Is Lawn Fertilizer Safe For Chickens? Read This First!

Lawn fertilizer has countless benefits, including the fact that it promotes optimal growth for your grass. However, it’s not always the best idea to use certain fertilizers if you have chickens and other pets. There’s no doubt that they’ll come in contact with the fertilizer, so make sure they’re safe!

Lawn fertilizer isn’t safe for chickens if it’s synthetic, but organic lawn fertilizer can be safe for chickens. As long as it’s made of all-natural ingredients, it’s fine for them. Never use herbicides or pesticides near your chickens.

Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following info about whether or not lawn fertilizer is safe for chickens:

• Different types of fertilizers that you can and can’t use near chickens
• The best lawn fertilizers to use if you have chickens
• Tips to keep your flock safe from chemicals

Expert Suggestion: Synthetic fertilizer can cause eye irritation, indigestion, and birth defects for your chickens. Do your chickens a favor and review the best organic fertilizer for lawns on Amazon.

What Kind Of Fertilizer Is Safe For Chickens?

Never use synthetic fertilizer near chickens

According to The Garden Academy, synthetic fertilizers contain chemicals that could harm the chickens if they’re absorbed through contact or consumption.

The lawn chemicals contained in most synthetic fertilizers, such as pesticides, can emit toxic vapors, damage the chickens’ nervous system, or cause digestive issues.

These chemicals could also have an impact on any eggs laid during that time.

Using synthetic fertilizer is probably a bad idea if you are rearing chickens.

Organic fertilizer should be used with caution

As much as organic fertilizers are made of natural ingredients, consumption of these fertilizers in large amounts by the chicken can lead to poisoning even in the hardy chickens.

Therefore, it’s recommended that you consult a veterinarian before using any organic fertilizer and use the fertilizer sparingly. There are different choices available for organic fertilizers:

 (a) Those made of natural ingredients which are entirely non-toxic to the chicken. It’s advisable to go for products categorized as slow-release organic fertilizers (SROFs). Some SROFs may contain poultry droppings or feather meal, which is completely pasteurized during manufacturing to prevent the spread of bacteria or disease to your flock.

(b) Liquid organics is another safe option when going for organic fertilizers. Liquid organics are water-soluble products that can be sprayed on your lawn using a hose and sprayer set when diluted at the required rate. The ingredients that make up these liquid organics don’t harm your poultry. They are safe since the liquids soak into the soil and are absorbed by leaf blades where the chickens can’t access.

Note: If you have mulch, you can still use fertilizer!

Compost is safe so long as there are not any bacteria in it

Rearing free-range chicken has an added advantage as they can also help in providing free fertilizer. Chicken manure is an excellent organic fertilizer source that breaks down naturally in the yard, providing your lawn with valuable nutrients.

To reduce the nitrogen levels contained in raw chicken manure, it’s advisable to create a compost area. Composting chicken manure is an effective way to get organic fertilizer that involves natural ingredients like chicken waste, leaves, or bedding.

After placing the materials into a compost bin, microorganisms can break the materials into natural fertilizer with the help of oxygen and heat. The compost should be enclosed to ensure that the fertilizer formation conditions stay in check and prevent the spread of diseases.

Learn more about soil conditioner and compost here.

Which Fertilizers Should You Use If You Have Chickens?

The following organic fertilizers are suitable for your lawn if you’re looking to ensure the safety of your chickens;

1) Hoffman Dehydrated Super Manure

This dehydrated poultry manure comes in an easy to apply pelletized form. It poses no harm to the chicken when ingested.

Hoffman Dehydrated Super Manure benefits your lawn, flower, and vegetable garden in a number of ways. It encourages more earthworm activity that enables soil aeration, nutrient penetration, easy water movement, and earth matter.

Since earthworms play a significant role in decomposing organic matter, this fertilizer builds the humus content without burning and also improves the soil texture.  

2) Pearl Valley Organix Coop Poop Garden Food

Pearl Valley Organix Coop Poop is an all-purpose garden food that serves your lawn with organic slow-release nitrogen. Nitrogen helps in promoting healthy leaf growth by encouraging chlorophyll production necessary for photosynthesis, giving your lawn that amazing lush green look.

It’s composed of aerobically composted chicken manure, which is all-natural. This fertilizer is also suitable for flower beds, vegetable gardens, and container gardening.

Coop Poop is eco-friendly, easy to use, and odorless. The pH of the product is balanced with Premium organic matter for improved root development and nutrient uptake.

3) Worm Castings Organic Fertilizer Wiggle Worm Soil Builder

This 30-pound container features pure earthworm castings. This fertilizer is organic and pure, as it’s produced from natural earthworms. Worm casting manure is derived solely from nature as it is, and it’s essentially earthworm waste.

The Wiggle Soil Builder is odorless and has well-mixed ingredients that are best suited for root growth since it will serve the immediate and long term maximum absorption of nutrients. It’s achievable since the worm mixes the nutrients uniformly in the soil into its simple constituents so that plants can easily absorb them.

The wiggle worm soil builder’s castings have a higher buildup of useful bacteria and microbes, which are ever-present during the earthworm’s digestive process.

The microbes and bacteria work together to create healthy soil conditions necessary for plant growth. This organic fertilizer also improves the soil structure, which includes soil aeration that allows roots to grow fast and fibrous, which promotes rapid growth.

It also increases the soil’s water retention capacity and drainage of excess water due to its shape.

Wiggle Worm Soil Builder is an excellent choice for organic fertilizer as it’s pure and natural. It also favors your chickens as they are free to roam around without any concern for poisoning while your lawn remains in good condition.

Keep Your Chicken Away From These Lawn Products!

The fertilizers you use on your lawn can have an impact on your chicken’s health. Many of these fertilizers look like tasty seed snacks and can be easily consumed by the chickens. Lawn care products found in these fertilizers, such as herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, and spray coloring, directly affect the chicken’s health.

1. Herbicides are easily absorbable by the plants meaning if the chickens come in contact or ingest the weed chemicals, they may be affected, and the toxins can also be passed to their eggs.
2. Pesticides that emit toxins can damage your chickens’ nervous system or cause indigestion issues.

Community Chickens points out the dangers of using herbicides near chickens. Leave them at the store and keep your animals safe!

There are various symptoms to look for to establish if your flock has had fertilizer poisoning. These symptoms include; shortness of breath, diarrhea, strange posture that may have been brought about by abdominal pain. It’s advisable to seek help from a veterinarian on how best to treat your chickens.

Wrapping It Up

Lawn fertilizer isn’t too dangerous if it’s organic, but using synthetic fertilizer around your pets can be a problem. Upon ingestion, all sorts of health issues can take place. Fortunately, there are countless options at your disposal.

Here’s what you should’ve learned:

• Synthetic fertilizer is too dangerous to use around chickens.
• Organic fertilizer is usually safe for chickens to be around.
• Make sure you use a high-end fertilizer without any additives.
• Consider making a compost bin to reuse chicken manure for fertilizer.
• Worm castings are an excellent fertilizer that’s safe for chickens.