fresh grass clippings

[monster1]

do chickens like to eat fresh grass clippings? if so, what about meaties? i want to raise some for butcher but don't care for the high cost of feed to get them to roasting size. will allowing meaties to free range during the day keep the feed costs down or will it make the birds take more time to grow and eat feed longer, therefore costing more to feed? i'm sure this issue has been beaten to death before.

thanks

 

[cherig22]

What I am doing is planting winter rye grass in the chicken run. Will grow all winter, and the chickens have greens.

I am also sprouting wild bird seed, which is fairly cheap and they love the sprouts. Also greens.

Cheri

 

[al6517]

It is best to use a weed eater and cut larger lengths of grass, they do not dry out as fast, and the chickens will eat it faster. If you cut more than can be eaten at any one time it may go to waste. I have an old fashion cycle out by the coop and only cut a medium pile at a time when I want to give them a treat, my birds start to freak out when they see me cutting it cause they know it's treat time.
AL

 

[mlmadura]

Mine ADORE

fresh grass They also love clover - I give them one or the other every day - I rake the grass after dh cuts it and put it in a trash container left open in my storage building - I use this to line their run (it's covered) so it smells nice and stays clean - They Eat This TOOO

 

[Rooster Ray]

In the summer time when I couldnt let them out I would occasionally grab a couple of handfuls of grass and clover on my way to the barn and they love it they eat it as quick as it hits the floor.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Fresh grass is great for chickens. However, if you apply any chemicals
such as fertilizers, pesticides, weed control, etc.. I would not give it to
layers or chickens I plan on eating.

 

[HennysMom]

okay, maybe this is a really dumb question..but I'm going to ask it anyways..

so if I feed my chickens grass I cut with my lawnmower....isnt that giving them chemicals as well since there is gas/oil in there? While not "technically" in the blade region, I know when I cut my grass, my clothing and hair smell like gasoline from exhaust, therefore, wouldn't the grass clippings also?

I do feed mine grass and clover but I too was wondering about when I mow the lawn, I just never did it because I was afraid of the chemicals. But if everyone says its okay to do..... then...maybe its okay to do

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
The amount of gas and oil is so low from a good lawn mower that I
wouldn't be too concerned. If your mower is leaking oil or gas then
that is a different story.

I know what you mean by the gas smell. I hate it too. That wasn't a
dumb question at all.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

In the spring, summer when I mow the lawn, after its all done I take some buckets and rake the clippings up, and I get a couple packed buckets, and I go and give the ducks, chickens, and geese lots of grass clippings. They love it.

 

[HennysMom]

TY PC

Yeah, that exhaust smell is awful isnt it?

I think I'll just let mine continue to free range every day and hand cut the grass/clover for them. My mowers/riding mowers dont leak but....only 6 birds, I think I can handle the hand cutting thing okay