hay

[CHICKLOVER69]

My dogs have fleas bad. Been washing, spraying and dipping. Nothing I've tried seems to work until this last round. Think I have them under control finally. Treatment next week should be the last. It's not sandy here, more marsh mud than anything. Really liked sand in my brooder. May end up trying it in the run. The hay is not bad, just once it gets wet from all the rain we been getting it tends to smell a little. Been turning it over and that does help. Just been raining a lot more than normal this summer.

 

[Mahtowagal]

We just use hay inside. I dont need it outside yet...but maybe after their grass is gone. They are in my horse trailer right now as my husband finishes their turnout area and new chicken house.

 

[Mahtowagal]

They sure do love their dirt though too! I have dirt just in one area in the trailer and they absolutely LOVE "bathing" and rolling in it... Will definitely have to provide some dirt in their house all winter.

 

[kristin07035]

I hope this isn't seen as a dumb question but i thought of getting some hay for this winter to throw down when it gets muddy and snows.
Can i just buy the bales that they sell at the garden center this time of year for decorating? Or is there another kind i should get somewhere else thats better for my girls?

 

[Mahtowagal]

I would just make sure it's grass hay and you should be fine. You will probably pay more than is necessary though. I would just check your local craigslist for hay...and buy a few bales from a farmer somewhere....or there must be a local feedmill.... Feedmill will be twice the price of buying from a farmer. Not knowing where you live, I dont know if you have farmers close by. My girls love their thick green grass hay in their coop. I use it for bedding...and they just love sleeping on it.

 

[kristin07035]

Ok thanks I'll look around. I live in the suburbs but farm land only 1/2 hr drive away.

 

[Mahtowagal]

Good luck! I pay around 3.50 a bale here...but at the feedmill I believe it's around 7.50 or so. I have horses so have hundreds here

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Ok thanks I'll look around. I live in the suburbs but farm land only 1/2 hr drive away.

Since you are getting it for this use - ask about last year's bales -- many will still have some hanging around and would prefer to get them out of the way to make room for all the hay they put up this year. For your purposes, those bales that never even got taken out of the field last year (pass several places with a row or two of rounds neatly lined up, aging away) would do and you may find someone who would GIVE you them.

 

[CrazyTalk]

I just bought about 30 bales of what the farmer referred to as "cow hay" .. it had rained while the hay was sitting in the field drying (Prior to baling), and because of that he can't sell it to the local horse people with their finicky animals - we're using it mostly as sheep bedding (and eventually garden compost) - cost was about $3 a bale if I remember correctly - so certainly look around. Typically hay seems to be from $6-8/bale around me.

 

[Percheron chick]

I hope this isn't seen as a dumb question but i thought of getting some hay for this winter to throw down when it gets muddy and snows.
Can i just buy the bales that they sell at the garden center this time of year for decorating? Or is there another kind i should get somewhere else thats better for my girls?

What they are selling at the garden center is straw for Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations. It will work fine but you are going to pay through the nose. They are probably asking $8 a bale when it's $.50 straw out in the field.

If you go to the feed store and buy a bale of alfalfa, you can give them a section (flake) every few days and it will give them something green all winter long keeping your yolks nice and bright orange. Don't waste that soaking up the mud.