Stop mowing your lawns??

[nao57]

Thanks for the exposure to new ideas. Some of the comments helped to learn from.

 

[Anime2lover]

So I have had an interesting observation I wanted to discuss with you guys.

Earlier I had brought up the idea about fowl eating grass. Many people corrected me that ducks don't really go for grass. And they are right. It was important for me to understand what they like better. And I'm grateful for that or I would have made some feed budgeting mistakes.

However, I did discover something that falls into a gray area that is worth discussing.

I'd been taking both the ducks and the ducklings out on the back grass. This is fun to watch and well worth it.

I had already been under the observation that it seems like all ducks like seed.

Well while I'm playing with them I was giving them the grass seed.

AND they do eat it!

I was quite surprised by this. They don't eat the blades of the grass well. But they still do fish around in the grass. And at first I wasn't sure about this because I have enough trust with them, if I give them something in my hand they'll take it in their bills anyway just because of the farmer is the boss brainwashing. But it does look like they do swallow the grass seed.

And if that's the case I will be able to continue to observe it. Plus, it may mean that I can save a bit from feed costs by letting them continue to go after the grass seed, and even encourage it.

I'm also interested in what other people think too.

Thanks.

PS I am not going to stop all other feed to go to extremes.

Ducks like to eat athe lot of different things, but not grass. Mine eat many kinds of vegetables I give them, and love it. But they also love foraging for bugs, worms, and other insect treats they get their bills on.

 

[Silkiechicken66]

I never have to mow the back yard. My ducks and chickens keep it a nice 1 1/2-2 inches. Its also the softest my grass has ever been. I used to have a weedy yard, but the ducks have solved that!
Ive learned that the ducks like to grab at the tops of the blades, not the whole plant. I do have to be careful where I toss feed, as they will wear down the grass and cause bald spots if its the same area often.
Overall, the ducks have been great for my yard. I dont have to mow at all, worry about weeds, or fertilize it at all.