ali-s Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 The Chickens have been free ranging in their outside area today. Got home from work to find the farmer has been spreading lime on the field opposite our house. I didn't notice anything on the lawn so let the chickens out to peck at the grass, however when I returned indoors I noticed that my black shoes and the bottoms of my black trousers are white. Will this lime be harmful to the chickens? I went straight back out and have herded them back into the WIR. They have been out all day with the lime drifting across the field. I am presuming this powder is lime I am not sure what other things are put on ploughed fields. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 I'd check with the farmer and ask as it could be any number of things. Lime was used in the old days to break up the soil, but it's very caustic and I don't think it is allowed any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted November 18, 2011 Author Share Posted November 18, 2011 I wish he would let me know when he is spreading things on the fields. It happens all through the year, powders, pellets and sprays. The Cats have been inside all day and I won't let them out tonight. Archie Dog had his paws washed after I let him out. I'd put two loads of laundry out before work. I have one load in the washing machine now as it was all covered in the powder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissPug+Chooks Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Lime is defo still used in agriculture as i sell it! Its used to even out pH or around the time of a crop change....in terms of being harmful to chickens i don't know. Although i am a huge supporter of British Agriculture I would defo complian as this is a slight violation of your rights to put what you want on your ground and not have your shoes/trousers/chickens harmer by the alakine lime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Sorry, I was less than clear - I meant caustic lime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted November 20, 2011 Author Share Posted November 20, 2011 The chickens seem to all right after their powdery dust bath and it has gone from the grass. DS had to wash his car as it was covered with the powder, it was on the drive when the powder was put on the fields. we could do with some rain to wash the powder (what ever it is) into the earth or the farmer come along and plough it in. Our garden boundaries go right up to the edge of the fields with just a couple of strands of barbed wire seperating us. There isn't anyway to stop whatever the farmer puts on his fields coming onto our garden. In the Spring the farmer was spraying a pellet on his fields. The back of our Cottage is about 10 feet away from the field. the pellets were hitting the kitchen windows I had to go out and pick up as many of the pellets I could find, I didn't know what the pellets were and I certainly didn't want the chickens to peck them. I have also had to come indoors when liquid sprays are being used as they drift into the garden. I close all windows and put all pets, furry and feathery away. The joys of countryside living Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Garden lime is good for chicken runs as it sweetens the ground, if its the same stuff then I dont think it can be harmful to the chooks or it wouldnt be used in the runs, the farmer will be using it to balance the ph of the soil I'd imagine Builders lime is a different kettle of fish but I think its unlikely that the farmer will be using that on a field Best double check with him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
