Pesticides?

[OrpDotes]

Hey y'all,
I know I have posted a previous thread similar too this one, but I now have a new question related to it. I hope that's okay! I was wanting to let my 1 and a half and two and a half week old chicks outside for the first time today. One of my chicks has been sick but seems to have made a full recovery. They would be watched and it would only be for about 15 minutes(it's 70 degrees out right now). However, we recently moved into a new house 4 months ago and it seems the previous owner has used pesticides here. Could after three months with heavy rains these pesticides still be harmful to the chicks? Thanks so much and God Bless!

 

[IllinoisGuy]

I think there is very little chance of any harm, I keep an orchard and have to spray routinely, the general rule is that after an inch or so of rain there is not enough chemicals left to harm most insects, let alone chickens, even if I’ve sprayed only a couple weeks before. After “months” of “heavy rain,” its effectiveness is long gone. Now, if you are going for full organic, there is no guarantee that some minimal trace doesn’t remain, even maybe just a surfactant (part of the chemical that makes the pesticide “stick.”)

 

[OrpDotes]

I think there is very little chance of any harm, I keep an orchard and have to spray routinely, the general rule is that after an inch or so of rain there is not enough chemicals left to harm most insects, let alone chickens, even if I’ve sprayed only a couple weeks before. After “months” of “heavy rain,” its effectiveness is long gone. Now, if you are going for full organic, there is no guarantee that some minimal trace doesn’t remain, even maybe just a surfactant (part of the chemical that makes the pesticide “stick.”)

Thanks for the quick response! I just wanted to make sure the chicks don't get hurt so that's good enough for me.

 

[lazy gardener]

Any way of finding out what pesticides were used? I would also want to know if any herbicides have been used. You could then look at MSDS sheets for the chemicals or contact your county ag. extension office... Then you could make an informed decision which is in line with your own personal risk tolerance.

 

[OrpDotes]

Any way of finding out what pesticides were used? I would also want to know if any herbicides have been used. You could then look at MSDS sheets for the chemicals or contact your county ag. extension office... Then you could make an informed decision which is in line with your own personal risk tolerance.

I let two of them out for about a minute they didn't seem interested at all and if anything confused. So I think I will wait until they are older to let them out. I don't know if there's anyway of finding out what was used we found a bottle of anti fungal spray but other than that i'm not sure. Thanks for the quick response!

 

[lazy gardener]

In the mean time, you are in an important window of exposing them to your soil. So... I would come to a decision, and based on that decision, either expose them to your soil, or find some untreated soil to let them enjoy (don't give them packaged potting soil). Exposure to local soil gives them important beneficial bacteria and fungi for their immune and digestive systems, and helps them to develop resistance to local pathogens.

 

[OrpDotes]

In the mean time, you are in an important window of exposing them to your soil. So... I would come to a decision, and based on that decision, either expose them to your soil, or find some untreated soil to let them enjoy (don't give them packaged potting soil). Exposure to local soil gives them important beneficial bacteria and fungi for their immune and digestive systems, and helps them to develop resistance to local pathogens.

Yeah the problem is my soil is still pretty wet so i don't know if i should put it in there with them. I put a little pile of grass that they like to play in. I'll try to find a dry patch or figure out a way to get some local soil. Thanks!

 

[OrpDotes]

I will also try to figure out the pesticides that were sprayed.

 

[OrpDotes]

In the mean time, you are in an important window of exposing them to your soil. So... I would come to a decision, and based on that decision, either expose them to your soil, or find some untreated soil to let them enjoy (don't give them packaged potting soil). Exposure to local soil gives them important beneficial bacteria and fungi for their immune and digestive systems, and helps them to develop resistance to local pathogens.

I don't think i'll be able to find what pesticides where sprayed i think they were just bought from the store and sprayed by the previous owner. Do you know of pesticides that could still harm them after 3 months with rain? Also if it is important for them be exposed to the bacteria and fungi do you think it'll be worth the risk. Thanks again and God Bless!

 

[lazy gardener]

I do believe there is huge benefit to be had from being exposed to local soil. Unless you are never going to allow them to have access to your yard, it becomes a moot point regarding previous pesticide application. Only you can decide what your risk tolerance is.