If you keep backyard chickens, you’ve probably wondered: can chickens eat grass clippings? After mowing the lawn, tossing the clippings into the run feels natural. The answer is: yes, chickens can eat grass clippings — but with some caution. Fresh, untreated grass clippings are safe in small amounts, but long, wet, or chemically treated clippings can cause digestive issues or even crop impaction. The safest way to let chickens enjoy grass is through natural foraging or carefully chosen forage blends.
In this guide, we’ll cover the pros and cons of grass clippings for chickens and recommend safe forage products you can use to enrich their diet.
Quick Picks: Best Forage & Grass Alternatives for Chickens
- Best Overall: Manna Pro Forage Seed Mix – A reliable mix of rye, clover, and forage peas for chicken runs.
- Best Budget: Cover Crop Forage Blend – Affordable seed mix that grows quickly and provides grazing greens.
- Best Premium: Hancock Seed Company Chicken Forage Mix – Premium poultry-specific forage mix designed for long-term grazing.
Buyer’s Guide: Grass Clippings and Chickens
Before tossing lawn clippings to your flock, consider these points:
- Fresh vs. Old: Fresh, short clippings are safe. Piles of old, wet grass ferment quickly and may cause digestive upset.
- Length: Long grass clippings can cause crop impaction. Always provide short, chopped grass only.
- Chemicals: Never feed clippings from lawns treated with pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.
- Safer Option: Let your flock free-range or plant forage seed mixes in a chicken-friendly area.
- Balanced Diet: Grass should supplement — not replace — layer feed or balanced poultry diets.
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Manna Pro Forage Seed Mix
Who it’s for: Backyard chicken keepers who want a safe, nutritious alternative to lawn clippings.
Key Benefits:
- Blend of ryegrass, clover, and forage peas
- Encourages natural scratching and grazing
- Boosts flock nutrition with fresh greens
Pros:
- Fast-growing blend
- Safe and chemical-free
- Improves soil health
Cons:
- May need reseeding after heavy grazing
- Not ideal for very dry regions
Final Verdict: A great alternative to grass clippings. Check price on Amazon.
2. Cover Crop Forage Blend
Who it’s for: Chicken owners on a budget looking for a quick forage solution.
Key Benefits:
- Affordable seed mix
- Fast-growing greens
- Dual-purpose: improves soil and feeds chickens
Pros:
- Low cost per pound
- Can be planted in runs or gardens
- Chickens love the tender greens
Cons:
- Less variety than premium mixes
- Needs protection while young
Final Verdict: A budget-friendly way to add safe forage. Check price on Amazon.
3. Hancock Seed Company Chicken Forage Mix
Who it’s for: Keepers wanting a premium, poultry-designed forage solution.
Key Benefits:
- Custom blend for chickens
- High-protein legumes and grasses
- Long-term grazing option
Pros:
- Professional-grade seed mix
- Boosts egg quality and health
- Stands up to repeated grazing
Cons:
- Premium price point
- Requires soil prep for best growth
Final Verdict: The best premium forage mix for serious chicken keepers. Check price on Amazon.
4. Outsidepride Clover Seed Mix
Who it’s for: Owners looking for clover-rich forage.
Key Benefits:
- Nutritious clover blend
- Improves soil nitrogen
- Chickens love the taste
Pros:
- High in protein
- Affordable and easy to grow
- Works in most climates
Cons:
- Not as varied as mixed forages
- Can be overgrazed quickly
Final Verdict: Perfect to mix with other forage seeds. Check price on Amazon.
5. Barenbrug USA Forage Grass Seed
Who it’s for: Large-flock owners needing durable grass cover.
Key Benefits:
- Tough forage grass
- Holds up under chicken traffic
- Great for runs and large yards
Pros:
- Durable and long-lasting
- Provides steady grazing
- Improves ground cover
Cons:
- Not a complete forage mix
- May need reseeding over time
Final Verdict: A rugged grass seed option for heavy chicken use. Check price on Amazon.
6. Eretz Ryegrass Seed Mix
Who it’s for: Owners seeking fast-growing forage.
Key Benefits:
- Quick-germinating ryegrass
- Provides nutritious grazing greens
- Controls soil erosion
Pros:
- Sprouts rapidly
- Affordable seasonal planting
- Chickens enjoy grazing
Cons:
- Short growth cycle
- Needs frequent reseeding
Final Verdict: A quick way to provide safe forage instead of clippings. Check price on Amazon.
Comparison Table
| Name | Key Features | Specs/Capacity | Price Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manna Pro Forage Mix | Rye, clover, peas blend | 5 lb bag | Check Price |
| Cover Crop Blend | Budget grass and clover mix | 5 lb bag | Check Price |
| Hancock Chicken Mix | Premium poultry forage | 10 lb bag | Check Price |
| Outsidepride Clover Mix | High-protein clover forage | 5 lb bag | Check Price |
| Barenbrug Grass Seed | Durable forage grass | 25 lb bag | Check Price |
| Eretz Ryegrass Mix | Fast-growing ryegrass | 5 lb bag | Check Price |
FAQ: Chickens and Grass Clippings
1. Can chickens safely eat grass clippings?
Yes, but only fresh, short clippings. Avoid long, wet, or chemically treated clippings.
2. What’s the danger of grass clippings?
Long strands may cause crop impaction, while old piles can ferment and upset digestion.
3. Can grass clippings replace chicken feed?
No. Grass should only supplement a balanced poultry diet.
4. What’s the best alternative to clippings?
Planting forage mixes like clover, ryegrass, or poultry-specific blends is safer and healthier.
5. Can chicks eat grass clippings?
Not recommended. Young chicks may choke or struggle with digestion. Stick to chick starter feed.
Conclusion
So, can chickens eat grass clippings? Yes — but only if they are fresh, short, and chemical-free. Old, long, or treated clippings can be dangerous. A safer option is to let your flock forage naturally or plant a chicken-safe forage mix in your yard.
If you want to provide safe greens, check out the recommended forage seed mixes above. They’re healthier, safer, and better for your flock long-term than random grass clippings.
Special Guide for Coop Owners
Foraging is just one part of chicken care. To raise healthy hens with confidence, we recommend:
Backyard Eggs: The #1 Guide in the US
- Step-by-step coop building instructions
- Noise and smell control tips
- Beginner-friendly care routines
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