concerned with training pigeons

[Norm2475]

I just aerated my yard and put 10-10-10 fertilzer down yesterday. Is is ok to still let my birds out to train around the house. They still spend a lot of time on the ground. I don't know if they will eat the fertilzer and get sick. Or should I wait until after a few good rains?

[taylorr872]

I'm not a vet, just a landscaper, but personally I wouldn't let my birds out after applying granular lawn fertilizer till it gets watered in either by hand or by the rain, esp. if the birds like to hang out on the lawn. Fertilizer has a lot of salt in it, which is usually dissolved into the ground once its been watered. If any animal (dog, cat, bird etc.) is out the lawn before it is dissolved their feet will come in to contact with it and it can dry out and irritate the bottom of their feet. Not to mention that (if its granular and they can eat it) its probably not very good for them to eat either given the salt and nitrogen content. I would wait till after its been watered in to let the birds out. Its actually better for your lawn if the fertilizer gets watered in right after its applied anyways.

[Norm2475]

Thanks you. We have a cat we will look out for as well