Hay for indian runners ?

[NettyM]

Hello everybody ,
Somebody has kindly given me a bale of meadow hay to use as bedding for my 2 ducks , they have always had straw , will they be ok if they eat it ? They are very nosey and mischievous and the bale of hay is in their pen with them so they've been very curious about it so far . I haven't made their bed for tonight as yet as I still have a tiny amount of straw left to use . They're not interested in eating the straw at all as it's always been a constant presence in their pen ! But they somehow know this hay bale is different !

 

[Table4Six]

I wouldn't allow them to eat too much hay even though it is just dried grass due to the possibility of their crop becoming compact. Will you have a water source placed in the area where the hay will be spread? Hay is highly susceptible to becoming moldy because it holds so much moisture.

 

[NettyM]

Ooo I'm taking it out ! Can't take any chances with my babies !

 

[NettyM]

I wouldn't allow them to eat too much hay even though it is just dried grass due to the possibility of their crop becoming compact. Will you have a water source placed in the area where the hay will be spread? Hay is highly susceptible to becoming moldy because it holds so much moisture.

I've taken it out . They have water and grit in their pen at all times but they're so mischievious I know I couldn't trust them , thanks for the swift reply !

 

[Table4Six]

I've taken it out . They have water and grit in their pen at all times but they're so mischievious I know I couldn't trust them , thanks for the swift reply !

No problem. I have 28 ducks, four of them are runners and I absolutely love them, such amazing, sweet, funny little de-buggers. I never use hay with them due to fungal infection risks, etc. that could occur if they ate moldy hay.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I made my own hay for my five runner ducks this year. They love to nibble a little bit here and there, but don't really eat it and it's exciting as long as it is fresh. The only disadvantage of hay vs. straw is that duck poop dries faster on straw than on hay. The two duck who built a nest used hay to upholster the inside.

 

[chickens really]

Hay is feed and doesn't hold in heat like straw.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Hay is feed and doesn't hold in heat like straw.

Tell that to my Duckies! They love to sit in it!

 

[chickens really]

Tell that to my Duckies! They love to sit in it!

Straw is hollow and holds in heat. Hay doesn't. Hay is feed.
I grew up in Alberta and Saskatchewan farming country.

 

[Ryder]

Hello everybody ,
Somebody has kindly given me a bale of meadow hay to use as bedding for my 2 ducks , they have always had straw , will they be ok if they eat it ? They are very nosey and mischievous and the bale of hay is in their pen with them so they've been very curious about it so far . I haven't made their bed for tonight as yet as I still have a tiny amount of straw left to use . They're not interested in eating the straw at all as it's always been a constant presence in their pen ! But they somehow know this hay bale is different !

can we some picturews of the ducks