Unsecure chicken perches

[eliza_faery]

Hi all!

 

I'm new to chicken keeping, and unfortunately I only have a small garden. I intend to let my chickens roam my garden as much as I possibly can so they have as much grass in their diet as possible but I work full time so it will only be for a couple of hours a day .

 

I have come across a product online called redigrass the bio about it is:

 

Friendly ReadiGrass is 100% natural feed, made exclusively from

British Pastures. The unique low-temperature drying process removes

only the water leaving the fragrant aroma, vibrant colour and high

nutrient value of fresh grass. This gives a feed that is more

nutritious than hay, yet still contains the digestible fibre

essential for your animal’s health.

 

This highly successful product is carefully prepared to allow your

pet to benefit from the goodness of natural grass all year round.

 

The high fibre content enables a healthy digestive system to be

maintained and limits the development of disorders including

overgrown teeth.

 

The drying process protects the product from deterioration and

contamination.

 

Typical Analysis

Protein 12%

Oil 2.5%

Fibre 28%

Vitamin C 150mg/kg

 

Would this be safe to feed chickens? It would only be a suppliment to their normal diet and obviously I'll let them have normal grass for as long as possible. I think it seems ok as it's only grass that's had the water taken out and not the nutrients. Any thoughts? I don't really want to kill them...

[Egluntyne]

I'd be worried about it causing crop impaction.

 

Why not give them cabbage, broccoli and other fresh greens to peck at instead?

[Space Chick]

I agree, hanging a cabbage or some broccoli on their run will keep them amused and give them their greens.

[Cinnamon]

Mine never eat grass,as they are in a pen all the time,and they are fine.

As others have said, the occasional green treat will keep then healthy and amused

[The Dogmother]

I've used that for the bunnies; it's no good for chooks, and as Egluntyne has said, will cause crop impaction.

 

See if you can get some cabbages to string up, or the discarded outer leaves from market stalls.

[chelsea]

I agree with the above comments. I would not worry about their grass intake - mine do eat from my small patch of lawn but I never substitute when the lawn is gone. Feeding long/dried grass could lead to crop problems as already mentioned.

 

Other greens - spinach, sprout trees, broccoli etc can all be enjoyed.