Is commercial (non-organic) fertilizer toxic to ducks?

[jmc]

I think I have personal experience that it is

And I've read as much from trustworthy source.

But WHY would it be--even after days and days of rain?

Talking about pelletized 10-10-10 here

How could N, P, or K be toxic to ducks? They need those, do they not?

Perhaps it is a case of too-concentrated an amount in the fertilizer?

Or maybe it is the chemical form in which each is contained in the fertilizer?

Goosedragon, I sure hope you're out there.

 

[Hattiegun]

email goosedragon,,, he'll answer ya..lol

 

[Amiga]

Pelletized fertilizer is designed to release slowly, so that it won't all wash out even after much rain.

As far as I know, N P and K are needed by most if not all living things, including us. But the form matters very much. One example is that ammonia, NH4, has nitrogen in it. But plants cannot take up the N in ammonia. Ammonia is toxic. And ammonia is one of the ingredients in some fertilizers. It kills fish and waterfowl, and can make us sick. But it has N in it.

 

[goosedragon]

Darn it! I had a whole screen full of answer because I thought this subject was important because many Backyarders are/will be spreading fertilizer this Spring. I hit 'submit' and everything I had written just disappeared!
Short answer: YES MANY FERTILIZERS ARE TOXIC BECAUSE OF THE CONCENTRATION OF MATERIALS AND THEIR CHEMICAL MAKEUP. ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AREN'T SAFE EITHER BUT THEY USUALLY ARE LESS CONCENTRATED. IMHO pelleted materials should be worked into the soil, not spread on the top. for lawns use either powdered or liquid materials and either water them in or let them have been rained in before allowing poultry on the grass.
duckmonk I am sorry for your (persummed) loss. If you need more info I have emailed you before but I can be reached at yahoo.com.
Darn this board anyways!

 

[jmc]

gd and others.

thanks much and yes, too bad your 'long answer' got the flush. we are all the poorer.

no bird lost, thank God. and all are okay. but it stinks, the lovely big grass pasture i've provided for them....now i gots ta keep em off it all summer!

10-10-10 'dropped' onto grass..................at suggestion of someone who should've known better.

 

[vlapinta]

My husband put Scott's crab grass preventor, which is a powder form, on our grass 6 weeks ago. Do you think its safe to let the ducks on the grass? This is the only thing he uses. We have had lots of rain so it is long gone into the grass. We will not use this anymore now that we have ducks, but I wanted to know how long to keep them off the grass? We just built a raised pen so they will be safe
Vicki