Hay or straw

[boomboomcoop]

I see lots of people using hay in their coop as apposed to straw.


Hay has moisture straw does not.

So if you have moisture problems... use the straw not the hay

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Welcome to BYC.

If hay has moisture it would mold. Properly cure hay is dry. Hay provides forage, especially in the winter months. We use it here because we freeze and stay frozen. Birds pick through it eating leaves and seeds. Come spring hay and any straw get removed and composted. Straw can harbor mites because it is hollow. So if you are in a warmer climate it can lead to problems.

 

[SourRoses]

I prefer hay in the nest boxes because it's softer, so it doesn't stab me when I reach for eggs, and the longer strands make for a better formed nest with less kicked out. We change it out regularly for clean eggs.