Chickens & Lawn Care

[pickledpurls]

I just had Tru Green come and fertilize our lawn and do grub control. (We've been using them for years) They told us to keep children and pets off for 24 hours.

UGH! I couldn't let my chickens out last night and I couldn't look at them either as they were all bunched at the gate anticipating me opening it for them. I ended up going into the run with them and giving them treats for about 1/2 hour, then they headed to the coop to roost. I was actually happy that it was rainy and dismal.

So you let them out afterwards and they have suffered no ill effects? No problems with eggs either?

 

[Adenium]

I wonder how much research or testing has been done on this. They say it's OK after 24 hrs but I bet it's not intended for poultry. Birds are more sensitive to many things than cats and dogs....so even with the MSDS in hand who really knows? We'd like to spray for ticks but have this same worry.

 

[mondotomhead]

So you let them out afterwards and they have suffered no ill effects? No problems with eggs either?

This was last night. I won't let them out until tonight when I get home from work. I did call Tru Green about this previously because I did NOT want them to use any pesticides. They assured me they only use fertilizer, no pesticides. When they were here the last time I let the chickens out the following day and everything was OK with my chickens.

I haven't noticed anything with the eggs. What would I look for or what would be different if there was something wrong?

 

[pickledpurls]

This was last night. I won't let them out until tonight when I get home from work. I did call Tru Green about this previously because I did NOT want them to use any pesticides. They assured me they only use fertilizer, no pesticides. When they were here the last time I let the chickens out the following day and everything was OK with my chickens.

I haven't noticed anything with the eggs. What would I look for or what would be different if there was something wrong?

Oh, ok. My husband has set up a pest control company to come today and use a fungicide on the lawn. It is called Harvest. I called the company who makes the product. They told me that since it is a fungicide it will not harm the chickens. Just like people/dogs etc after the product has dried it is fine. She further stated that you could spray directly on tomatoes, fruit / veggies and eat them and it would not harm you. HOWEVER... since this product is formulated for residential lawn/garden there has never been a study done for a "grazing chicken", she could not say for certain what if any residue would be present in eggs/meat of a chicken.

 

[ejctm]

Personally, I would not put ANYTHING chemical onto the areas my chickens free range on. Our "lawn" is now the chickens' area and we have given up on trying to keep it looking nice, we just try and ensure it is green enough to provide them with grazing, which means resting it now and then so it can regrow or they eat it too close and decimate it. Oh, and they also like to scratch and dig holes to bathe in the dirt - did you tell your hubby that!! lol

I expect fungus will be the last of his worries when the chickens really get to work!

But seriously, you may have to choose between nice lawn and happy/healthy chickens and for me that was not too hard a choice to make.

Have you thought about the amount of chemicals that are absorbed by the grass when sprayed and then eaten by the chickens? You would not spray a lettuce leaf with fungus chemicals and then eat it 24 hours later yourself would you?

Hope you can resolve this "issue" at home.

Best of luck

 

[ChickiesInUtah]

I too hope you can resolve this issue. My dh and I have had similar debates regarding weed killer and our cat. I know "they" say it's ok after 24 hours or whatever but I'm really leery.

We don't have a huge weed issue so my dh backed down.

 

[pickledpurls]

I too hope you can resolve this issue. My dh and I have had similar debates regarding weed killer and our cat. I know "they" say it's ok after 24 hours or whatever but I'm really leery.

We don't have a huge weed issue so my dh backed down.

The outcome is of course that the lawn will be sprayed today. My hens are in the coop/run today and the coop is closed up and the run has a tarp around the lawn side so that no "overspray" will get to them. My hens will have to stay in the pen and not be free ranging birds.

For some this is a no-brainer. But my husband LOVES his lawn. It is his hobby and what he loves to do. I knew this before I got the chickens so I will just make do.

 

[ChickiesInUtah]

For some this is a no-brainer. But my husband LOVES his lawn. It is his hobby and what he loves to do. I knew this before I got the chickens so I will just make do.

I totally get it. Our lawn is important to my husband too. I fall more into the "as long as it's mostly green and not up to my knees" boat.

 

[dainerra]

well, given how chickens tend to destroy the lawn, it would probably be easier to just not let them free-range. he's going to be pretty resentful when the girls make a big dust bath in his manicured sod.
It might be better to make a bigger run and keep them occupied with treats and such.

 

[ejctm]

The choice between a happy husband and happy chickens - now THAT is a bit harder!!!