HasSumAmi Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Hi All My garden is rather unloved . We don't so much as have a lawn as clods of grass in various places . The grass length varies but is a maximum of 20cm long in places. We are doing up the garden but don't have a lawn mower, and it will take awhile etc. etc. My question is - if the girls peck at this length of grass will it cause them problems with impacted crop? They are in their run (which is on grass) for most of the day, so their main diet is pellets, although they do strip the grass in their run area. When I let them out they nibble at more grass, some leaves, peck at the soil and really annoyingly seem to be intent on eating the pebbles that are round the house. I give them either raisins, sunflower hearts and corn as treats (daily if I can). And when I noticed that the grass in their run was stripped bare and they were trying to nibble at the grass through the bars, then I popped lettuce in the run which they devoured. I've had the girls since second week of Feb. and they came from Omlet POL. although no eggs yet... Thanks so much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 yes long grass and straw can cause crop problems as it can build up in the crop and cause a big ball. Best to try and keep it reasonably short if you can to prevent any chook problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Yes....I'm afraid so. Not the answer you were wanting I know. Can you borrow a strimmer to clear the grass? Don't forget to gather it up though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 I though chooks just ate the tops of the grass (if it's rooted that is!) so while I know it's a v.bad idea to give them cut grass, I thought growing grass was ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 IF it is the strandy sort in dryish soil that they can pull out wholesale, it can cause major probs if you are unlucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirkwood Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Hmmm i put some straw in the nest box should i take it out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 i did use straw once when we first started out and now i've changed to hemcore. I dont want to alarm you but someone's chicken recently on here had a crop operation and it was full of a straw lump which had to be surgically removed. Im just wary of straw, not everyone's chooks will eat it, suppose you have to be careful though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 found the other thread - (under Geraldine has gone to the vet) heres a quote about straw Geraldine ended up having surgery this morning - the vet tried to get the lump out, but couldn't and we had already agreed that since she was being anaesthatised anyway, they should go ahead and operate if they couldn't get the lump out. Apparantly her crop was blocked with a tennis ball size lump of tangled straw (plus the maggots that we fed her to try and clear it). She's very weak (since she hasn't had much food into her lately it would appear), and staying at the vet again tonight - they're unsure if she will make it because she is so week, but if she manages to get through the night, she will be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirkwood Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 its out in the morning then, no more straw, ever. cheers for that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 its out in the morning then, no more straw, ever. cheers for that no problem dont be embarrassed (I used it once). I just think its better to avoid it if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Just wanted to say my Bizmillah had to have crop surgery after gorging on long grass. It cost me £90 and I thought I was going to lose her. I've since woodchipped over my lawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirkwood Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 All the straw is out. i use it for the quail to keep them warm but of course i will just stick to hemcore in future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HasSumAmi Posted March 14, 2008 Author Share Posted March 14, 2008 Thanks one and all. I'll get DH to get some sort of lawn mower!. It's only long where it clumps up to be honest. The garden really needs TLC! Will tryand sort it all out over the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
