Long grass?

[Kayla's Lunch]

I keep hearing about the dangers of long grass. But what is long grass? I am new and have no idea how long is too long. I have just started to let out my twelve 7 week old chicks. The area that they have been going out in has some long grass/weeds. We have been busy building their coop and not cutting the grass! I don't really even see them eat the grass, they seem to mostly scratch and eat worms. Thanks.

 

[proudmommie31]

I *think* the issue is more long clippings of grass. Like from mowing the lawn or purposely cutting it for them to eat. When it's attached to it's roots/the ground, they are able to break off smaller chunks and not have any issues. Mine do just fine wandering around and breaking little bits off here and there.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

You don't want to pick handfuls of long grass and give it to them. When they eat it on their own, they bite pieces off. If you give them a long strand, they gulp it down whole.

 

[tigger19687]

I have LONG grass , 2 feet tall that has gone to seed all along my fence. Keeps then happy looking for bugs and seeds off of it.
hens roam all day in yard on grass and eat pieces of grass. IF I cut the grass I put the clippings in their dirt garden pile where they pick through for bugs

 

[snow5164]

I only hand pick grass after we’ve cut it for my hens , one year I had to pull it out of 3 hens throats, not sure if they would have got it out themselves, but they sure looked like they couldn’t .

I’d literally take scissors and trim 1/4-1/2 inch pieces for them ... I know I know but I do it and it works

Or pull it out by the roots and give them a clump

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

I heard something from John Suscovsch about how his chickens won’t eat the really long grass. So he has to cut his grass half way through his broilers.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

If you have enough grass so that your birds don't kill, torture, and murder every last blade, then keep it short by hand mowing it is fine and dandy.

Grass is oversold as a chicken condomment but like everything else in nature (sheep, cows, horses, elk, deer, buffalo, goats, etc....... short, sweet, tender, and new grass is what chickens like best and what gives them the biggest bang for your buck.

 

[Kayla's Lunch]

Thanks for all the info everybody!