Adding grass clippings

[NNYchick]

I have added grass clippings to the coop/run. My husband new mower has a collection bag is it ok to add them green or should I let them dry a little first. Should I mix them into the dry leaves and shavings that’s already in there or is on top ok. Do I need to worry about impacted crop.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

We add them weekly. They can be dry or wet. You do want to only add an inch or less at a time otherwise they will form a mold layer underneath. I have not had any crop problems myself.

 

[llombardo]

I just added some today. They were fresh--not wet. They had a blast spreading it everywhere.

 

[DellaMyDarling]

I leave our clippings to dry for a bit, then rake and haul around where I need them. Gosh it's so useful.
We don't have a bagger. It'd make my life easier but the wetness is definitely something to avoid, so maybe not...
Someday we will acquire a tedder for the big tractor.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I let them dry a bit, as my flock is more prone to gorging on them when they're fresh. I've had 1 incident of impacted crop which is why I don't want them eating too much of it too fast. It helps a lot if your chickens are already used to eating grass (so they're less likely to want to gorge on it) and if you keep clippings fairly short (to avoid impaction).

You don't need to mix it into the existing bedding, the chickens will do it for you. I dump it in a big pile and they enjoy spreading it around.

 

[NNYchick]

When I get home this evening I will put a thin layer in if it hasn't rained and gotten them wet (they are calling for PM showers). I don't think they will gorge on it as they get out in the yard for a couple hours weeknights and all day on the weekend, they also get chopped kale, sprouted grains and chopped alfalfa in the winter so they are use to having greens available.