprop, are just a few that are very common and should pose no threat under proper label use.

 

[angela0408]

Thank you Pintail01, that makes me fell MUCH better. I'm getting some calcium today for them and I suspect that will solve a lot of my problems.

 

[chickNjake]

I have no idea, just popping in to say I hope all is well

 

[Farmgirl1878]

Angela,

I've been in the Ag Chemical business for 18 years. Most of the herbicides that are available today for the homeowner or hobby farmer aren't toxic to verterbrates. You should always check the label and look for "restrictions" before you apply. In most cases, as soon as the herbicide has dried on the leaf blades anyone with two or four feet is allowed back in. I cannot think of one herbicide off the top of my head that is connected with avian toxicity. The herbicides containing Glyphosate, 2, 4-D, picloram, triclopyr, dicamba, and mecaprop, are just a few that are very common and should pose no threat under proper label use.

Does anyone know if triclopyr is toxic if the chickens eat the dying plants (after the triclopyr has dried and all other directions have been followed)? I’m just wondering if I should fence off the area I need to spray as it’s one of their favorite areas to scratch for worms in the leaf litter...