1 or 3 inches

[Chickenheadmate]

Let me apologize in advance for posting here, I didn't have an idea on what forum this would go.
I'm about to mow my backyard for the first time this year, and I would want to know if backyard chicken owners would benefit from shorter or longer grass.
Maybe one attracts grasshoppers more than the other or have you not noticed a difference?

 

[DobieLover]

Let me apologize in advance for posting here, I didn't have an idea on what forum this would go.
I'm about to mow my backyard for the first time this year, and I would want to know if backyard chicken owners would benefit from shorter or longer grass.
Maybe one attracts grasshoppers more than the other or have you not noticed a difference?

If it isn't going to be hot and dry, I'd cut as short as possible to get the UV light down to the earth so it can kill microorganisms, worms and eggs.
If it's going to be hot and dry, raise the blade so you don't fry the grass.

 

[Cyprus]

My birds prefer taller grass. About 3 inches.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

If it isn't going to be hot and dry, I'd cut as short as possible to get the UV light down to the earth so it can kill microorganisms, worms and eggs.
If it's going to be hot and dry, raise the blade so you don't fry the grass.

I have to agree with that one. And do you really want to attract grasshoppers? There will be plenty of bugs for your chickens, just don't put any chemicals on your lawn.

 

[Chickenheadmate]

Lol. Thought I did, but guess no need to.

I have to agree with that one. And do you really want to attract grasshoppers? There will be plenty of bugs for your chickens, just don't put any chemicals on your lawn.

 

[TheAmundsons]

This is a great question that I hadn't even considered! One question, what's bad about grasshoppers? Just curious!

 

[Ridgerunner]

This is a great question that I hadn't even considered! One question, what's bad about grasshoppers? Just curious!

It is possible that grasshoppers, grubs, earthworms, snails, and other natural things chicken eat can be a vector to transmit worms to your chickens. I give that absolutely no thought. Whether the grass is 1" or 3" high, they are going to find and eat grasshoppers, grubs, earthworms, snails and such. If those worms are in the environment they are going to be exposed. If they are not in the environment your chickens will not be exposed.

For what little it is worth, my chickens ate grasshoppers, grubs, earthworms, snails, mice, frogs,mall snakes, and who knows what else, sometimes in grass shorter than 1", sometimes in grass longer than 3", and never had worms. I raised them for meat and when I butchered them I'd look inside the intestines for roundworms or tapeworms. Never found any in over ten years.

I'm guessing this is what might be wrong with grasshoppers. Maybe someone has something else?

@Chickenheadmate in my opinion you are overthinking it. Cut to the height that keeps the grass healthiest. Your chickens will be fine either way.

 

[TheAmundsons]

It is possible that grasshoppers, grubs, earthworms, snails, and other natural things chicken eat can be a vector to transmit worms to your chickens. I give that absolutely no thought. Whether the grass is 1" or 3" high, they are going to find and eat grasshoppers, grubs, earthworms, snails and such. If those worms are in the environment they are going to be exposed. If they are not in the environment your chickens will not be exposed.

For what little it is worth, my chickens ate grasshoppers, grubs, earthworms, snails, mice, frogs,mall snakes, and who knows what else, sometimes in grass shorter than 1", sometimes in grass longer than 3", and never had worms. I raised them for meat and when I butchered them I'd look inside the intestines for roundworms or tapeworms. Never found any in over ten years.

I'm guessing this is what might be wrong with grasshoppers. Maybe someone has something else?

@Chickenheadmate in my opinion you are overthinking it. Cut to the height that keeps the grass healthiest. Your chickens will be fine either way.

Gotcha! That makes sense. Thanks for the education

 

[Chickenheadmate]

I was just coming on here to ask if maybe I should worry more about the grass itself, but you had already answered that for me. LOL
Thank you all, I think I found the answer to my question. have a blessed day.

It is possible that grasshoppers, grubs, earthworms, snails, and other natural things chicken eat can be a vector to transmit worms to your chickens. I give that absolutely no thought. Whether the grass is 1" or 3" high, they are going to find and eat grasshoppers, grubs, earthworms, snails and such. If those worms are in the environment they are going to be exposed. If they are not in the environment your chickens will not be exposed.

For what little it is worth, my chickens ate grasshoppers, grubs, earthworms, snails, mice, frogs,mall snakes, and who knows what else, sometimes in grass shorter than 1", sometimes in grass longer than 3", and never had worms. I raised them for meat and when I butchered them I'd look inside the intestines for roundworms or tapeworms. Never found any in over ten years.

I'm guessing this is what might be wrong with grasshoppers. Maybe someone has something else?

@Chickenheadmate in my opinion you are overthinking it. Cut to the height that keeps the grass healthiest. Your chickens will be fine either way.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

It is possible that grasshoppers, grubs, earthworms, snails, and other natural things chicken eat can be a vector to transmit worms to your chickens. I give that absolutely no thought. Whether the grass is 1" or 3" high, they are going to find and eat grasshoppers, grubs, earthworms, snails and such. If those worms are in the environment they are going to be exposed. If they are not in the environment your chickens will not be exposed.

For what little it is worth, my chickens ate grasshoppers, grubs, earthworms, snails, mice, frogs,mall snakes, and who knows what else, sometimes in grass shorter than 1", sometimes in grass longer than 3", and never had worms. I raised them for meat and when I butchered them I'd look inside the intestines for roundworms or tapeworms. Never found any in over ten years.

I'm guessing this is what might be wrong with grasshoppers. Maybe someone has something else?

@Chickenheadmate in my opinion you are overthinking it. Cut to the height that keeps the grass healthiest. Your chickens will be fine either way.

Grasshoppers eat plants like vegetable plants that's why I wouldn't want to specifically attract them to my yard.