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Seeded my Yard with Treated Grass Seed--Can My Chickens Free Range?

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by bremat, May 17, 2009.

Most Liked Posts
  1. May 17, 2009 #1
    bremat

    bremat Out Of The Brooder

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    I re-seeded my yard with Pennington grass seed that is treated with a fungicide. We still have a lot of grass, but have some thin and bare spots. I usually let the chickens out every morning and they go back up at dusk. I did not let them out today for fear of them eating the treated grass seed. I am thinking I should probably keep them out of the yard until the seeds are sprouted, but not sure. They would rather go into the wooded areas around the yard most of the time anyway or get in my strawberry patch (none for us this year as they beat us to them.) So, should I keep them in their run or let them free range? Would they be really attracted to the grass seed? Would it hurt the eggs? Sorry so many questions....Thank you!
     
  3. May 17, 2009 #2
    zatsdeb

    zatsdeb Chillin' With My Peeps

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    is there any info on the bag? I think I would keep them off the grass for a few days, maybe more??? maybe someone else knows more
     
  5. May 17, 2009 #3
    Omran

    Omran Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Bagdad KY
    Quote:I will leave them locked for two reasons,
    1- if the grass seed has some kind of fertelizer in it , it will hurt the birds.
    2- the chicen will dig the seeds out and grass will not come up.
     
  7. May 17, 2009 #4
    speckledhen

    speckledhen Intentional Solitude Premium Member

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    I would advise you to keep them penned till it takes hold. Trust me, they'll eat all the seed and whether or not it hurts them, it will sure cost you money to replace all the seed they eat. And grass seed ain't cheap!
     
  9. May 18, 2009 #5
    cherig22

    cherig22 Green Fields Farm

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    Been there done that. Put out Wintergrazer in the pasture, hubby did, without telling me.

    $180 worth of chicken feed. At least it was straight seed, not coated.

    Cheri [​IMG]
     
  11. Jul 1, 2009 #6
    kees

    kees Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Mine ate the quick growing grass seed and it hurt my wallet! So much for trying to grow grass in the blank spots!

    Suzy
     
  13. Jul 1, 2009 #7
    Judy

    Judy Moderator Staff Member

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    South Georgia
    Oh, grass seed! Yummy!
     

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