Can straw get wet?

[Jurassic Wolf]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-2-cu-ft-Black-Mulch-52050197/205606445

 

[rosemarythyme]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-2-cu-ft-Black-Mulch-52050197/205606445

That appears to be dyed (hence the even black color).

This one appears to be undyed though I can't read the photo well enough to tell for sure: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Swanson-Bark-Wood-Products-2-cu-ft-Brown-Decorative-Bark/1000373279

Your other option would be to get chips/mulch from a tree service, landscape supply or some towns offer free pick up, however in that case you'll want to make sure to set the chips aside to age a bit before you use them.

 

[Jurassic Wolf]

okay, what does aging do? and how long do I age them fore

 

[rosemarythyme]

okay, what does aging do? and how long do I age them fore

It lets the chips air out (some have some amount of aromatic oils in them, which can cause respiratory problems with chickens) and also lets the chips dry out to minimize any risk of harmful molds like aspergillus forming.

If you absolutely need to use chips right away (i.e. run is very muddy), I would do a very thin layer, and then gradually continue adding thin layers to build it up.

 

[Jurassic Wolf]

Okay thank you so much!

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Black mulch smells HORRIBLE btw. I wont use it for anything ever again.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

Like others have commented, mold is bad with wet straw. I won't even use it in my horse stalls.

 

[Soy Milano]

No, once straw gets wet it will start to mold. I recommend using an alternative bedding option which allows for drainage (perhaps rubber mats like they sell at feed stores for horse stalls or bath stalls). They do need something to go into to get out of the rain however.

 

[Jurassic Wolf]

just to be clear:
the straw is in their run
their run is UNcovered
they have a coop that IS covered, that uses pine shavings
what kind of bedding can get wet that is still comfortable for chickens

 

[Crow-ded house]

I like pine bark nuggets from lowes. I just need a butt load more due to heavy rains and flooding