Weed Control

[helkat]

Hi All! Is it safe to assume that I shouldn't use any kind of lawn fertilizer with weed killer in it because it would be harmful to the free range chickens/ducks/guineas/turkeys?

Thanks!
Helga

 

[chookchick]

I would not use it, they very well could try eating it and it gets taken up by the plants. Also (since I am a landscaper...) weed controls such as weed and feed are not as effective and far harsher on the environment than a spray. I wouldn't even use a spray if I was grazing animals though--try using corn meal gluten twice a year, it is a great lawn fertilizer, and also acts as a pre-emergent weed preventative.

 

[eastbaychicks]

We ditched all chemicals when we bought chickens. Just seemed safer. I'd hate to think a bird died in anyway as a direct result or indirect for that matter.

I suggest using some sort of ground cover. I am poor so I use the free wood chips from the local tree companies. If I could buy the beautiful black back I'd put it on top. Only problem with that idea, the chickens LOVE to dig for all the worms it attracts and they leave behind little holes. Besides that it is great. You just flatten the weeds and spread it over them, at least 4-6 inches thick. Done in a weekend depending on the size of your yard. The weeds will die and what ever seeds are on them will never sprout because the light will not come through. Just be careful around bushes and trees. Don't up it up against their trunks. Also 4-6 inches seems like a lot but in a few months it will shrink trust me. I usually do twice that so I only have to spread it once a year. I have zero weeds in my yard except where the concrete meets the dirt. And when the woodchips break down the dirt is so soft and black the weeds are a cinch to pull out. Good luck.

 

[chookchick]

eastbaychicks--I am a HUGE fan of woodchip! We have at least 50 yards delivered here every year. Doesn't look quite as nice as red bark, but the price is right (free!) and it is the best for weed control, and soil improvement.

 

[eastbaychicks]

Yeah... I always thought it looked not so great, but weeds they look much worse. Plus after using it for like 5 years you wouldn't believe the beautiful soil I have in my entire yard. From nasty California clay to almost beautiful black earth like I remember from my days of living in Seattle. And it is alive with bugs and worms. The girls just LOVE it! That reminds me, I need to order more. Do you let your chickens dig around in the chips?