Are grass clippings bad for your chickens?

TennesseeChicken said:

Some of our hens will even follow the mower!

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When I used to give my flock free range of the yard, mowing day was like chicken parade day. They love to follow and grab grass clippings and any uncovered bugs.

debbieharry said:

Just wondering how you handled the impacted crop? I gave my girls some mixed length grass clippings and am v worried now about this! They ate them all yesterday and today so I am not sure yet if there’s a problem but want to be prepared!

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Keep an eye on the crop, should be near empty first thing in the morning before eating or drinking. 'Easy' way to check that is crate them at night, with no feed or water.
Crop will feel full at night and empty in the morning.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.


Here's an overview about crop issues:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

This is much more detailed:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ntion-and-treatments-of-crop-disorders.67194/

Sounds like a few people here have actually had issues with impacted crop from clippings?

Interesting to hear...I was starting to wonder if that was one of those “chicken issues” that has never actually happened to anyone.

Guess it’s a good motivator to cut the lawn more often (or at least run over the clipping twice before picking them up).

I’m not mowing yet, but my flock did get two feed sacks of clover that my son picked at my parents house.

Thanks very much for the replies! I am just such a newbie I didn't know what a full crop looks like I'm still at the stage when all I do is Google "what is wrong with my chicken"! That's one of the reasons I joined the forum - it's where all the most helpful answers were!

Is your mower leaking gas and oil? They love grass clippings. My birds free range and eat grass daily.

Word of caution: in early spring during 1st green up, chickens can stuff themselves with fresh green grass and develop crop issues as a result.

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Red-Stars-in-RI said:

Sounds like a few people here have actually had issues with impacted crop from clippings?

Interesting to hear...I was starting to wonder if that was one of those “chicken issues” that has never actually happened to anyone.

Guess it’s a good motivator to cut the lawn more often (or at least run over the clipping twice before picking them up).

I’m not mowing yet, but my flock did get two feed sacks of clover that my son picked at my parents house.

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Had to euthanize a hen this spring with am impacted crop. Necropsy revealed her crop was stuffed full of fresh green grass. 1st ever issue but it is a real possibility

debbieharry said:

Thanks very much for the replies! I am just such a newbie I didn't know what a full crop looks like I'm still at the stage when all I do is Google "what is wrong with my chicken"! That's one of the reasons I joined the forum - it's where all the most helpful answers were!

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The best advice I can offer is to remember that we are still just a filtered google search for what's wrong with your chicken. Everyone here tries their best to pull from their experiences and offer good advice, but there are many many things that can happen to a chicken. Unfortunately, many issues have similar symptoms.

Suggestions and opinions are usually not a good substitute for a professional putting their hands on your bird and determining an actual cause for the issue. I know cost is a huge consideration so please, continue to ask us anything and everything but take it all with a grain of salt. Always keep professional assistance and euthanasia as possible outcomes. Should the worst happen, it will be prudent to have a necropsy performed by a veterinary pathologist to know what actually killed the bird.

Mtnboomer said:

Word of caution: in early spring during 1st green up, chickens can stuff themselves with fresh green grass and develop crop issues as a result.

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Yes, as can birds who don't have regular exposure to greenery(confined birds).