Opinions? Knowledge? Please

[trippon]

Hi I'm new here but I have a question I'm hoping someone with some farm AND chicken experience can answer truthfully. I say that only because my chiefs lives could be at stake if I take unknowledgable advice. Please dont hate me for that

I just moved to a gorgeous country farm house sat smack in the middle of farm fields-eye, corn, potatoes, beans, it all depends on the season as we have a good long growing season around here. I have a small flock right now in a small coop - free range is a new option as we weren't allowed to do so in the town we lived in before-but they have a large yard and receive plenty to keep them happy and healthy. However the farmers spray regularly on these fields-which are on all sides. I know today was fungicide and often nitrogen and all the such things they need to keep the hoardes from killing their crops. I brought my chickens inside when I heard the sprayer-so questions below.

1-what exactly is fatal and what is not?
2-I understand once the spray is dry they are safe again-correct? There isn't any spray sprayed in their coop just near (and not there isn't anywhere I can move the coop away from them-surrounded I tell ya).
3-Anything I can do ahead of time to protect against their exposure? I am taking them in. And I have spike to the farmer who said he'd be happy to call when they're going to spray from now on.

 

[bobbi-j]

I live on a farm and my chickens free range all the time. Yes, spraying happens in nearby fields - sometimes applied by airplane. I think as long as they're not in direct contact with the chemicals or ingesting them, they should be fine. You might want to consider attaching a run to your coop so you can keep them away from freshly sprayed fields. It can come in handy at other times, too - like if you get a nuisance animal hanging around, or as in my case when family comes to visit with their dogs.

 

[trippon]

Their coop does have a run attached. It is fully enclosed as we have a high raccoon - fox - and coyote population. The overspray is my concern as winds whip the spray around. I figure if I know ahead of time and pull them inside until dry I should be ok. I just didn't know if anyone has any other experience or ideas?

Oh and sorry about the spelling mistakes above. Waiting on new internet to be installed and was typing on my phone.

 

[Mrs. K]

Maybe call the place farmers get their chemical or the county extension agent and ask for exact waiting periods. And they will probably not spray on windy days, as that stuff is incredibly expensive and they want it exactly where they want it.

mrs k

 

[bobbi-j]

Maybe call the place farmers get their chemical or the county extension agent and ask for exact waiting periods. And they will probably not spray on windy days, as that stuff is incredibly expensive and they want it exactly where they want it.

mrs k

Right. Spraying isn't done when it's windy. You don't want your spray to drift onto your neighbor's field where it could kill his whole crop if he's got something planted that would not tolerate the spray.

 

[aart]

..... And I have spoke to the farmer who said he'd be happy to call when they're going to spray from now on.

There ya go!...maybe ask him what he is spraying when he calls? Then you can do a little research on it.