What Grass Is Best for Raising Chickens? Top Picks for Healthy Foraging
Raising chickens on grass offers a wide range of benefits—from healthier birds and better eggs to a more natural and enriched lifestyle. But not all grasses are created equal when it comes to chickens. Some grasses are durable, nutritious, and safe, while others are too tough, easily destroyed, or even toxic. So, what grass is best for raising chickens? Let’s break it down so you can give your flock the greenest, healthiest run possible.
Quick Answer: Best Grasses for Chickens
The best grasses for chickens include clover, ryegrass, fescue, orchard grass, and Kentucky bluegrass. These varieties are nutritious, hardy, and safe for your flock to forage. They also recover well from pecking and scratching and support soil health.
Below, we’ll explore each type in detail and give you tips on how to grow and manage grass in chicken runs or pastures.
Top 5 Grasses for Chickens
| Grass Type | Why It’s Great for Chickens |
|---|---|
| Clover (White or Red) | High in protein, fast-growing, improves nitrogen in soil, chickens love it |
| Perennial Ryegrass | Durable, quick to germinate, palatable and digestible |
| Tall Fescue (Endophyte-Free) | Cool-season grass, tough and tolerant of heavy traffic |
| Orchard Grass | Shade-tolerant, nutrient-rich, good for grazing birds |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | Beautiful turf, recovers from scratching, chickens enjoy nibbling on it |
1. Clover: High Protein and Soil-Friendly
Clover is a superstar in chicken pastures. Both red and white clover are rich in protein and easy for chickens to digest. As a legume, it improves soil health by fixing nitrogen, helping neighboring grasses grow better too.
Best Use: Mix clover with ryegrass or fescue for a balanced and sustainable pasture. It grows fast and keeps chickens busy scratching and pecking.
2. Perennial Ryegrass: Fast-Growing and Palatable
Perennial ryegrass is a top pick for quick coverage and recovery. It’s high in sugars, which make it highly palatable for poultry. It’s also a cool-season grass, making it ideal for spring and fall foraging.
Downside: Doesn’t do as well in extremely hot or dry climates, but works wonders in temperate zones.
3. Tall Fescue (Endophyte-Free Only)
Tall fescue is known for being tough, drought-tolerant, and cold-hardy. It withstands heavy scratching and trampling from chickens. However, make sure to plant an endophyte-free variety—standard tall fescue can contain toxins that affect animals.
Pro Tip: Pair with clover for a nutrient boost and better palatability.
4. Orchard Grass: Shade Tolerance Champion
Got a shaded chicken run? Orchard grass is your answer. It grows well under trees or along fence lines and remains digestible even when mature. Chickens enjoy foraging on it, and it mixes well with legumes and other grasses.
5. Kentucky Bluegrass: Soft, Durable, and Chicken-Friendly
Kentucky bluegrass is a favorite for lawns—but it also works well for chicken yards. It’s soft, safe, and recovers well after being trampled. Chickens like nibbling on its tender blades, and it maintains its color nicely.
Ideal for: Smaller flocks or runs where aesthetics matter too.
Grasses and Plants to Avoid
Not all grasses and plants are safe for chickens. Avoid these in your chicken run or pasture:
- Johnsongrass: Can be toxic when wilted or frostbitten
- Sorghum grasses: May contain cyanide compounds harmful to chickens
- Foxglove, Nightshade, and Hemlock: Poisonous if ingested
- Old straw hay: Can harbor mold or mycotoxins
How to Maintain Grass in a Chicken Run
Chickens are tough on grass. They scratch, peck, and turn any area into dirt quickly. But with the right strategy, you can maintain a lush run or pasture.
Tips for Keeping Grass Alive with Chickens:
- Rotate pastures: Let one area rest while chickens graze another.
- Use chicken tractors: Portable coops allow for fresh grazing daily.
- Overseed regularly: Apply fresh seed after rain or coop rotation.
- Protect high-traffic areas: Use sand or mulch near feeders and waterers.
- Mix grass types: Use a combination of cool- and warm-season grasses.
Want to Build a Chicken Tractor or Rotating Grazing System?
If you’re serious about raising chickens on grass, a mobile chicken tractor or rotational system can work wonders. And you don’t need to spend a fortune buying prebuilt setups.
Download these expert DIY woodworking and survivalist plans to build your own movable coops, grazing pens, water catchment systems, and more. Easy to follow, cost-effective, and ideal for beginner homesteaders.
Get your plans here and build smarter today.
Keep Your Chickens Healthy While Foraging
As your chickens forage on grass, they’re exposed to everything from parasites to crop imbalances. Keep them strong and healthy with The Doctor’s Book of Survival Home Remedies—your go-to resource for natural poultry care, digestive health, parasite control, and first aid.
Packed with 200+ natural treatments, this guide helps you avoid unnecessary vet bills while giving your flock the best care possible.
Grab your copy today and raise healthier chickens naturally.
Conclusion
Choosing the right grass for your chickens can make a huge difference in their health, egg quality, and overall happiness. Stick with clover, ryegrass, fescue, orchard grass, and Kentucky bluegrass for optimal results. Avoid toxic grasses and rotate your run to keep things growing strong.
With the right setup and know-how, your chickens can enjoy lush, green foraging spaces year-round—and you’ll enjoy better eggs and a cleaner coop.
- The Doctor’s Book of Survival Home Remedies – Keep your chickens healthy with natural treatments
- Woodworking & Survivalist DIY Plans – Build a better coop, fence, and rotational system
Grow smart. Feed green. Raise happy chickens the natural way.