Should I mow it?

[Cherterr]

The 'free range' area for my new flock of 7 RI Red hens (5mos) is very shaded, and has been mowed in the past. It is currently about 6-8 inches high with new spring growth and is varied natural weeds/grasses. I was going to mow it before turning them out for daily foraging... but began to wonder if I should just leave it alone and turn them out....
(in a few more days after they learn to come to me for goodies so I can put them up in safety at night!!).
What do you guys think?
(I've been chicken-less for about 3 years.. forgot SO much!! lol It's good to be back here!!)
THANKS

 

[Poultrybonkers]

id leave it let them break it down

 

[GC-Raptor]

If you mow it, BAG it or they could get impacted crop from the cut 8" grass.
My hens love to eat the seeds off the grass when they seed. GC

 

[centrarchid]

I would mow strips leaving some to grow taller. There are times when leaving the cuttings on ground make insect eats more available. The shorter grass will have more tender young shoot while the taller will attract more insects the chickens will look for.

 

[blackdog043]

I'd leave it as is for now, or go over it with your mower at a higher than normal setting. The higher growth might attract extra bugs.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree that 'both' are good choices here. Try something and see how it works out.
Mary

 

[centrarchid]

Here is what I had going in my apple orchard where trees are not yet significant parts of what is going on. I stopped mowing the taller stuff in April and top seeded ground with Crimson Clover that came went by end of June. The juveniles spent most of their foraging effort in the tall stuff or in short grass close to the tall stuff. They worked area particularly hard in the afternoon once peak temperature past. Note how diverse the tall plant assemblage was. Even my mowed areas are far from what a lawn / turf management in a subdivision would target. Photographs were taken in July.

Images below are current with first from about same location. Cool season grasses dominate with legumes coming in fast. The chickens prefer the legumes and hensbit over the grasses, but will eat grasses too.

 

[chickens really]

We leave my chickens grass grow to a point and then my husband will mow it with the ride on once a month in the summer.