Is chicken poop lawn fertilizer safe?

May 10, 2014 12:21:24

The organic fertilizer Dr. Earth has an article on their website saying that poultry waste fertilizer is not safe because it contains all the chemicals and antibiotics and pesticides that they feed and spray on the factory hens. Would you think this is true? I've been using a so-called organic lawn fertilizer that has chicken waste in it and now I'm wondering if its really safe to use with my dogs.

May 10, 2014 13:39:12

Welcome to permies David.

When you say 'so called organic', what do you mean?
If it is truly organic, the hens should never be fed antibiotics, chemicals, GMOs, etc.
If the label just says something like 'Natural', 'Nature's own', etc. then it probably will contain trace amounts of those additives. If it actually says "Organic", and/or has an OMRI label, then it should be safe to use.

If it does however, have any of those ingredients, probably the most concerning would be the antibiotics ("against life").
We live in an over medicated society, and tests of treated waste water often reveal substantial quantities of antibiotics. Besides killing much of your soil life, their abundance in 'the wild' (your lawn and dog) is a primary factor of the evolution of disease organisms that are developing immunity to these 'life savers'.

EDITED to add: This is much more of a concern on edible crops than it is on a lawn, but still a concern.

May 10, 2014 15:17:07

John Polk wrote:Welcome to permies David.

When you say 'so called organic', what do you mean?
If it is truly organic, the hens should never be fed antibiotics, chemicals, GMOs, etc.
If the label just says something like 'Natural', 'Nature's own', etc. then it probably will contain trace amounts of those additives. If it actually says "Organic", and/or has an OMRI label, then it should be safe to use.

If it does however, have any of those ingredients, probably the most concerning would be the antibiotics ("against life").
We live in an over medicated society, and tests of treated waste water often reveal substantial quantities of antibiotics. Besides killing much of your soil life, their abundance in 'the wild' (your lawn and dog) is a primary factor of the evolution of disease organisms that are developing immunity to these 'life savers'.

EDITED to add: This is much more of a concern on edible crops than it is on a lawn, but still a concern.

The product is Richlawn Pro-Rich: http://www.therichlawncompany.com/products/fertilizers/pro-rich-turf-food/

and the label says "Natural, Organic Based" but it doesn't have the OMRI label.

May 10, 2014 16:03:34

Well, that certainly is not an "organic" product.

"Organic" can be a very loose term. For 'organic' produce, the regulations are pretty strict.
In general commerce, the interpretation is much looser.

It could be argued that petroleum, and its by-products are organic.
After all, it is derived from foliage that has been decaying in the earth for millions of years.
Doesn't mean that you should spray your tomato plants with kerosene, because it came from plants.

Their claim that it is based on organic matter reflects that its primary ingredient is chicken shit.
Undoubtedly from 'factory farmed hens', whose diet is mostly GMO soy and corn, laced with antibiotics.

Almost all commercial chicken manure comes from factory farms - they produce tons of it as a by-product.

Try scattering some clovers into your lawn. They will fix as much nitrogen from the atmosphere as that product will provide.

May 10, 2014 19:30:09

John Polk wrote:Well, that certainly is not an "organic" product.

"Organic" can be a very loose term. For 'organic' produce, the regulations are pretty strict.
In general commerce, the interpretation is much looser.

It could be argued that petroleum, and its by-products are organic.
After all, it is derived from foliage that has been decaying in the earth for millions of years.
Doesn't mean that you should spray your tomato plants with kerosene, because it came from plants.

Their claim that it is based on organic matter reflects that its primary ingredient is chicken shit.
Undoubtedly from 'factory farmed hens', whose diet is mostly GMO soy and corn, laced with antibiotics.

Almost all commercial chicken manure comes from factory farms - they produce tons of it as a by-product.

Try scattering some clovers into your lawn. They will fix as much nitrogen from the atmosphere as that product will provide.

So doing think its better to seed with clover than speed fertilizer?

May 10, 2014 23:33:31

David - you might find this article interesting. Just click it and it should take you to the page Organic Lawn Care

May 10, 2014 23:43:49

Burra Maluca wrote:David - you might find this article interesting. Just click it and it should take you to the page Organic Lawn Care

That's a great article! I don't know where to find moldy hay but I've seen Ringer fertilizer and it's very expensive. Any other more reasonable organic fertilizers?

May 11, 2014 00:09:16

Just found this fertilizer made in my area, does this look OK?

http://www.alphaoneinc.com/products/alphalawnIIdetails.html

http://www.alphaoneinc.com/products/alphaonedetails.html

May 11, 2014 00:38:03

David Davis wrote:

The product is Richlawn Pro-Rich: http://www.therichlawncompany.com/products/fertilizers/pro-rich-turf-food/

and the label says "Natural, Organic Based" but it doesn't have the OMRI label.

Organic Based... That's a new one to be - shady if its not legit I'd shoot them an email and ask um straight out about it.

That Alpha One you just posted looks okay by me. I've never dealt with the company before. You could shoot them an email too and make sure that their "organic" is OMRI certified - but if it is labeled as "organic" it should be. Of course, 'organic' itself is a somewhat broad spectrum.

Personally I decided to cut out the middle man and went straight to geese. They cut the grass, maintain the lawn, and fertalize for me. Good alarm system too. Not for everyone, but I'll tell you the High Phosphorous boost keeps my lawn green and I have had the best most prolific and most vivid blue flowering of my Veronica (speedwell) I have ever seen in over 20 years.

Edit: Changed 'they're' to 'their'

May 11, 2014 00:46:02

This product offered by the first dealer you cite labled as 100% Natural organic

http://www.therichlawncompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/richlawn-8-2-1-label.pdf

SHOULD be OMRI organic. I'm pretty sure there is a law regarding such labeling.

Whereas these two make no such claims

http://www.therichlawncompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/Richlawn-10-2-5-Label.pdf
http://www.therichlawncompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/pro-rich-new.pdf

Were It me making the decision and were I committed to only buying OMRI organic I would call both companies and ask about a variety of lawn care products they offer and decide based on my gut and their sales tactics which to patronize with my business.

Edit: 'Where' to 'were' TWICE I must be on a roll tonight.

May 11, 2014 00:56:23

Many certified organic farms I worked for in Washington State used Organic dry pelleted chicken poop as their primary fertilizer for their vegetables - so yes chicken poop fertilizer should be safe enough for picnics if spread on a lawn.

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