Tall grass—probably a stupid question

[Amy Weaver]

I know this will make some of you laugh out loud, but I’m such a novice and want to get it right.

I’ve read that tall grass can hinder/impede a chicken’s crop. Is that like “I haven’t mowed my grass in a few weeks tall” or “they’re walking through calf high tall grass”?

 

[sourland]

When long strands of grass or hay are eaten they might cause a blockage in the crop. Left to their own chickens generally break off small pieces of grass and have no problem with blockages.

 

[Folly's place]

x2. They will wander through it, eat bugs and stuff, and small bits of new grass. 'Weeds" are the best! Herbicides and chickens don't mix. Let it grow, and mow occasionally.
BTW, when I think of 'tall grass', it's 12" or taller...
Mary

 

[Tonyroo]

My chickens ate all my grass, it was never mowed, about 16 inch high. I just have a bare stump now but they did enjoy it with no problems. Now I'm in the process of grow new grass and pasture seeds, so they have more of a variety.

 

[SueT]

If they pick it themselves, they break off appropriate sized pieces. If you cut it for them, they can't do that as it isn't anchored.

 

[rosemarythyme]

"Too long" to me is 3- 4" or more, cut. This doesn't apply to grass that's still attached to the ground, but rather grass that's been clipped/mowed and then tossed into the run (especially if the chickens don't normally free range or get greens). If the chickens gorge on the long pieces, they can get jammed up in the crop, and that's where the issues come in.