hay for chickens

[gracie58]

i got some hay, because i think my hens are ready to lay, but all they are doing is scattering it around and eating it, is that normal or is it to early to buy hay?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

i got some hay, because i think my hens are ready to lay, but all they are doing is scattering it around and eating it, is that normal or is it to early to buy hay?

Even mature, established laying hens will scratch at, scatter and munch on hay - it's what chickens do. Those that are preparing to lay will also start working out their nesting skills and this often involves a lot of pretty enthusiastic construction with the hay (done with feet and beaks). That being said, is the hay in the nesting boxes or have you scattered it everywhere? If it is the former and they are moving it out of the boxes there are some possible fixes to miminimize that - if it's the latter, expect them to continue as being scattered about makes it just another pile of stuff to be gone through looking for tasty morsels to eat.
How old are your birds?

 

[lazy gardener]

A bale of hay is almost as entertaining to a flock of chickens as a: compost heap, ant hill, flower garden, nicely mulched anything, pile of scratch.

 

[GreenDragon]

I have hay on the on the floor of my coop and wood shavings in my nests

 

[gracie58]

the 23rd they will be 5 months

 

[GreenDragon]

the 23rd they will be 5 months

only 3-4 of my 8 are laying eggs right now and they are about 5 months now i only get 1-2 eggs a day right now

 

[Carpenter Coop]

Do you think They like to play in straw

It was almost a full bale