Pinkybijou Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 Does anyone know if my chooks could be given the cut grass from the lawnmowings? We have just cut our lawns for the first time this year and just wondered before it all goes in the composter. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I have read on here that it can give them impacted crop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I give mine cut grass and they've been ok so far. I do check them later just to check but we've had no problems so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsm_jones Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I asked the same question and was told not to, as the pieces of grass could be too long. The pieces they eat when they are foraging about are broken off by their beaks and are only short bits. Then again....if it was only short cuttings..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I wouldn't risk it myself....but if you try them with a small amount of short clippings, and make sure they have acces to plenty of grit, they might be OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 Another reason they should be avoided is that they may have trace of motor oil on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsm_jones Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 AaaaHhhh! Its a BIG NO then! Never thought of that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinkybijou Posted April 26, 2008 Author Share Posted April 26, 2008 Thanks for all your speedy replies! I remembered that I'd put some weed and feed on only a couple of weeks ago, so won't be risking it anyway, but at least I know to perhaps only try them on short bits in the future. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 Another reason they should be avoided is that they may have trace of motor oil on Forgive me for being dim . . . but do you mean motor oil from air pollution ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I was also told at a talk at the local poultry centre that there is the danger of it heating up in the digestive system like a pile of mowings does when left for a short time. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 I was also told at a talk at the local poultry centre that there is the danger of it heating up in the digestive system like a pile of mowings does when left for a short time. Jo But wouldn't there be a chance of that happening if they just pigged out on fresh grass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckov Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 We used to keep horses when i was a child, and I do remember that you weren't supposed to feed them grass cuttings as when they are all macerated up like that it can give them colic. Obviously, chickens aren't horses!!! But I am sure it wouldn't do them a lot of good if just festered in their crops? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 But wouldn't there be a chance of that happening if they just pigged out on fresh grass? When they peck it up they take pieces the right size to digest, I guess. Plus the action of having to peck and swallow each bit means it is taken in more slowly than gulping down beakfuls of cut grass. I'm making this up, but it sounds reasonable! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted April 26, 2008 Share Posted April 26, 2008 Yes, there can be a clumping effect in cuttings. I sometimes separate a few short strands as I know they love it, but only that small amount. Otherwise they'd just down beakfuls, far more than they could peck at a time, and probably get impacted crop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsm_jones Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 Another reason they should be avoided is that they may have trace of motor oil on Forgive me for being dim . . . but do you mean motor oil from air pollution ? NO. Presumably from the lawnmower! I am no motor expert though, so forgive me if mowers don't use oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 NO. Presumably from the lawnmower! I am no motor expert though, so forgive me if mowers don't use oil. My old petrol mower did! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 The blades themselves have to have oil on to make them work. That was also the reason I was told that horses can't have mower cut grass - oil = colic. Petrol mowers may also leave traces of petrol on the clippings.Not worth the risk IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 The blades themselves have to have oil on to make them work.That was also the reason I was told that horses can't have mower cut grass - oil = colic. Petrol mowers may also leave traces of petrol on the clippings.Not worth the risk IMHO I agree Cinnamon.....for impacted crop risks as well as oil/petrol reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One_Box Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 I don't give our girls grass cuttings from the lawnmower however I do provide them with a supply of fresh grass in a wild bird feeder on a regular basis. I do this as their runs are on bark chippings. I have not had any problems to date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...