Bird seed/mowed grass?

[Araucana16]

The place I am planning on having my future chicks stay is pretty bleak... It's the only option I have for them unless I don't want to have chickens

It's basically dirt, with some little plants here and there to peck at.

I planned on scattering some bird seed over the ground for them to scratch at. Is that okay, or I should I put chicken feed over the ground/grit? Also is it unhealthy to put some mowed grass in with them? My old girls loved grass so much, and my new girls won't have access to it at all! That makes me feel so guilty, I really want to give them grass. If not mowed, could I just pull up some grass in my yard and take it down to them every few days as a treat?

One last thing. I am planning on 6 full size birds. Are two 1 quart waters refreshed twice a day okay?

Thanks so much.

- Mac

 

[cafarmgirl]

Bird seed tossed on the ground is fine, I would do that and keep their feed in the feeder. You can toss out grit for them or supply it in a dish. I'm on the fence about grass clippings. I don't give them but I know people who do, my birds are on pasture so they don't need them anyway. You can also toss a flake of alfalfa hay in the run now and then and let them scratch it apart, they love all the little leaves.

You can hand feed them fresh grass, just hold it for them so they can bite off shorter pieces and not swallow down a bunch of long stuff.

As far as waterers, technically yes, you can use quart waters, they just aren't the easiest for full grown, standard size birds to drink from and they may drain them pretty fast in hot weather. We use gallon waters raised up on blocks.

 

[Araucana16]

Thanks! I'll probably bring them a little plastic bag of grass every weekend then, and the alfalfa hay sounds good! I'll also try raising up the waterers

 

[Araucana16]

(Also, the good news is that I can be around to check on them midday in the hottest weather.)