The herb chicken is like the mint growing rampantly in the field of Southern California. It is not popular now, but in the past before the Spanish appeared, it was used in native cuisine for its spicy, citrus and minty flavor.
Index
Chicken Grass – Benefits
The benefits of raising chickens on pasture forage are well known to both full-time poultry producers and backyard chicken enthusiasts. The chickens raised on pasture require little initial investment , help to improve soil fertility, provide eggs rich in vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, eat pesky bugs and offer a sustainable approach to meat production.
To be beneficial to poultry, grasses must be naturally low-growing and rich in legumes and other herbs . Grasses are of little value to chickens when it comes to edibility.
Here, we’ve partnered with poultry producers across the country to bring you the best possible combination of legumes and herbs that produce abundant seeds and attract tasty insects. The common flax is a known source of omega-3 fatty acids .
Our poultry pasture mixes are easy to establish and will come back year after year. Ideal for large areas or small garden plots, they can also be used as a cover crop. In dry climates, these mixes should be watered for best results.
There’s no question about it, chickens are creatures of habit. It is like a clock. I can guarantee you to see my large capacity flock busy foraging for food most of the morning and the few hours before sunset, every day. This hectic daily habit isn’t just good for them; it’s good for me too
There is growing evidence from recent scientific studies showing that chickens that can roam freely, eat grass and insects lay more nutritious eggs that contain:
• ⅓ less cholesterol;
• ¼ less saturated fat;
• 2 or 3 times more vitamin A;
• 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids (and therefore a healthier ratio of omega-3 to omega-6);
• 3 times more vitamin E
Many chicken vegetables can be planted in grasslands such as lettuce, dykes (also called sorrel), cowpeas, mustards, clovers, sorghum, chicory, and dandelions.
Chicken Grass – Uses
Chickens especially will consume a lot of insects, larvae and insects in the meadow and on the ground , but we must remember that in nature, chickens would not congregate in such large numbers and would be confined to a farm. They would cover vast areas of grasslands and forests and would be constantly on the move looking for food.
In a farm setting, it is unrealistic to expect chickens to get all their protein needs, so their feed must be supplemented. Chickens don’t have to worry about where their next feed comes from!
1. Avoid contamination
A small flock of backyard chickens love to eat grass, but it is impossible for them to eat an entire yard. What destroys the grass is the high nitrogen content in fresh chicken poop. In the small confines of a chicken run, the rapid build-up of layers of chicken poop chemically chokes and burns the grass, wiping out everything that grows in a new run within a week.
Alternatively, a small amount of chicken poop is an effective fertilizer . A free-range flock evenly distributes chicken droppings throughout the yard, making this the cleanest chicken keeping method of all, with no toxic build-up anywhere. Of course, you still need to clean the coop regularly.
2. Let the grass grow
Keeping the lawn a little longer will help protect it from the high nitrogen content in chicken waste . On the other hand, short grass is already prone to drying out, making it even more vulnerable to chicken destruction.
When mowing, consider mulching rather than collecting clippings. When the grass is collected, the chickens chew on the tasty clipped grass, scratching the roots as they do.
Because chickens prefer easier work when it is available, mulch clippings offer instant gratification , and they kick them as snacks, rather than scratching them directly on the ground.
Grass is actually more nutritious for chickens than you might think. First, eggs from hens that eat grass will have healthier and darker egg yolks, a better hatching rate, and will taste better.
The herb also meets all of a chicken’s protein needs in the form of amino acids. For example, chicken grass has a protein contact of 11-16%, making it a great food option for chickens that need protein.
Surprisingly, grass provides about a quarter of a chicken’s daily nutrient requirements , causing them to eat less food. Therefore, you will spend less money paying for food. The grass is high in protein, iron and vitamins E and C .
Chicken grass – Properties
Pigs and chickens are very different from other animals that are raised for our consumption in that they cannot be productive and survive on a pasture diet. These animals are omnivores and that means they have dietary needs similar to ours. That doesn’t mean they don’t eat grass, they certainly do!
Expecting poultry and pigs to live only on grass would be like committing to a diet of leafy greens. We need a balanced diet and so do animals. Animals with only one stomach, such as humans, pigs, and chickens are unable to digest these fibrous materials and need a balance of energy, protein, and fat to live well.
If eating grass causes compaction that leads to disease and death, and chickens don’t eat grass; How did the herb get to the gizzard in the first place? We are not denying that gizzard compaction occurs, certainly yes, but for many reasons. The most common reason is that people new to the industry do not understand grass species, their composition, or their food value. They often do not understand the digestive processes of chickens and how grazing should be managed.
This is what you can find in a healthy chicken gizzard, pebbles and grit that will be used together with the powerful muscular action of this organ, to grind the food that the bird eats.
Here are some factors to consider:
- Protection: very important to have it with perimeter fences and temporary fences if you are turning your herd frequently. Open rural areas mean even more vulnerability for hungry predators.
- Shelter: Shelter is necessary to provide protection from the sun, heat, rain, and other elements of the weather. Chickens still need a quiet, sheltered place to lay their eggs and have access to a source of fresh water.
- Food: The herb alone provides little nutrition for chickens compared to other food sources, although it is a great source of Omega-3.
Dr. Samantha Robson ( CRN: 0510146-5) is a nutritionist and website content reviewer related to her area of expertise. With a postgraduate degree in Nutrition from The University of Arizona, she is a specialist in Sports Nutrition from Oxford University and is also a member of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
