Questions about straw

[DianeS]

I may want to use straw in my run, but I have some questions first:

1 - What are the dimensions of a bale of straw? (I need to know if I can fit some in my car, or if I need to borrow a friend's van.)

2 - How many square feet will a bale of straw cover? Assuming I want it about 4 inches thick.

3 - How often will I need to replace it? Unlike DLM in the coop, the straw in the run will be exposed to the elements and trampled into the mud when it rains, so I assume it needs replaced more often.

Any help you can give in answering these is appreciated!

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Can you tell I'm not a big fan of straw. Might be great in a barn on a ranch or farm, but in my suburban backyard is was not fun. Way too much and way too much mess. And it took forever to get rid of.

Imp

 

[cappy]

When you say "run" I assume you are talking about the area outside the coop. If so, straw might not be your best cover for numerous reasons. First if the ground is covered with straw it will act like mulch and the ground won't have a chance to dry out. That will lead to all kinds of health problems for the birds. It will become moldy and full of bacteria that are not good for the chickens. It will also began to aquire an aroma after a day or two especially if you are in a hot, humid area of the country. You would need to constantly chance the straw in order to maintain a health flock. Also there is the problem of disposal of the used straw. You would need a place to put it after you cleaned the run andf that could amount to a sizable and possible fragrant "haystack".

I think a much better alternative would be sand or even pea gravel. Either one would be much more cost effective than straw plus it would last a long time. All you need to do is rake it every couple of days and cover it with a fresh layer every few months. To keep the odor down sprinkle sweet pdz once every week. Yuo can make a "rake" with a pitch fork covered with hardware wire to scoop out the pooevery couple of days.

Much cleaner and more sanitary than straw, and cheaper in the long run.

Ken

 

[j3707]

I have straw a few inches thick over about half of one of my paddocks. It encourages the worms to come up from the ground and attracts insects. The chickens spend a lot of time scratching around in it.

It stays wet and cool here 3 seasons. The straw gets mouldery, but doesn't stink. I just let it be. It slowly breaks down and provides good bug/worm habitat and good organic matter for the soil.

Maybe try it out on half your run and see how it goes. I think it's a good idea to give the chickens a couple options anyhow...half gravel and half straw might work out well for you.

 

[chickboss]

Straw is great for nest boxes. I personally hate using it even as the flooring material inside a coop, let alone outside. I would do what the previous posters have suggested and use sand and/or pea gravel. Straw has to be changed very often.

 

[DianeS]

I'm aware there are other options, but does anyone else have answers to these specific questions about straw? Please?

 

[j3707]

1) DianeS - As Imp wrote, there are different sizes. 2 string bales are about the smallest I've seen. Estimate 14” high x 18” wide x 3-3.5 feet long.

2)So about 1.75 sq feet per flake x 9 flakes at 4" deep (for 3 foot bale) = 15.75 square feet covered per bale.

3) Change it as often as you want! Depends on what you want the straw to do for you. Circumstances will vary.

Good luck...