Hay or Straw?

[beeksnfeet]

What is better to use, hay or straw? Not to sound stupid, but I always thought they were basically the same thing. Our run is going to muddy soon due to the fact that sooner or later the snow is going to melt (I hope). Any thoughts?

 

[AmandaVirus]

I would go with straw, it's a lot drier than hay and won't mold as fast, also it's cheaper, as hay is intended for horses and cattle, ect to eat. While straw is used as a bedding.

 

[dave3003102]

Its better to use rice husk, if it it available or you can use straw.

 

[260906]

Hay will also introduce thousands of weed seeds into your yard.

 

[beeksnfeet]

I would go with straw, it's a lot drier than hay and won't mold as fast, also it's cheaper, as hay is intended for horses and cattle, ect to eat. While straw is used as a bedding.

Thanks! I will go with the straw when everything starts to thaw. I want to clean up the run, then cover it. I should have done it before, but just didn't realize how beneficial it would be. You sure learn alot the first winter you have chickens!

 

[beeksnfeet]

Its better to use rice husk, if it it available or you can use straw.

Where do you get rice husks? I've never heard of them before. Is that what you use?:/

 

[beeksnfeet]

Hay will also introduce thousands of weed seeds into your yard.  

Weed seeds I do NOT need. My yard is all weeds anyway, so I guess it really wouldn't matter, but it seems straw is the winning choice. Thanks for the reply!

 

[dave3003102]

If you never heard anything about or don't know about it then internet is best place for you. Go and search for it. As the rice husks soaks water quickly and also dry up soon.

 

[260906]

Where do you get rice husks? I've never heard of them before. Is that what you use?

I've found it at local gardening/landscaping businesses. I have bought a 5-gallon bucket full for $2, and I think they sell it by the load, also. The rice hulls are great as a soil amendment to break up heavy clay soil, so it would make great garden compost after your chickens are through with it.

 

[jstlitlome]

I used straw last summer and it worked pretty good. But since fall I am still using leaves that I am still raking up! I love the leaves! They compost up nicely and the chickens love to scratch it up! Here in a few weeks I'm going to dig it out and throw it all in the garden. I'm sure this summer, I will end up going back to straw, but it does take longer to compost.