Why did grass kill my beloved hen?

[cottontail farm]

I wondered if the breed had anything to do with it too.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So sorry for your loss.

There may have been more going on than meets the eye, without a necropsy it's hard to say for sure. The undigested grass clippings may have been a side effect or a symptom. But the length was definitely too long, if it went on forever.

My birds eat grass every single day, no way to stop them and still have the life of free range that I choose for them, even Silkies.

I also dump clippings in the run, yes from my mower... (the dirt coats them, puh-lease! dirt is where grit comes from). I do however make sure that it's mowed often so the clipping aren't 10 inches long. Plus do it regularly so they don't gorge themselves. And don't worry about gas or oil from my mower since aside from spills, I would KNOW if I was losing fluids or having lots of blow by. I've raised hundreds of birds and not YET lost one to impacted crop in 8+ years. Many babies are on pasture by 3 days old here, and also straw and hay present as it is often part of the nest. The general suggestion is to minimize length to under 4 inches. When the chooks are free ranging they tear pieces off, not usually consuming a whole blade just tender tips. But I have seen them tear it off from the bottom and at least had a thought of concern cross my mind. And try to keep my fodder shorter than 4 inches. I wouldn't completely give up grass, personally. But make sure it is short enough (of course pesticide and herbicide free) and make sure grit is available, little pebbles or whatever. And consider this to be an uncommon tragic accident.

Your experience sounds especially terrible, and I hope you never experience it again.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Meant to add...

accidents happen... this is a learning process and we all start somewhere.

I also would NOT blame myself if I were you!

 

[cottontail farm]

So sorry for your loss.

There may have been more going on than meets the eye, without a necropsy it's hard to say for sure. The undigested grass clippings may have been a side effect or a symptom. But the length was definitely too long, if it went on forever.

My birds eat grass every single day, no way to stop them and still have the life of free range that I choose for them, even Silkies.

I also dump clippings in the run, yes from my mower... (the dirt coats them, puh-lease! dirt is where grit comes from). I do however make sure that it's mowed often so the clipping aren't 10 inches long. Plus do it regularly so they don't gorge themselves. And don't worry about gas or oil from my mower since aside from spills, I would KNOW if I was losing fluids or having lots of blow by. I've raised hundreds of birds and not YET lost one to impacted crop in 8+ years. Many babies are on pasture by 3 days old here, and also straw and hay present as it is often part of the nest. The general suggestion is to minimize length to under 4 inches. When the chooks are free ranging they tear pieces off, not usually consuming a whole blade just tender tips. But I have seen them tear it off from the bottom and at least had a thought of concern cross my mind. And try to keep my fodder shorter than 4 inches. I wouldn't completely give up grass, personally. But make sure it is short enough (of course pesticide and herbicide free) and make sure grit is available, little pebbles or whatever. And consider this to be an uncommon tragic accident.

Your experience sounds especially terrible, and I hope you never experience it again.

Lots of good information here!

 

[Birdsong 82]

Wow. I'm so sorry. That's heartbreaking. Definitely don't blame yourself. I think almost all of us give our chickens clippings or at least let them range in grass areas. I beleive all the greens are what give the eggs that sunshine yolk and it healthy for them. I know I always warn my daughter not to let twine from the hay bales get to the goats because it could bind up inside but never would've thought grass. So sorry

 

[BlueChai]

They had access to grit I purchased if the weather was bad and they had to stay inside the coop, where they had little access to dirt. I didn't actually give them grit when they were foraging because I thought that they would find their own grit like pebbles and stuff. Should I provide them with store bought grit even if they are outside?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

They had access to grit I purchased if the weather was bad and they had to stay inside the coop, where they had little access to dirt. I didn't actually give them grit when they were foraging because I thought that they would find their own grit like pebbles and stuff. Should I provide them with store bought grit even if they are outside?

I haven't, because like you say I figured they get it when they forage. But you certainly can if it makes you feel better.

 

[Birdsong 82]

I've never put grit outside. Couldn't hurt. I figure it's clippings if anything. When I watch my chickens eat forage I only see them bite only enough to fit their little beaks. I wonder maybe if that chick had a digestive issue

 

[Birdsong 82]

Just a thought

 

[lazy gardener]

My birds get lawn clippings from the bagger. There is plenty of hay in the coop. Never an issue with impacted crop or gut. And there are no issues with oil or gas in the clippings. If that were the case, I'd have a huge issue with my mower! I also toss copious amounts of long stringy weeds from the garden into my run. I often see my girls eating long pieces of hay. Do I want them to do this? NO, but I'm not about to stay in the coop and chase them around to pull those blades out of their mouths!

To OP, I'm sorry your bird died.