Grass hay? HELP!??!?!

[rosemarysugar]

So I have some grass hay in my run and extra shelter.Is it ok to be there ar will the chickens choke on it .ECT?!!?!??!

 

[21hens-incharge]

They can get impacted crops from it.

 

[rosemarysugar]

They can get impacted crops from it.

So do i need to reamove it?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Sorry i was so brief up there. My dog was demanding to go out.

So yes they can get impacted crops from eating the long strands. Make sure they have chicken grit in a dish in the coop or in the run so they can get what they need. It is used to break down food in the gizzard.

Is it spread out or still baled?

How much is in there?

if you can spend a long while watching them you may find they aren't eating it.

Personally i would take it out. I just have to much invested in my birds to take a chance.

 

[rosemarysugar]

Sorry i was so brief up there. My dog was demanding to go out.

So yes they can get impacted crops from eating the long strands. Make sure they have chicken grit in a dish in the coop or in the run so they can get what they need. It is used to break down food in the gizzard.

Is it spread out or still baled?

How much is in there?

if you can spend a long while watching them you may find they aren't eating it.

Personally i would take it out. I just have to much invested in my birds to take a chance.

There is a decent amount.Thankyou!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Just keep an eye on them if you leave it in.

My birds probably think I am a creepy creeper because i am always checking their crops at night and in the mornings.
Full at night and empty in the morning before getting a chance to eat is the goal.

If you find full crops in the morning you may have a hen in need of treatment for slow or impacted crop.

 

[Howard E]

I routinely use grass hay in both the house as litter and have given it to my daughter for use in their run. Have never seen a bird eat it. Depending on the hay, there may be some grass seeds in there, but that is all I've ever seen birds peck at. Normally, they just scratch it around looking for bugs. Mainly what it does is separate the birds from their droppings, which filter down to the soil layer below where a slow rot/cold composting process begins. Birds stay high and dry and there is no smell. Ideal condition as I see it.

Over time, it starts looking like this.......



So at this point, you can add more hay to keep the process going, or go in and clean it all out, using the layer of black gold in a garden or flower bed?

BTW, grass hay......not a legume hay like clover, alfalfa, etc., is comprised of a hard, round grass stems, plus the leaves. The hard round stems are what gives it the structure to work. Legumes, and most cereal grain straws, have a high leaf content, or weak flat stems collapse and they more or less seal over and to not work well. They tend to mat down, seal over and will become a smelly mess when they get wet.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I routinely use grass hay in both the house as litter and have given it to my daughter for use in their run. Have never seen a bird eat it. Depending on the hay, there may be some grass seeds in there, but that is all I've ever seen birds peck at. Normally, they just scratch it around looking for bugs. Mainly what it does is separate the birds from their droppings, which filter down to the soil layer below where a slow rot/cold composting process begins. Birds stay high and dry and there is no smell. Ideal condition as I see it.

Over time, it starts looking like this.......

View attachment 1364401 View attachment 1364402 View attachment 1364403

So at this point, you can add more hay to keep the process going, or go in and clean it all out, using the layer of black gold in a garden or flower bed?

BTW, grass hay......not a legume hay like clover, alfalfa, etc., is comprised of a hard, round grass stems, plus the leaves. The hard round stems are what gives it the structure to work. Legumes, and most cereal grain straws, have a high leaf content, or weak flat stems collapse and they more or less seal over and to not work well. They tend to mat down, seal over and will become a smelly mess when they get wet.

Good to know. i am a worry wart over my birds so always cautious. In this case maybe to cautious.

Thanks.