Grass Clippings

[bloominchickens]

Is there any harm in tossing grass clippings in the chicken yard? The lawn has not been treated with anything.

 

[tdgill]

apparently its the way to go!

 

[al6517]

Heck no they will lose their minds to get some LOL, anyway they love them.

AL

 

[vixchix]

I would be care how many clippings you give the chickens. I used to throw clippings in with my babies and I had one that developed an impacted crop and became VERY ill. When the crop was opened, it was full of wadded up grass. I felt just sick over it. And poor little Penny didn't survive.
Just my experience.
Be careful.

 

[mountaintopchicken]

Long grass clippings are a total no. They can cause crop impaction, which can eventually lead to death.

I do feed grass clippings, but very short ones (set your mower to a high mowing height if the grass is long, then go over it a few times lowering the height each time, so you're not getting a long clipping). I would use tender succulent clippings, too - not ones from a dried out lawn that might form an indigestible mass in the crop.

I freerange two flocks, but alternate who goes out on what days - the indoor flock gets a little bag of clippings. Works great for chicken entertainment, health and egg quality.

I even feed dried clippings in the winter. I collect them in the summer and dry them fast so they are very green and sweet smelling when dried (and they are 100% dry so no mold forms...), store them in grain bags, and feed out in the winter as a treat with some grain. No dried clipping is longer that 1" long when I feed it.

 

[Mahonri]

I've been giving them clippings since they were 4 months old. They love it and they don't eat as much other feed for two days... but the coop floor under the roosts are interesting on Monday morning!... and great fertilizer!

 

[rooster0209]

I threw in a wheel barrow full and the birds went nuts. I thinked they scratched more than they ate. I use it under the roosts too.

 

[bloominchickens]

Thank you! I'm new at this, definitely noticed a difference in poo......will keep an eye on the length we give them. My non chicken friends think I've gone a little off....I enjoy watching and caring for the girls so much.

 

[rooster0209]

Quote:
Everyone thinks I am a "little off" when it comes to animals, even DH thinks so.

 

[tdgill]

good info on grass clippings

i learned alot just from thinking i knew something. hahahahah!!!

I also tend to pick the new succulent tender grasses....bring in a handful to the house chickens and then cut them with scissors. (not the chickens - the grass - ha) my birds will get longer pieces when they are out grazing but it seems that they stick to the more tender stuff. I imagine if tough grass is all thats available thats what they'll eat. Which would concern me more with impacted crops...