Hay vs straw for disabled chicken

[Lazygaze]

I’m a first time chicken muj having hatched eggs on 1st Dec. I was using small bags of small animal hay(I think) from m the supermarket, but I recently bought a big bag of straw for my chickens, however, I have a chicken with a twisted tibia and therefore a very bad limp, and she spends a lot of time hop-turning on the spot to get in the right direction she wants to go, if that makes sense. The previous stuff I had was short pieces, and didn’t cause her a problem but this new straw is long pieces and get wrapped tightly around her good leg. I’m untangling a big bunches of it from around her leg several times a day. Unfortunately I have a lot of this stuff left and I’ve been trying to chop it smaller with scissors but it’s a never ending task.. I wondered- is hay shorter than straw?! Should I be buying something specific if I want short pieces? Was I just unlucky? I know nothing about this kind of thing so would appreciate any advice! Thanks

 

[Lazygaze]

Chicken *mum!

 

[FuzzyCritters]

The hay I use is the same length as straw. You might need to buy a specific kind of straw or hay, or use shavings instead.

 

[Lazygaze]

The hay I use is the same length as straw. You might need to buy a specific kind of straw or hay, or use shavings instead.

Shavings, hmm I hadn’t considered them. I’ll have a look on eBay! thanks

 

[Kirkwooder]

Forget both and get some shavings.

 

[black_cat]

Shavings, hmm I hadn’t considered them. I’ll have a look on eBay! thanks

If you're in the US, shavings can usually be found at any tractor supply, rural king, or any other farm store.

 

[Lazygaze]

Apologies for my ignorance but shavings are different to sawdust right? Bigger pieces.. This kind of thing?
I had sawdust briefly when they were tiny and they started gaping and I panicked and got rid of it! But these bigger shavings wouldn’t affect respiratory I guess would they?

 

[FuzzyCritters]

Apologies for my ignorance but shavings are different to sawdust right? Bigger pieces.. This kind of thing?
I had sawdust briefly when they were tiny and they started gaping and I panicked and got rid of it! But these bigger shavings wouldn’t affect respiratory I guess would they?

Yup, the bigger shavings are fine for them. Just make sure they are not cedar, as those can harm their respiratory systems.

 

[Anime2lover]

Shavings, hmm I hadn’t considered them. I’ll have a look on eBay! thanks

We use shavings for our bedding and hay for the nesting boxes.

 

[Lazygaze]

Thanks everyone! I’ll give shavings a go