Grass Height for Pastured Poultry

Granted everyone's situation on pasture will be a little different but so far I have found that the broilers and even laying hens are happiest when the grass is about at soulder height.

When the grass is this high they can easy reach any seeds or flowers to eat them, they can look around for danger, they can see where they are going, and there is enough grass to create a comfortable bed.

It also is a good height for moving the chicken tractors. The grass around the mobile housing creates a visual barrier which helps to keep your chickens in during a move while it is short enough where you are not battling the grass.

[frank_III]

john - love the T Shirt, is that your logo from the closing video shot?

[krmorris]

Is it possible to raise them 100% on forage? I realize it would take considerably longer. If so what would need to be planted for them in the field? Also do you seed this field or just use what is already growing? I find my Cornish cross are like welfare chickens. They are lazy and want their food just handed to them.

[happyhopper]

Hi John
I want that T-shirt! Where did you get it? Thanks for all the great tips!

[CiecieNewson]

I bet you get the best tasting eggs John Suscovich .  You may have told us but are those chickens for laying eggs or just for slaughter?  If for egg laying, about how many eggs do you get a day from that row of chickens in tis video?  Smile!

[AT-Prophet]

I'm curious, are you mowing your pasture at any time? Is it a small enough area they can keep it grazed down to a maintainable height or do you need to come in?

[moldprintsrl]

would you consider or have you tried the "compost feed chickens" method ?! what do u think about that

[GrazingAcresFarm]

I just raised my first batch of broilers (Cornish cross). And I figure regardless of the grass height they only ate 10-15% of their diet from the pasture. Is this your findings also? What grains do you feed yours and do you mix your own?

[kristipyatt]

Do you use an electric fence around your tractors?  I use a premier fence around the tractors ( I use your plans ) but it feels redundant and so time consuming to move and mow when they are already surrounded by a 5 strand electric perimeter fence., in the pasture they live in.    I remember you having a strand of hot wire around your tractors.  Do you still do that?

[akhunter]

How much do you save on feed by letting them eat bugs, weeds, grass etc in the mobile coop?

[danghormley]

How many chickens do you have in each tractor?

[kencoumou]

But John, can you fry a chicken? Inquiring minds....