Too much forage for crops to handle?

[debp]

I am struck again by insecurity about my first chicks. This time about letting them on pasture. I have an enclosed run ready for them, and I let them into it for a minute this morning and they began gobbling alfalfa like crazy. I know Bee lets her chicks out on pasture from almost day 1, but mine have had only limited handfuls of alfalfa and dandilions (with chick grit free choice) My run has a fair amount of young alfalfa and brome. So, I can't help but worry about impacted crops if I let them out on it - and yet that's what's its for! One post I read about impacted crops said it is most common in spring when hens get out for the first time on young growth. The way the chicks were going after the alfalfa right by the door makes me worry they will gorge themselves in a matter of minutes and have problems.

Thoughts on this?

 

[3riverschick]

I am struck again by insecurity about my first chicks. This time about letting them on pasture. I have an enclosed run ready for them, and I let them into it for a minute this morning and they began gobbling alfalfa like crazy. I know Bee lets her chicks out on pasture from almost day 1, but mine have had only limited handfuls of alfalfa and dandilions (with chick grit free choice) My run has a fair amount of young alfalfa and brome. So, I can't help but worry about impacted crops if I let them out on it - and yet that's what's its for! One post I read about impacted crops said it is most common in spring when hens get out for the first time on young growth. The way the chicks were going after the alfalfa right by the door makes me worry they will gorge themselves in a matter of minutes and have problems.

Thoughts on this?

I don't know what breed you have, however...if you have a clean legged breed and let them out in the cold wet grass, it can cause them to grow feathers on their legs. Are you making appropriate sized grit available to them?
Best,
Karen

 

[debp]

It is warm out, and the grass isn't wet. This is a very dry climate. They are all clean-legged breeds. That amazes me, tho, that they could grow feathers on their legs if exposed to cold, wet grass. Most of my run is dirt, but there is plenty of alfalfa and brome grass to gorge themselves, if they decide to do that.

 

[debp]

I have asked dumb questions before and no one answered them, and then made a wrong choice (like when I separated my Barred Rocks for a week and have been dealing with problems of reintegration since!). So, I am asking again from someone with more experience for advice on letting the chicks into their run. It doesn't sound like impacted crop is that rare in the spring. These chicks are 6 weeks old. What will happen if they fill up on grasses and alfalfa (I'm more worried about the grass than the alfalfa). I could cut the long grass (it has not been mowed) before I put them in the exclosure, so they won't get too much long tough stuff on their first day. Or can most 6-week old chicks handle whatever greens they choose to eat on their first day out?

 

[Aacre]

Hi there!
If you are worried about their crops getting impacted because of the long grass, you could cut it. I can understand your concern about this- it does happen. I have a bunch of little 4 week old chicks free ranging and they don't seem to have a problem, but they aren't usually lucky to pull a long strand straight off and eat it. Usually it tears before then. I have had a young chick get a hold of a long one, and I never even knew about it until the long strand passed through his digestive system and came out the other end as a blade of grass...

No question is a stupid question!

 

[debp]

Thank you so much for the reply. I think I will mow the grass patches and leave the alfalfa. It is still quite tender and it tears easily. Hopefully, they won't overdo the alfalfa.