Is Hay Okay??

[Laurajean]

I'm expecting my chicks either tomorrow morning or the next morning. I had my brooder lined with newspaper, but people advised me that they needed traction, so I laid paper towels over the paper (can't use pine shaving due to asthma). Hopefully the paper towels will work well, most people here seem to think that will be fine.

But it just occurred to me that I have a small bag of Timothy Hay leftover from my Guinea Pig who recently passed. Is it okay/safe to sprinkle some hay into the brooder (on top of the paper and paper towels) for added traction and/or interest or is that bad for some reason?

Thanks!

 

[debilorrah]

The only thing that is a real no-no is cedar shavings. However, I use old towels in my brooder. Gives them traction and all you have to do is remove it and throw it in the washer.

 

[Jasmine1998]

When they grew too large for their horse water tub, but still too small for the big house I sectioned off the back portion of my horse trailer with hay bales (timothy mix to be exact). They were fine with it, they even would pull little pieces out of it & eat them & it never hurt them. They really like it when they would pull one of the top pieces of timothy out, it kind of looked like a little worm - they would play keep away with it. They even have a bale in the big house now. They love to sit on it.

 

[ceci]

I also experienced that hay bales are very popular with chicks. As Jasmine told they really like to sit on it, they pull little pieces out of it and play with it. I do not think that it is unhealthy because my little ones also eat some pieces and they are very healthy and happy

So do not worry.