Grass for Chickens-Taking a look at the natural health benefit provided by this everyday green
We all know that fresh grass is good for your backyard chickens as part of a balanced diet. However, the grass actually has more nutritional value to chickens than you may think. First of all, the nutritious eggs from hens who eat grass will have healthier, darker egg yolks, a better hatch rate and will taste better. Grass also meets all a chicken's protein needs in the form of amino acids. For example, ryegrass has an 11-16% protein contact which makes it an excellent food choice for chickens in need of protein.
Amazingly, grass provides approximately one quarter of a chicken’s daily nutrient requirements resulting in them eating less feed. Therefore, you will spend less money paying for feed. Grass is high in protein, carotenoids (beta carotene), iron and vitamin E, B6 and C, and a variety of other minerals.
You may want to go and cut all the lush green grass you can from your lawn for your flock with this new information. However, there are some things to be careful of when allowing your flock to eat grass. Make sure it’s not treated with any chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides. Also, if you watch your free range chicken forage you will notice that they only eat the tops of the grass blade.
The reason for this is because if they eat the entire blade, they risk the chance of crop impaction. So when harvesting grass clippings for them, avoid giving them long, thick pieces. Be sure you only feed grass blade pieces no smaller than 1" and never just grab a handful of grass and throw it to your flock.
Do not worry if you give your flock some weeds along with the grass. Some weeds like alfalfa will cause hens' egg yolks to be darker in color because of the extra pigments.
(Dandelions are possibly the best weed for chickens. They are filled with vitamins A, B, C, E, K and contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and lots of calcium.)
Here are some safe weeds to feed your flock
- Beautyberry
- Bee Balm
- Purple Deadnettle
- Clover
- Burweed
- Catsear
- Mugwort
- Plantain
- Chickenweed
- Purslane
- Yarrow
- Dandelion
- Shotweed
- Fat Hen
- Hawkweed
- Nettles
- Violet
- Bitter Cress
(NEVER feed buttercup to chickens. It can kill them.)
Here are weeds and plants to stay away from (Note that most chickens will not eat plants they know are bad for them but it's still good to be safe)
- Azalea
- Rhododendron
- Henbane
- Black Nightshade
- Buttercup
- Clematis
- Foxglove
- Castor Bean
- Irises
- Oleander
- Vetch
- St. John's Wort
- Sweet Pea
- Honeysuckle
- Privet
- Trumpet Vine
If fed correctly grass and weeds will provide your chickens with plenty of nutrients and even reduce feed costs!
Feel free to PM me with any questions.
Helpful sources
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/12/feeding-watering-your-flock
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/housing-and-feeding-your-chickens
