OK to treat with grass clipping?

[cookiesdaddy]

Since I can't let my chicks (4 weeks old) roaming the backyard anymore (after a couple of close calls with hawk problem), can I dump some of the yard clipping in the brooder as a treat? Is it safe? Do the chicks go after tiny bugs or do they actually eat the grass?

THANKS!

 

[jmantoo1]

hi i feed my chickens grass everday and they love it they are in big pens no grass so they think grass is a treat

 

[keljonma]

Don't let the grass clippings get wet and moldy. They need to be small pieces. You might be better off letting them out in the yard for 30 minutes when you can sit with them.

If you have a baby gate or small fence you could set up with some mesh over the top they should be okay. We have hawks here and it isn't unusual to see 15 a day. So I never let our small chicks out by themselves.

 

[cookiesdaddy]

keljonma: what about full grown chicken? are hawks shy away from grown chicken? just couple days ago we had a hawk landing right on a tree on our yard while my son and I were standing right there with the chicks. so I don't think me sitting around is going to be helpful!

 

[keljonma]

Before we had chickens, a Cooper's Hawk flew into the glass of our living room window while chasing a wild bird on a Thanksgiving Day. It was laying on the ground for a while in the snow before it flew off, probably just stunned, as it hit the window pretty hard. It was about 18" long from head to tail.

Our chicken flock is almost a year old. We have a 2 acre farm that is completely fenced and our birds have the run of the whole farm. Since our property is fenced, we did not build a run for the flock. If we're not home, the birds run loose in the barn instead of the farmyard. As I am unemployed off the farm, this isn't often or for long periods of time. We do lock the flock in the hen house at night, as we are surrounded by farm and wood lands on all 4 sides of our property.

Like I said, it isn't unusual for us to see 15 hawks a day. The birds usually hide under a vehicle, a small bush, in the barn or in the hen house if they sense danger. I think our Great Pyrenees may be responsible for keeping the hawks from trying to attack the flock. He barks at them and has chased a few off the fence. Understandably, our flock likes hanging out with him. Here is a snap of part of our flock with our Great Pyr last December.

If edited, most likely for typos.

 

[allen wranch]

When birds graze naturally they bite off small pieces of grass, scratch a little, pick up some dirt, etc.

When the grass is already cut, they tend to eat more and in bigger pieces. As a result, it can cause impacted crops. I know of one member who lost several birds by feeding them grass clippings.

It is recommened if you want to feed grass clippings, to run them over several times with the mower first to make the pieces smaller, and to not feed a whole lot at once.

 

[chickbea]

Something I have done in the past when my grazing space has been limited: I dug up big clods of grass from a neighboring field and threw them in the pen. Not only were they getting greenery, but bugs and other treats as well. Yummy!

 

[intownfarm]

Awesome Picture. I wish I could teach my dog to guard chickens! I give my babies & hens grass clippings but I think I am not near as picky with what they get to eat as some of the people here (I haven't lost one yet though)!

 

[allen wranch]

I throw clumps of grass in the runs for them too. They love it and the dirt gives them some more grit.

 

[homechick]

I've been working outside a lot so I let my babies run around the backyard. So fun to watch. But when I saw a hawk a block away earlier today, I decided not to let them anymore.
I haven't noticed them going for grass but they go CRAZY when they get around clover. I grabbed a few patches of it and held it tight while they pecked at the tiny leaves. Great bonding.