i think it depends on the ingredients in the de-icer... some use rock salt,
others use diethylene glycol, which if i remember correctly is also used in
anti-freeze... and, if memory serves, is quite "tasty" (sweet) and
poisonous in large-enough quantities...

quoting wikipedia (sorry, but it's the only source my not-quite-awake body
has available at the moment):
Diethylene glycol has been responsible for a number of mass poisonings. The
most famous incident was the 1937 Elixir Sulfanilamide disaster in the USA,
in which 107 people died after taking sulfanilamide dissolved in diethylene
glycol. This was the impetus for the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of
1938. In recent years, deaths from medicines adulterated with diethylene
glycol have been reported from South Africa, India, Nigeria, and Haiti.

another source (veterinary medicine website) says:

Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol)
This is actually a winter and summer potential problem. Cats and dogs are
attracted to the sweet smell and taste of antifreeze, and will often sample
some if left out in a container or spilled on the garage floor.

Antifreeze is highly toxic - it is rapidly absorbed (initial signs appear
approximately one hour post-ingestion), and there is a high mortality rate.
Other sources of this deadly chemical are: heat exchange fluids (sometimes
used in solar collectors), some brake and transmissions fluids as well as
diethylene glycol used in color film processing.

Acute cases (within 12 hours of ingestion) often present as if the animal
was intoxicated with alcohol: stumbling, vomiting and depression are common
signs. The kidneys are most severely affected, and even if the animal seems
to improve initially with treatment, they may succumb shortly after to
kidney failure. The kidneys shut down, and the animal is unable to produce
urine. This type of kidney failure usually happens 12-24 hours after
ingestion in cats, and 36-72 hours post ingestion in dogs. Success of
treatment is dependent upon quick treatment. If you suspect that your animal
has come into contact with antifreeze, contact your veterinarian
immediately.

A safe alternative to Ethylene Glycol antifreeze is available, it is called
propylene glycol, and while it does cost a small amount more than 'regular'
antifreeze, it is worth the piece of mind.

i'm sure someone will correct me if i'm wrong...

00 caren
http://www.parkgallery.org
from the internet

-----Original Message-----
From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Bill and
Nancy LaFramboise
Sent: Tuesday, 2006 February 21 06:04
To: 'Tweeters'; inland-nw-birders at uidaho.edu
Subject: [Tweeters] FW: robin behavior/poisoning question


A student at Eastern in Cheney encountered this flock of affected robins -
any thoughts? Does de-icer poison birds? I considered fermented berries
and "drunken" behavior but would fermented berries kill?

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