Straw in summer?

[KimKat33]

Hey guys! So last summer for my run it was just all dirt, the smell wasn't terrible but it definitely was there. Come fall/winter I ended up using straw on top of snow to help my chickens. Now that spring is here and summer is fast approaching, I was wondering if it would be okay to continue using straw, even in the middle of summer? I have heard horror stories of straw and hay spontaneously combusting and now I am worried. I know a lot of people use sand or mulch in their runs, but I just don't have that sort of option. I heard that the straw will just decompose fast so thats why some people use it, but I don't wanna use it if it can just catch fire with the heat and wind.

 

[DobieLover]

Straw will mold. I use wood chips that I get for free by the truck load.
It slowly decomposes and makes a good dust bath medium.

 

[Cecisflock]

Straw will mold. I use wood chips that I get for free by the truck load.
It slowly decomposes and makes a good dust bath medium.View attachment 2596149

x2

 

[KimKat33]

Straw will mold. I use wood chips that I get for free by the truck load.
It slowly decomposes and makes a good dust bath medium.View attachment 2596149

Thats pretty :O
I have a disabled chicken who hops around on one leg, I wanna keep the ground kind of 'squishy' for her so its not so hard on her stub. Would using wood chips still be okay? The straw I planned on raking and turning, taking some to my composting bin when needed and adding more. Its also easier for me to get straw than woodchips as well...

 

[RobertaD1]

Look into Chip Drop.... (google it )
They will dump them just where you want them...and they're FREE. I would also let the chips set, or age for a bit in the pile. They need to age. But, Ive used newly chipped bits, but only put in an inch layer at a time. after a couple weeks, I start filling in where they scratch them away, adding a wheelbarrow load at a time.
The wood chips are softer than you would think.... you can also use yard debris in there as well. Leaves, grass clippings, pine straw.... anything I rake. They break them down very quickly.... I also run the larger yard debris through the shredder. I will put down an inch layer of wood chippings, then rake leaves up and throw them in on top of new chips. We have a woods near the farm... there are always leaves somewhere

 

[aart]

I have heard horror stories of straw and hay spontaneously combusting and now I am worried.

Have never heard of that happening in a chicken run.
Where did you hear that?

Hay and maybe straw can spontaneously combust when stacked wet in a barn.

 

[KimKat33]

Have never heard of that happening in a chicken run.
Where did you hear that?

Hay and maybe straw can spontaneously combust when stacked wet in a barn.

I was at a feed store and some other person was telling an employee there that they refuse to use straw because it will combust. I don't know anything about straw so I figured I'd ask you guys instead of just going along with it.

Thank you!

 

[aart]

I have heard horror stories of straw and hay spontaneously combusting and now I am worried

Oh, so just one story.....about straw!?

I was at a feed store and some other person was telling an employee there that they refuse to use straw because it will combust.

Should have started with this^^^ and asked if it was true.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I also use wood chips. I like them the most. Our city has a set up where you can just go and load up wood chips for free. They make it as natural as possible and dont accept any treated wood.