Weed killer

[K0k0shka]

The weeds you kill are probably good for the chickens.

As are all the insects and worms that will probably die as a result of the poison spray, too. What's the point of letting your chickens free range on a boring mowed carpet if there's nothing for them to eat there? Chickens can eat grass occasionally, but the main point of free ranging them (and the most attractive to them) in the whole experience isn't the monoculture of cut turf grass, it's the insects, worms, and larva that they find while foraging in a more natural setting.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Planning to spray the yard with Spectracide weed killer, but hesitant. My chickens currently don’t free range, and likely won’t free range for another month or two since they are still little and we are all still getting used to each other. If I spray now (while they are put away in their coop), would it be safe for them in a month or two?

I was unable to find any information on this online. I's suggest you contact the manufacturer and ask them. They should have been required to run tests to see the effects on the environment that would enable them to answer your questions. Probably not tests specifically chickens but for wildlife including birds. I'd suggest an email.

This is an herbicide with different active ingredients. I'm not sure how long it would take for the different chemicals to break down so they are not a danger. As they are exposed to the air and sunlight they tend to break down to other chemical combinations but some do that much more rapidly than others.

The Spectracide chemicals are absorbed by the plants and kill the roots. They are generally not that effective for very long after they are sprayed. With the effects on the chemical compounds of sunlight and air they are probably safe in a few days. Add rain washing the residue away I would have no problems a month later. I'd think a week later would be extremely safe but see what the manufacturer has to say.

 

[ChaosMom]

Folks in my little town along the central VA/NC border love them some weed killer and liberally use it on their lawns and a couple more apply it in broad circles around their trees. Then they wonder why their trees don't grow. My yard is full of dandelions, clover, buttercups, etc., and it doesn't bother me in the least. And my many maple, elm, beech, and hickory trees are lush and healthy.

They get bonus points when they spray on windy days and damage their neighbors’ yards and beds.

 

[ChaosMom]

Our front “lawn”:

 

[Ridgerunner]

Our front “lawn”:
View attachment 4128662
View attachment 4128663

Good foraging if you build a fence.

 

[ChaosMom]

Good foraging if you build a fence.

They’d be in heaven!

But we’re at a high-traffic intersection plus lots of dog-walkers. And doubtless a lot of “Ooo, can I pet it?” folks.

I’m working up my courage to put up a very temporary enclosure to let them graze a small area at a time, probably in the mornings, when it’s a bit more peaceful. But the consequences if something spooks them are pretty scary.

 

[Perris]

They would kill to taste what I just sprayed, if they see that I'm spraying something. Especially copper. Copper must give that special flavor I guess.

a propos that, and using pesticides / herbicides, and feeding cattle poultry litter as a source of protein (and bird flu), some might find this interesting
https://europepmc.org/article/med/10750174