Mr Rhode Island Red Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Yesterday I spent about 5 hours in total cutting, trimming, strimming, and generally neatening the hens walk-in-run (all done with a manual hedge cutter and a rake ). I had actually started to become embarrassed at the size of the weeds, rough grass, ferns, nettles and thistles so I thought I better tidy it up. After I cut up all the thistles, rough grass etc. I raked it all up and threw it away, but as I'm sure you would know, it is very difficult to collect up every single blade of grass. I managed to clear up at least 85% of it. What I am concerned about is the fact that the last time we cut the run with an electric strimmer, we lost 2 hens to sour crop from what I believe was the eating of tough grass. Only about 50% of the cut grass was collected that day. Could the same thing happen again? This time I collected much more of the grass, but as I know all too well it doesn't take much of a blockage in the gizzard to cause sour crop. Will they be OK, or is there further action I need to take? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I'd just wait and see, they should be OK, but as you say, it doesn't take much. One of mine had sour crop last week; I'd stupidly left the top of the compost heap open and she'd gorged on grass cuttings I syringed her with neat ACV for a couple of days and that seemed to put an end to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nannyhenny Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 Please, what is AVC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 Apple Cider Vinegar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsatroy Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 I didn't know eating grass can cause this! Forgive my ignorance, newbie here. I got my girls 3 weeks ago and things have been going great. I got my Omlet netting at the start of this week and every evening we have an area of grass sectioned off for them. Every evening they potter about looking for slugs etc. and eating the grass. Is this bad and could I end up with someone sick? Also what are the symptoms of this? Sorry for all the questions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 Grazing the grass is fine, but if they manage to down a whole load of clippings, or eat stringy grass then it can block the crop. When this happens the contents can easily start to ferment. Have a read of the sticky in the FAQ section for more information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
