My run is all dirt now

[K-Chick]

So, since there is no grass anymore in the run because the ate it and then scratched it to death, will the eggs be as good? About twice a day, I pick grass and throw it to them and give them a few other things here and there, but the yellows don't seem to be as brignt as when there was grass in the run. Any suggestions?

 

[joedie]

I give them the greens left over from salads, cooking, corn on cob, yogurt and cottage cheese for extra nutrtional value. If you have a garden you can feed the leftover greens.

 

[Mahlzeit]

Keeping grass in the run is impossible unless you have a small amount of chickens in a big run. In the summertime everytime I mow the lawn I throw the grass clippings in there. They love going after all the bugs in the grass. I would say it is more the lack of bugs than the grass itself that is leaving the yolks not as bright.

 

[lux_interior]

Yeah, I'd give them grass clippings, lettuce, broccoli, or any other greens

 

[JennsPeeps]

It's extra work but I sometimes rake up the grass clippings from the front yard and give that to the girls. They love it.

 

[65browneyes]

I plant grass in oblong planters specifically for the chickens. I keep it outside their coop (they don't free range due to predators) and take a planter in the coop every couple days. They love it, and I always have fresh grass for them. I try not to let them take it down to bare dirt, just 'mow' it down some.

Funny, I can't grow grass in the yard, but it does great in the planters! LOL

 

[Mahonri]

Mine went from grass to dirt to holes in the dirt!

 

[fargosmom]

If I was going to plant some grass for our girls, is there a preferred type? I might just start them some container grass too . . .

 

[K-Chick]

sometimes when I give them grass clippings they eat it so fast they throw up.

 

[AnnesChicks]

Fortunately I have plenty of weeds to share, they are very fond of dandilion and clover leaves and flowers. We don't "weedeat" along a section of our fence just to have plenty to cut for the girls. Also any weeding from flower beds, dirt, bugs and all I toss in the run. They act like kids with a pinata.

All my veggie trimmings & grain (breads, pastas) type kitchen scraps go into the run too, mornings only. I want it all eaten before dark to avoid attracting unwanted visitors. So far my yolks are nice and dark and we've had two double yolkers!

I like the idea of grass planters to rotate in and out as a treat....I get so many good ideas from this site.