I recently built my new coop and it's elevated over a run. i was mowing the lawn at the new place and after filling up my yard waste bin in about 5 minutes (yeah, that long of grass) i threw some clippings in the run. I was thinking this would keep it "green" and maybe provide them with some food. Mainly though, it would prevent the run from becoming too poopy dirty. does anyone else do this? thanks
I use clippings in the run in the summer, and fallen leaves in the fall. Keeps the run from being so muddy, and gives the girls something to do,
we have started to do the same. it began mainly out of laziness as we did want to go ALL THE WAY to the garden or compost so we threw it is the run. The ladies LOVE it! they scratch through it and even lay in it. like the idea of leaves too as there are many, many trees around the run.
I always put lots of grass clippings in the coop every time the lawn is mowed. My chickens absolutely love it. Just make sure you haven't sprayed any weedkiller on it. http://muckycluckers.blogspot.com/
I was cutting grass daily with a scissors and throwing it into the run every morning. I'd find dandelion weeds as well. Now I supervise their free range 3 times a day.
ok sweet so it is a good idea then. I'm assuming I should only do this with fresh grass. Once it sits and dries a bit, they probably won't want it right?
I would be careful doing this - if the grass clippings are somewhat long, and it's a new treat for your birds, they can glut themselves on it and fill up their crops. Longer grass clippings can wad up into a tangled ball, and not pass through the crop. This is called "crop impaction". When the stuff sits in there, it will start to rot and can kill your chickens. My sister gave her bantams some clippings and their favorite pet roo had to go to the vet. I know many people wouldn't take a chicken to a vet, and not many vets even treat chickens, but it's my niece's pet, not just a farm bird. Nevertheless, they no longer give them clippings, they let the birds tear off bite sized pieces from the grass themselves. Just my $0.02 and experience.
Quote:x2 I've heard the same thing. When the chickens free range and eat grass, they're actually snipping off tiny pieces, when they eat clippings, they will eat the entire long blade of grass and it wads up in them. I wouldn't give it to my chickens...just sayin.
My Ladies love the clippings...my hubby throws them in the run and they dive right in and enjoy it. They also love the leaf piles in autumn!!
