is grass seriously not good for them?

[jggrossm]

I have four 7-week chicks and sometime I bring them a seeded out grass stalk and the go crazy for it. They love pulling off the seeds and eating it. Is grass really not good for them? I figured, like people, that green stuff is good for them.

 

[CMV]

Who said grass isn't good for them? I'm curious about this. My birds have been eating grass for years and it hasn't bothered them, yet. They prefer clover to grass, but I hadn't heard that grass is not good for them. Maybe it's an age thing? When they are young they should be eating their food, not treats?

 

[Rolsjo]

Grass is great! But you want to make sure they have some grit so they can digest it.

I started giving my chicks chunks of sod in their brooder when they were a week old. They not only have a tasty treat but they can play King of the Mountain!

 

[ranchhand]

Probably not a problem. Don't overdo the amount and be sure you provide grit.

 

[jggrossm]

Thanks. I read it on this forum, actually, but I guess it was referring to little baby chicks. I also saw that clover is toxic to them, which I find hard to believe.

I think they get grit in the Poulin grain and also they get chunks of earth with the weeds, too.

Thanks so much!

Joanna

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Re-check those sources, there may be some truth to them. I think grass can be a problem when long stalks of it get eaten whole and somehow get wadded-up in the crop. Then it can cause an impaction. I think that could be a problem when chickens are given grass clippings, especially if the grass was long & tough. When chickens/chicks peck at turf they're pulling off small pieces, but when they eat clippings they're swallowing long stalks whole, like noodles.

Do a search on "impacted crop", you might find some mention about grass there. And then please let us know what you've learned!

I've given my flock grass clippings & haven't had a problem. And they haven't had problems with impacted crops from it (

yet) But perhaps this grass is more tender & easily broken down than others.

I put my chicks in tractors/arks on the grass beginning when they're very young. And any that are kept in brooders are often given the big grass clumps, roots & dirt ball intact, for food & entertainment purposes. It's true that more treats = less feed consumed, but a grass clump every day or two shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Kezzie]

I'd really like to hear more about clover being toxic to them. I know a ton of chicken people who plant crimson clover especially for their chickens.

 

[CMV]

Quote:
Clover can be high in nitrates. It's usually something that is specific to certain areas- soil types, terrain, mineral deposits, etc. Carrots can also be high in nitrates, but it doesn't stop most people from growing and eating them.

 

[Sillystunt]

ok, here we go again..PLEASE READ THIS LINK

http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxicplants.html

grass is ok for them to eat on their own. Clipping can be to long and lil chicks have a hard time digesting. GRASS will not kill your chicken,lol
CLOVERS might~ but remember there are different types of clover some worse then others

 

[Rillion]

Quote:
Thanks so much for that link! Definitely a good resource. Bookmarked.