Twice now, I have tried to put hay in my chicken's coop. I had been using shredded pine bedding, which they have been using with no problems. So, tonight, after I cleaned their coop, I put some pine bedding on the floor, then put one nest in the coop.
When I put the chickens back in the coop, they all freaked out (all 4 of them).
They immediately flew out of the coop. Then I tried to put them back in one at a time (after gently talking to them and holding them). I'd set them each in the nest or near the hay while touching them to show them it was okay, but I still got the same reaction.
If they are afraid of the hay, what alternatives can I use (because I will be putting them in a new coop that is about 20 times larger than their current coop and I can't afford to line the floor of that coop with pine bedding)?
When I put the chickens back in the coop, they all freaked out (all 4 of them).

If they are afraid of the hay, what alternatives can I use (because I will be putting them in a new coop that is about 20 times larger than their current coop and I can't afford to line the floor of that coop with pine bedding)?
