Lawn chemicals and chickens

[curiositykt]

My housemate does not like broad leaf plants in our grass, so he wants to get a company to come in and spray the broad leaf plants and then overseed and fertilize the grass.

The company claims the chemicals are safe for pets and kids. The chickens are only let into the yard for a few hours at a time, most of the day they live in their run. The plan is to not let the chickens outside during and for 24 hours after the treatment.

Does this seem like a reasonable compromise? I've already had 4 years of arguing about "grass" and I don't care anymore provided it doesn't hurt my chickens.

The company sent along this list of chemicals:

2, 4-D, 2-ethylhexyl ester
Mecoprop-p acid
Dicamba acid
Carfentrazone- ethyl

They would be treating once a month during the summer.

Thank you,

 

[SilkieNation]

My housemate does not like broad leaf plants in our grass, so he wants to get a company to come in and spray the broad leaf plants and then overseed and fertilize the grass.

The company claims the chemicals are safe for pets and kids. The chickens are only let into the yard for a few hours at a time, most of the day they live in their run. The plan is to not let the chickens outside during and for 24 hours after the treatment.

Does this seem like a reasonable compromise? I've already had 4 years of arguing about "grass" and I don't care anymore provided it doesn't hurt my chickens.

The company sent along this list of chemicals:

2, 4-D, 2-ethylhexyl ester
Mecoprop-p acid
Dicamba acid
Carfentrazone- ethyl

They would be treating once a month during the summer.

Thank you,

Well, I know I wouldn't want my chickies free ranging on that stuff. You could try searching these chemicals to see what the real deal is. I was going to suggest using corn gluten in the early spring, but, I think this could pose a problem for your birds as well! You might ask the company if their rep will eat some of the lawn after application... I have a friend with a beautiful lawn. She pulled the dandelions and plantain out manually, over time, of course. If your lawn is not large, this could be an option (you'll need one of those weeding tools). Tough situation.

 

[aart]

I wouldn't want my chickens anywhere near that stuff, let alone eating it.
But I care more about real, clean food than pretty lawns.

It may be used in agriculture.
Ask them if it's OK to use around food plants...like grain and corn(non broad-leaf plants).
And if there and withdrawal for feeding plants treated with to food animals(like beef cattle).

 

[Spartan22]

2-4D, dicamba & mecoprop (commonly known as trimec) is a broadleaf herbicide that actually lingers for a month in the soil, reason you can't effectively seed new grass for 4-6 weeks. Effective to eliminate broadleaf w/o rain for 24 hours. It is safe for dog/cat to walk on after 24 hours but not safe for birds since they eat the grass and the weeds that absorbed this chemical. It takes 3-5 days to kill the weeds but it's in the system of the plant(absorbed thru leaves and delivers to the roots). Another reason I don't throw clippings in my compost file for my garden. I will not want my chicken to eat the chemicals that will affect their system and therefore the eggs that we eat. I use these chemical myself but I will not get it spray 50 ft closer to my garden not my coop/shed.

 

[Toddrick]

I'm a little confused by all the negative comments about 2-4,D because it is used for pastures as well as yards. I don't have any grazing animals, but I believe people who do must fertilize their grass for rapid growth and apply 2-4,D to keep the weeds from taking over. Grazing animals eat almost nothing but the grass, so if it were poisonous I'd think it would be banned by now, or at least have a big warning--instead of a label advertising for use in pastures.

While chickens bodies may be much smaller, grass is not their primary food of choice. My chickens hang out in the garden eating berries, or in the shrubs scratching for bugs most of the time.

 

[SilkieNation]

I'm a little confused by all the negative comments about 2-4,D because it is used for pastures as well as yards. I don't have any grazing animals, but I believe people who do must fertilize their grass for rapid growth and apply 2-4,D to keep the weeds from taking over. Grazing animals eat almost nothing but the grass, so if it were poisonous I'd think it would be banned by now, or at least have a big warning--instead of a label advertising for use in pastures.

While chickens bodies may be much smaller, grass is not their primary food of choice. My chickens hang out in the garden eating berries, or in the shrubs scratching for bugs most of the time.

I am no expert here, so I will just make a general comment. Like so many chemicals the corporate giants say are safe, they, or their by-products remain in the tissues of things that eat them, end up in our rivers and streams, linger in the soil, make their way up the food chain. Over time, many of these chemicals can cause harm to biological organisms, such as chickens and people (cancer, infertility, metabolic disease, developmental abnormalities, as examples).

 

[Toddrick]

I am no expert here, so I will just make a general comment. Like so many chemicals the corporate giants say are safe, they, or their by-products remain in the tissues of things that eat them, end up in our rivers and streams, linger in the soil, make their way up the food chain. Over time, many of these chemicals can cause harm to biological organisms, such as chickens and people (cancer, infertility, metabolic disease, developmental abnormalities, as examples).

Of course you have a good point. But let's not forget that weeds can contain harmful "chemicals", even deadly poisons in themselves. So a chemical with no known immediate or long term side effects may be the lesser of two evils. I always try to minimize the use of chemicals, but I'm not afraid to use them if things get out of hand.

 

[aart]

Quote: I don't think that broad leaf plants in a lawn register as harmful.

I believe 2-4,D has been proven to damage the environment....most herbicides do....tho I can't cite it.

 

[Toddrick]

I don't think that broad leaf plants in a lawn register as harmful.

I believe 2-4,D has been proven to damage the environment....most herbicides do....tho I can't cite it.

Well it depends on how big your lawn is and where you live. I live in the country on a few acres surrounded by farms. Milkweed and ragweed are not healthy for the environment, but to be honest I mainly use 2,4-D for dandelions, which are actually edible. (Simply put, I wouldn't have any grass left if I didn't treat at least once a year with 2,4-D).

This article has a lot of good information on dangerous weeds. It says that most poisonous plants are either broad leaf or woody types. https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs938/

 

[aart]

Quote: Milkweed and ragweed are not listed in the link you cited...nor are dandelions.

I realize that sometimes herbicides/pesticides are necessary for economical food production,
but pretty lawns do not fall under that guise to excuse the poisoning of our planet.

Your argument also does not address the OP's questions and dilemma.