Weeds / grass clippings

[FT Chickens]

Hi all. I was wondering if I can throw pulled thistle weeds into my chicken run and use grass clippings as bedding in my coop or throw them also into my chicken run?

 

[PotatoHead]

I would not use the thistle, too thorny. I do throw grass and other yard clippings into the run and eventually mix into the deep litter....after the ladies have ha their chance to scratch through it.

 

[FT Chickens]

Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Grass clippings are fine to mix into coop/run litter, as long as the clippings aren't too long. Longer clippings may be ok if your chickens aren't interested in eating them.

 

[aart]

I'd hesitate to give confined birds grass clippings, except in very small amounts.
They can gorge on them and clog their crops and/or intestines.

I toss mine against the outside of the run as a weed suppressant and they pick at them thru the 1/2" HC, might toss a small handful inside, the evidence is clear the next morning on the poop boards that the stuff doesn't get fully processed.

The best green treat here is full stalks of sunchokes tossed in the run and they eat the leaves.

 

[GreatGranny]

We mow our yard with the bag on the push mower and empty it into the run! Grasshoppers and all kinds of bugs are in it and the chickens have a smorgasbord delight!

 

[FT Chickens]

Thanks!

 

[lazy gardener]

We also use a bagger and dump it right into the run. I also put grass in small amounts into the coop. I would hesitate regarding the thistles in the run. In wide open spaces, I'd be ok with it, but in the run, not so much.

 

[adickenscoop]

I wouldn't, it can lead to a crop impaction.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Obviously by the varied responses, you need to watch your flock's behavior to know if grass clippings are a good idea for your set up. My birds don't currently eat the dried grass, or nibble sparingly at best, so I feel safe putting grass clippings in the run. When my hens were younger they would eat them, so I did not include grass clippings back then.