I have a lot of Johnson grass growing on my fields

[Lesserevil]

I have 3 acres and amor of it has Johnson grass in it and I know this can kill livestock once it’s stressed. But my chickens have eaten it b4 we knew it was JG. We’ve tried pulling it etc but it’s literally everywhere and I don’t want to use weed killer on it. Anyone have problems with their chickens and this vile grass?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Believe it or not, I've stuggled to get sorghum (and sorghum/sudangrass hybrid) to grow in my pasture.

MANY plants can concentrate one toxin or another under certain circumstances.

The good news is that your birds, assuming they have other options available, will generately not eat to excess anything which is harmful in the short term. They may take a bite or two - they explore the world with their beaks after all - but with rare exception will not continue to eat large quantities of something in its most harmful phase.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Drought conditions might cause a build up in Johnson grass, called prussic acid poisoning. Sometimes the leaves turn reddish. Like the other poster said though, chickens will taste the difference and are unlikely to eat when it is harmful.

Keep it mowed, they will eat the young shoots.