Fruit Tree Spraying Risk

[Alhv23]

I have 6 mature leghorns free range inside a fenced fruit tree orchard of 12 trees. I would like to use a copper or sulfur based dormant spray during the winter but am concerned about the health risks to my chickens or the possibility of the spray ending up in the eggs. Does anyone have experience with the use of dormant fruit tree sprays around their chickens?

 

[MyChickens14]

i don't but maybe you could just look into a healthier, natural and more effective spray?

 

[Alhv23]

i don't but maybe you could just look into a healthier, natural and more effective spray?

Any recommendations?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Good luck, orchard spray is off use for chickens even if they lay cackle fruits.

Therefor it is illegal for the manufacturer to give out this information even if they know the answer to your question.

 

[Keeper4ever]

I've been looking into this also, I have 2 Apple trees with some sort of fungal issue, and 6 chickens that right next to the trees and sometimes wander around the yard. Copper seems to be a fairly natural option, unlike other chemical sprays. However it is a heavy metal and builds up in the soil over time, which is lethal for earthworms. Here is a good scientific article. http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/extoxnet/carbaryl-dicrotophos/copper-sulfate-ext.html
It has some info about coppers effect on birds also.

I haven't decided yet if I'll use it. If I do I Probably won't let the hens free range for awhile at least.