Grass clippings no no

[Pampered chicken girl]

I've been trying to feed my girls more natural diets and have been giving them grass I pull up from around the run and I scattered it in the run (since they killed all the grass in the run). Well today I was checking on the girls and noticed that one of my pullets did not look right. When I checked her over I noticed what I thought was poop and feathers stuck to her vent, when I went to clean her I seen that it was coming from inside her vent. I pulled it gently and it finally came out...a nearly 1½ inch long tangle of grass and poop. I am glad I checked her and needless to say I am not giving grass clippings anymore

 

[3KillerBs]

I've been trying to feed my girls more natural diets and have been giving them grass I pull up from around the run and I scattered it in the run (since they killed all the grass in the run). Well today I was checking on the girls and noticed that one of my pullets did not look right. When I checked her over I noticed what I thought was poop and feathers stuck to her vent, when I went to clean her I seen that it was coming from inside her vent. I pulled it gently and it finally came out...a nearly 1½ inch long tangle of grass and poop. I am glad I checked her and needless to say I am not giving grass clippings anymore

I give grass clippings, but I always double-cut my grass -- going over it first at the highest setting and then again at a lower setting. That makes for shorter clippings.

Some birds do have trouble with long strands of grass as opposed to short clippings from frequently-cut lawns.

 

[nuthatched]

Do you provide grit? Chickens aren't designed to eat grass like that. They need small pieces

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Do you provide grit? Chickens aren't designed to eat grass like that. They need small pieces

Yes grit is always available plus they have 2 sand pits which they eat to. I also have seen that pullet eat the grit so I know she was getting some. I will probably feed alfalfa cubes or pellets with water next time since it will be chopped up

 

[nuthatched]

Yes grit is always available plus they have 2 sand pits which they eat to. I also have seen that pullet eat the grit so I know she was getting some. I will probably feed alfalfa cubes or pellets with water next time since it will be chopped up

How about starting a fodder system where you sprout grains for them, that would be good.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

How about starting a fodder system where you sprout grains for them, that would be good.

Yeah that would be good but this sounds dumb but how do I feed them? Do I give the sprouts?

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

I give grass clippings, but I always double-cut my grass -- going over it first at the highest setting and then again at a lower setting. That makes for shorter clippings.

Some birds do have trouble with long strands of grass as opposed to short clippings from frequently-cut lawns.

Yes they weren't from mowing I was just pulling up the grass sometimes with roots and sometimes not for them

 

[nuthatched]

Yeah that would be good but this sounds dumb but how do I feed them? Do I give the sprouts?

You give them the whole tray, sprouts and seeds, there's an article on it, let me find it.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

You give them the whole tray, sprouts and seeds, there's an article on it, let me find it.

Okay thanks

 

[nuthatched]

Okay thanks

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/creating-your-own-fodder-system.63372/
Also wannabehillbilly has a thread on it somwhere.