Would Round-Up be considered a Predator?

[Rozzie]

No. Roundup is not a predator. However, it is an herbicide.

Predator = an animal that attacks and/or kills other animals.
Insecticide = a chemical that is used to kill insects.
Herbicide = a chemical that is used to kill plants. Often herbicides are formulated in a way that they only harm certain types of plants.
Rodenticide = a kind of poison used to kill rodents (mice, rats, etc.) Generally fatal to other types of animals that might eat it OR that eat the rodents that died from eating the poison. Thus cats, dogs, owls, etc. that eat rodents that ate poison also often die.

There is a lot of debate about Roundup. Personally, I will tell you that if the farmer is spraying Roundup or any other chemical on his fields you WILL have overspray. Your coop may well get sprayed if it is nearby. The law may require that farmers limit overspray, but in reality it is difficult to enforce. Farmers don't want to WASTE spray so will try to not have a lot of overspray. Some is bound to occur. (The amount may also depend on who is doing the application of chemicals-- hired hand or the person with a financial investment!)

I would cover the top and sides of my run with tarps, if possible, if I knew when spraying would occur. This would limit spray that would get into the pen. Then, I would not allow birds out to free range for a while, preferably until you've had at least a couple of good rains -- pouring types of rains would be best. This will reduce the amount of exposure they might have and any side effects.

That's really about all you'll be able to do.

 

[Mn]

Thank you for all the replies. I was already thinking of the tarp idea

Also, I know do know that chemicals aren't a predator...but, I couldn't figure out what other topic to place this question under. I will talk to the farmer, as he is a great guy, and has even offered part of his field for a garden.

 

[WillieBoy]

Round-up sucks...I'd take the farmer up on his offer to let you use part of his field for a garden.This way you'd be able to put some distance between the sprayed area and your chickens..
I sure wouldn't want my girls around that stuff. I realize you don't have much choice in your situation.Think about his garden proposal, any distance from that spraying would help...good luck..

 

[lil'turkeymama]

We use round-up around our property all the time.I've never seen any ill affects to my birds.I do know it causes plants to wilt and die.Some plants are poison during this wilting period.I lost a donkey 2 years ago that had eaten some wilted plants that were sprayed with round-up.After talking to several people including my vet and the local county extension people they all concluded it was the wilted plants/weeds.They could have just been killed by frost and if eaten by cows or horses could have been just as deadly.I know lots of people do not use such herbicides but we didn't really have a choice.Our pastures were nothing but weeds and cuckleburs and that is really not a pasture.Its now beautiful lush and green.There are restrictions on some herbicides as to where and when you can spray.A product that lots of farmers use is 2-4 D and atrizine.These are not to be applied within 5 miles of any cotton fields because of possible drift.
You should talk to your neighbor and the farmer and express your concerns.If would help alot if he would spray when a slight breeze was blowing away from you if possible.Which might not work for the other side of his property.The way you talked about the farmer makes me think he's a nice guy.

 

[snowflake]

We had land scape work done this summer and the owner of the co. who is very good said Round Up is a strong fertilizer and when the plant takes it in and then it rains (witch is why it works best if watered with in a day or 2) makes the plant roots explode from to much food. more or less. any how that is kind of how it works so ;I would think after a few good down pours and you can help by watering your area as soon as possible to dilute it. It should be as safe as you can get it. and change water and clean feed dishes and tarp area . should be OK.

 

[drumstick diva]

I don't know anything about round-ups safety but I know it failed miserably at killing weeds for me this year. We did set records for the most rain in season and longest spell of hot weather for our area - maybe that slowed it down. If it works that poorly for the farmers - they are wasting money and effort while putting bad things into the soil and atmosphere. I think it's allegedly safe once it dries but I still wouldn't want animals or people near run off or where any grass , etc. might have gotten the drift from it.

 

[card5640]

Monsato is for sure a predator! Oh and a Pest.

 

[ParadisePoultry]

 

[Wendy'sChicksRock]

watch FOOD INC for some info on round up !!!

 

[card5640]

The chicken owner better be careful cause the Monsanto Police will be knocking on the door claiming Monsanto has a RIGHT to their chicken's genetics since they now have Round up in their blood. Yup they are like that...really. Sorry to get off topic but they are a force that should be stomped out asap. Glad someone here found my humor funny and took it serious.