Bleached Grass

[GoRogueWithChickens]

Everywhere I place my chicken feed it bleaches my grass and takes weeks to grow back. I’ve never had this before and have raised chickens for decades. This is my first time doing it in the city where I care somewhat about my lawn. How can a 2x4 chicken coop tractor base be in one area for a week with 8 chicks pooping not kill my grass but I can tell exactly where I placed my feed in the yard? I don’t dump it in the same spot every day. Well, I didn’t until now because it’s killing my grass. If it’s doing this to grass in Ohio where it’s easy to grow then what is it doing to my chickens?! Anyone else have thoughts on this? I submitted a picture of the feed I use and a couple of the grass.

 

[SourRoses]

Well, it's really best to use a feeder, at least a pan feeder, because a lot of feed will be lost in the ground. Or get damp and mold, then be inadvertently eaten by chickens later (Note: mold is not always visible).


When certain organic material is in contact with soil, it can soak up the nitrogen present like a sponge.
For example: Wood dust or shavings can kill grass and even mature plants by depriving it of the vital nitrogen needed for growth.

 

[Kiki]

I highly doubt it is the chicken feed killing your grass.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I looked up the feed and it contains licheniformis which does exactly what @SourRoses said. It absorbs the nitrogen in the soil.

 

[Kiki]

I looked up the feed and it contains licheniformis which does exactly what @SourRoses said. It absorbs the nitrogen in the soil.

Interesting. I wonder if others who don't use an actual feeder have seen this happen.

 

[nuthatched]

What type of feeder are you using?

 

[GoRogueWithChickens]

Well, it's really best to use a feeder, at least a pan feeder, because a lot of feed will be lost in the ground. Or get damp and mold, then be inadvertently eaten by chickens later (Note: mold is not always visible).


When certain organic material is in contact with soil, it can soak up the nitrogen present like a sponge.
For example: Wood dust or shavings can kill grass and even mature plants by depriving it of the vital nitrogen needed for growth.

Thank you for your response, it was most helpful.
This is what I found:
I called the company and the quality control manager said he has never heard of this happening and will look into it. His best guess is what you said.
I did further research and I’m thinking because the main two products are corn and soy that the glyphosate is killing it. I know it says organic but animal feed doesn’t have the same standards as human. I believe there are chemicals in the feed despite being USDA organic. I should use a feeder, but I don’t have many chicks and they are young so I wasn’t worried about it. I’m glad I didn’t use a feeder now.
I would spray the area down with water 12-24 hours after placing the feed there so the grass should be alive. I do know if the feed company is getting corn and soy from other countries there is a high chance it isn’t regulated and most likely not an actual organic product. Glyphosate will and does kill grass just as shown in my picture.

I won’t be using this feed again after my research. I will be buying human grade food and making my own. Thanks again for your response.

 

[GoRogueWithChickens]

What type of feeder are you using?

Thank you for your interest and response.
I wasn’t using one as the chicks were few and I am in the process of building their coop. I didn’t think it was a big deal. Read my response to SourRoses for details, thanks again.

 

[GoRogueWithChickens]

I looked up the feed and it contains licheniformis which does exactly what @SourRoses said. It absorbs the nitrogen in the soil.

Thank you for your interest and response. Read my response with SourRoses for details I found about organic feed. It’s disappointing. Thanks again.

 

[Altairsky]

I’m thinking because the main two products are corn and soy that the glyphosate is killing it.

If chicken feed had enough glyphosate to kill your lawn, your chickens would be long dead.
Source: I'm a farmer and I use glyphosate all the time.
If I was you, I'd change feed brand immediately and I would definitely use a feeder. If you throw the food on the ground, the chickens will scratch all the grass where they see food and they will kill your grass in that spot.