Chickens eating dandelions

[ChickCrazyWorryWort]

My 10 week old chickens are in a pen and only “free range” every 2 weeks when I am doing a full clean on our small coop. Since they aren’t free range all the time I will pull dandelions, grass and other weeds from the yard and garden and put them in the pen. Today I noticed one of my chickens had a longer piece of a dandelion hanging from her mouth. Is this bad? Should I just let them be with this or maybe cut them shorter? I was able to take it out of her mouth without her showing distress. I am new to raising chickens and naturally a worry wort ever since I got these chicks all I’ve done is worry about them and how I care for them. So afraid I’m not being a good chicken Mama and may miss something! Thank you for all the support!

 

[Brooks_]

I've read that long pieces of grasses/weeds/herbs can lead to crop impaction. Smaller pieces will probably be the best. I'll watch the thread to see what more experienced keepers say.

 

[kcan2]

My chickens love dandelion leaves. I was told that they actually contain calcium!

 

[JedJackson]

If you are using the right feed, it has the right balance your birds need. A little grass, dandelion leaves or flowers is fine, but not too much. It is a good idea to cut or tear large pieces into smaller ones. Also, do not feed them any greens that have been treated with weedkiller or artificial fertilizers.

 

[ChickCrazyWorryWort]

First off I’d just like to thank everyone for the Info! We use purina start and grow non medicated crumbles with the chick strong system which I add grits to. We never put anything on our grass have always just mowed over any weeds lol. I am also interested in everyone opinion on treats. My chicks are very domesticated already and I thinks it’s because I spend lots of time with them durning the day and hold them whenever they let me. I also give treats no more than once a day rather it be grass/dandelions/weeds, mealworms, flock party’s shrimp delish or I recently started giving them farm to flock wholesome hen treats. I give them one of those things every day or every other day. I try using the farm to flock because I’ve been reading about how terrible treats are for chickens but they obviously don’t like that as much as the other kinds of treats I have. I think they like me so much because I give them treats so I don’t really want to stop unless it is for sure harming them. I only give them treats after I know they have eaten a lot of their normal food and only give them 1 small handful which is less then recommended on all the bags of treats. Sorry for my long wordy messages just try to give all the details I can.

 

[AntiqueB]

I give my grown girls between 1-3 teaspoons of treats daily. I usually give lettuce, cucumber, tomato, mealworms or other buggies, yogurt, or Farm to Flock. They free range in the yard, also. They enjoy eating any place out of the norm (they're going out to eat!), so even chicken feed on the ground or out of my hand is a "treat."

 

[Brooks_]

First off I’d just like to thank everyone for the Info! We use purina start and grow non medicated crumbles with the chick strong system which I add grits to. We never put anything on our grass have always just mowed over any weeds lol. I am also interested in everyone opinion on treats. My chicks are very domesticated already and I thinks it’s because I spend lots of time with them durning the day and hold them whenever they let me. I also give treats no more than once a day rather it be grass/dandelions/weeds, mealworms, flock party’s shrimp delish or I recently started giving them farm to flock wholesome hen treats. I give them one of those things every day or every other day. I try using the farm to flock because I’ve been reading about how terrible treats are for chickens but they obviously don’t like that as much as the other kinds of treats I have. I think they like me so much because I give them treats so I don’t really want to stop unless it is for sure harming them. I only give them treats after I know they have eaten a lot of their normal food and only give them 1 small handful which is less then recommended on all the bags of treats. Sorry for my long wordy messages just try to give all the details I can.

For clarity, grits as in breakfast or chick grit?

And treats are fine. Just not more than 10% of daily ration. So far, I only see the length of grasses and such as a potential issue.

 

[Brooks_]

so even chicken feed on the ground or out of my hand is a "treat.

X2

 

[JedJackson]

First off I’d just like to thank everyone for the Info! We use purina start and grow non medicated crumbles with the chick strong system which I add grits to. We never put anything on our grass have always just mowed over any weeds lol. I am also interested in everyone opinion on treats. My chicks are very domesticated already and I thinks it’s because I spend lots of time with them durning the day and hold them whenever they let me. I also give treats no more than once a day rather it be grass/dandelions/weeds, mealworms, flock party’s shrimp delish or I recently started giving them farm to flock wholesome hen treats. I give them one of those things every day or every other day. I try using the farm to flock because I’ve been reading about how terrible treats are for chickens but they obviously don’t like that as much as the other kinds of treats I have. I think they like me so much because I give them treats so I don’t really want to stop unless it is for sure harming them. I only give them treats after I know they have eaten a lot of their normal food and only give them 1 small handful which is less then recommended on all the bags of treats. Sorry for my long wordy messages just try to give all the details I can.

It's fine to give them treats, but just give tiny amounts of them. You're giving them very healthy ones-- greens and meal worms are two of the best. The idea is to not upset the nutritional balance they are getting in their feed, which is formulated for optimal growth and health.

 

[NatJ]

I think they like me so much because I give them treats so I don’t really want to stop unless it is for sure harming them.

Many chickens like wet chicken food. Just add water to a bit of their usual chick starter.

It is one treat that you can give them as often as you like, without ANY worries about their nutrition.