hay, straw or alfalfa - for the run

[Wynette]

Arielle, I think you have likely been very lucky so far as to not have impactions. I didn't realize hay could be a problem, either, until I had my first impaction & did a bunch of searching....then, took that hen to the vet, and the vet flushed out a HUGE ball of hay from her crop. I felt horrible. And I eventually had to put that hen down, because the hay ball was so large, it distended her crop, making it sag down, feed would get "stuck" in the crop and it eventually began to rot...I know it sounds like I'm being a major wet blanket, and I hope NO ONE else ever has the issue. Just thought it would be good to know of the possibility.

If you search here on BYC for "impacted crop" - there are several home surgeries that have been performed showing what was removed from the crop, and it's most always hay.

 

[ranit]

I've always used wheat straw with no problems. They seem to scratch around a lot in it, but don't really eat it.

 

[Wynette]

With straw, it seems that if there are other food options, they won't eat it, except for the seed heads. But, the other problem with straw is that it harbors mites - see here: http://www.ok.gov/health/documents/Straw%20Itch%20Mites.2010.pdf

Seriously, just avoid straw & hay if you can; I'm not trying to start arguments, and I'm sure some folks have no issues, but why take the chance?

Here's a crop surgery thread with pics:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=229796

 

[turtlebird]

I have used straw in my covered MN run for two years now. The first year I used to throw flakes of alfalfa in there (no idea which cutting it was??) and they would scratch around in it and eat the tiny little leaves. No impaction problems that year. Then I read that alfalfa could potentially cause impaction, so didn't offer any the second year. Just straw. No impactions. I think it is wheat straw. I have sand in the run this year, I think I will still put down straw.....I like to hide apples and pumpkins in it for the ladies to amuse themselves with. Although after reading this thread, I am a bit wary......

 

[Wynette]

Turtle, I know what you mean. Honestly, straw is better to use for throwing down for them to just scratch around in than hay - much better. And, I think the mite issue is seldom seen in the winter - I suppose if the straw harbors mites, they would die when it begins to freeze...so long as that would happen BEFORE you pitched it into your run, maybe that lessens the chances drastically? Then, so long as you rake it out before the spring thaws, you're probably okay.

 

[karlamaria]

So no straw, hay or Alfalfa ok. so I will just not put anything down in the run. I am planning to tarp the top with a better tarp, and then put 6x10 tarp panels on each side ( my coop is 10x10x6 also going to put some straw on the out side of the pen to keep the wind down ( sort of a shield) we have terrible winters. next year I will be adding a door that opens on a timer! I hate getting up so early when I do not have to LOL'

 

[rngrbill]

Karla

I have a couple of low roost in my run which is 5 x10.7. I've seen pictures here of logs and even teter-toters made out of 2x3 or 1x2 my set up too small for that but looks like fun and would alow them to get off the ground every once and a while.