long grass and pullets

Shazzer · « **on:** August 29, 2007, 21:33 »

I have a 6 hens one of which seems unwell. She is about 19 weeks old. She isn't moving about as much as the others and looks uncomfortable. When I checked on her tonight she had long mucky grass hanging from her rear, i pulled it and it came out along with a long hard poo, I don't know if thats sorted her out. Does anyone know what has happened, i have heard of long grass blocking up the crop.

richyrich7 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2007, 21:41 »

Hi Shazzer welcome to the forum, not too sure on what may be wrong, but are they getting enough grit ? I've heard of long grass and crop troubles just wondered if it had gone through undigested due to lack of grit.

Plenty of very experienced poultry keepers on here so advice will be froth coming I'm sure.

Shazzer · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2007, 21:44 »

Hi and thanks for the reply, we feed them on layers pellets which i thought had grit in.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #3 on:** August 29, 2007, 21:45 »

Long grass is not a good idea for chooks. Not as bad as hay but not good ! Long grass tends to be tough and hens don't chew. Crop impaction is a big risk and luckily your chook has managed to pass it through. Mow your grass ! Hens love to graze on the short new growing tips of the grass and you'll have happy hens

chickychick · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2007, 21:54 »

yikes my new chickens have been gobbling up great long pieces of grass since they arrived two days ago are we in trouble?

?
They are getting layers pellets and there is pleanty of grit about in the pen.

richyrich7 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2007, 21:58 »

Quote from: "Shazzer"

Hi and thanks for the reply, we feed them on layers pellets which i thought had grit in.

It has I think enough in for just eating pellets and nothing else, or it could be that pellets are so processed that they don't need them if fed nothing else.

I always give mine grit ad lib and also give them ground oyster shell ad lib as well, it provides calcium for egg production.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2007, 22:01 »

I always have poultry grit and oyster shell available for my hens. That will help digestion and griding up of food in the gizzard, but it will have no benificial effect in the crop !

Shazzer · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2007, 22:04 »

my hens had a long run which is kind of muddy and gritty now I thought that they would get a certain amount of grit naturally from the earth. I will get some grit/oyster shell from the pet shop

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #8 on:** August 29, 2007, 22:08 »

Mow the grass too Shazzser :!:

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