Fresh grass clippings

[klevesque]

My hens are caged in their run. We don't let them free range because we have 25 of them plus we have a lot of chicken hawks around.

I do want them to have access to the grass so I thought maybe I could throw in a bunch of grass clippings after hubby has mown the lawn.

Is this ok?

 

[NonnasBabies]

Yes you can and they'll love you for it!!

Missi

 

[klevesque]

That's what I thought but I didn't want to assume and get them sick. Thanks!!

 

[Elena712]

If there is any bug poison on the grass, then no! they'll get sick and even maybe die!

 

[schellie69]

as long as not weed killer or anything like that has been used then you should be okay no once they get bigger you should be able to free range the girls since I don't think a hawk can carry off a full size hen.

 

[gogoalie]

Make sure that there's no gasoline or oil on the clippings if it's a motorized lawnmower...

 

[elmo]

Be alert for crop impaction problems, too. When a hen is grazing, she clips off bits of grass with her beak. She can't do this with pieces of grass that have already been cut, so she's left to slurp them up like noodles.

Which reminds me...that's exactly what one of our hens did with a small grass snake she spotted yesterday. First she picked it up and whacked it down several times to kill it. Then ....slurp!

 

[gogoalie]

Elmo, what would be some symptoms of crop impaction? & How would you deal with it? Thanks...

 

[elmo]

Here's a thread on the subject:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=156772

I've never had to deal with it, myself.