The coop will be finished this weekend (enough to live in, if not the aesthetically pleasing external touches). Yesterday Linda began weedwhacking the area where their pen will be (this pen is where they'll hang the first couple of weeks as they get acclimated, while we fence in the very large ranging area for them), and discovered a large quantity of poison ivy. Removing it by hand is out of the question (we both are sensitive to it). We don't have goats, and don't have neighbors with goats we could borrow. Does anyone use Roundup or its ilk where they're going to be raising poultry? Do you then avoid the eggs, and if so for how long? If we use the Roundup this weekend, will it be safe to bring chickens home next weekend as we're planning?
I'm hoping you more experienced chicken peeps can offer some thoughts here--Thank you!
Oh--and happy Friday!
9 comments:
I have no experience with chickens, but am excited to hear about this new adventure of yours! Have a great weekend!
Oh what a quandry -- normally poison ivy is the ONE place where I would use roundup, but I guess I would be very cautious if the chickens were going to be there. There are some kind of poison ivy preventative things you can get at the drugstore. You put it on before you know you might be exposed. Then wash off. What about getting some disposable elbow-high gloves and pulling it out, then take a long hot shower and clean your arms with alcohol. Good luck - so excited for you!
Ashling, I would call either Roundup's 800-number, or a vet with farm animal experience. Also there must be some local resources in your area that can offer advice such as an agriculture group associated with an university or college, or a farmer's co-operative....possibly even the poison control phone number. Or google pesticide use around laying hens.......just a few thoughts. much good luck, and definitely stay away from that poison ivy.
I think look on Google for help with Roundup or anything else toxic. The younger the chickens are, the more susceptible they might be to any poison. They will be so glad to get into their run. Cheers from Jean
Personally I never ever use anything toxic like that..not good for the chickens or the environment....I know goats will eat that stuff down and clean it right out...as far as anything to get rid of it naturally that is a good question...time to hunt for an answer!!!
I found this...gives a natural herbicide that might be better than Roundup....Hope this helps...:)
http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Poison-Ivy-Plants
Oh gosh-all that work and then poison ivy--ugh!! I'd call your local extension office-and google it too! I'd be careful w the roundup where they are going to be munching. What a dilemma after looking forward to chickens all this time! Good luck!
Can you get a "landscape" person to come in and literally dig it up and remove the soil? If there is so much, then perhaps you need to rethink where the coop will be. I agree that roundup around little chicks could do severe damage to them and their eggs further on - as it doesn't wash out - you don't want the chicks to come into contact with the soil where you sprayed with that poison. For ants and bugs will be walking through it and the chicks will be eating them.
Thanks for all the input! We're trying a recipe using vinegar, salt & dish detergent first; Linda drenched all of the poison ivy yesterday. I'm hoping that works. Otherwise I'm guessing we'll be donning heavy duty gloves & long pants & pulling it up by hand. We're not worried about the hens & the poison ivy; we're worried about us working back there to build the pen, and us getting poison ivy from the hens' feathers...
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