Is Moss Covered Land Safe for Free-Ranging?
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TheBroodyOne - Hatchling
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2025 7:31 pm
- Location: Iquique, Chile
Is Moss Covered Land Safe for Free-Ranging?
Hey everyone,
Over the past few years, my backyard has been taken over by moss, and Ive noticed its quite persistentmy neighbor tried to remove theirs, but it came back after a couple of years!
So, my question is: If I let chickens free-range in a moss-covered yard, will they forage there? And is moss safe for them to eat?
Im still in the planning stage for getting chickens, and would love to hear your experiences and advice.
Thanks so much in advance!
Over the past few years, my backyard has been taken over by moss, and Ive noticed its quite persistentmy neighbor tried to remove theirs, but it came back after a couple of years!
So, my question is: If I let chickens free-range in a moss-covered yard, will they forage there? And is moss safe for them to eat?
Im still in the planning stage for getting chickens, and would love to hear your experiences and advice.
Thanks so much in advance!
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CoopAlchemist - Hatchling
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2025 7:39 pm
- Location: San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Re: Is Moss Covered Land Safe for Free-Ranging?
I've heard some people say their chickens nibble on moss, but it doesn't seem to be a major part of their diet. Just keep an eye on it to make sure they aren't overly eating something else harmful, like mold.
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EggsAndGiggles - Chick Keeper
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2025 9:39 am
- Location: Katunayaka, Sri Lanka
Re: Is Moss Covered Land Safe for Free-Ranging?
Chickens will likely avoid moss unless they're really hungry or curious. It's not harmful in small amounts, but if your yard is really mossy, it could indicate drainage or pH issues with the soil that might affect other plants and insects.
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CluckAndGrow - Hatchling
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2025 2:42 pm
- Location: Escuintla, Guatemala
Re: Is Moss Covered Land Safe for Free-Ranging?
As long as they have access to their regular food, I wouldn't worry about the moss. It's not toxic, but they're likely to prefer foraging for seeds, bugs, and grass. If they nibble on the moss, it won't hurt them.
If I didn't start painting, I would have raised chickens.
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CoopConnoisseur - Chick Keeper
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2025 7:29 pm
- Location: Colón, Panama
Re: Is Moss Covered Land Safe for Free-Ranging?
Moss should be fine for chickens in moderation. However, if your chickens are eating a lot of moss, it might indicate they're not getting enough nutrition from other sources. Just monitor them and ensure they're eating a balanced diet.
Chickens: The ultimate recyclers.
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FeatherFlux - Hatchling
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2025 7:30 pm
- Location: Irkutsk, Russia
Re: Is Moss Covered Land Safe for Free-Ranging?
Moss usually isn't a problem for chickens. However, if you have a lot of it, it might indicate that the soil is too acidic, which could affect other plants in your yard. Just something to keep in mind.
Re: Is Moss Covered Land Safe for Free-Ranging?
I've had chickens free-range in a mossy area before, and they didn't seem to eat it. They much preferred scratching at the ground for bugs or seeds. No harm from it that I could see!
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FlockFather - Hatchling
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2025 7:30 pm
- Location: Belém, Brazil
Re: Is Moss Covered Land Safe for Free-Ranging?
I have moss in my yard, and my chickens don't pay much attention to it. They prefer to dig up insects and grass. As long as your soil has good drainage, moss shouldn't be a problem for your flock.
Re: Is Moss Covered Land Safe for Free-Ranging?
Chickens will generally free-range on moss without issue. They might not be super interested in it since it's not a typical food source, but I wouldn't worry about them eating it. It's not harmful in small amounts.
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FeatheredTrailblazer - Hatchling
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2025 7:30 pm
- Location: Mazatlán, Mexico
Re: Is Moss Covered Land Safe for Free-Ranging?
Moss isn't toxic to chickens, but they probably won't eat it much. They're more likely to forage for insects or plants. As long as they have access to other food and water, moss should be fine in their environment.