Rolled hay, alfalfa hay, grass hay, Timothy hay- What the hay?

[Hamptons06]

We get a 50lbs bale of fescue hay at the local feed store for $4.

 

[frenchblackcopper]

We get square bales of wheat straw for about $2.50 here,but I will not use that for bedding in the winter,as it gets wet and never dries out and holds moisture. Chickens love straw at first,,but it "matts" down after awhile,and may be hard to pick up and remove. Alfalfa hay,2nd or 3rd cutting so the leaves and stems are more tender may provide the chickens some green to eat,but the stalks may be too tough for them to get any feed value from.Timothy hay on the other hand,once they learn the small heads are full of seeds, they may really like this stuff,but the stalks will have little value just as alfalfa stalks.Since they are dry they will be tough.

 

[babyblue]

we get round bales of grass hay, weight is over a thousand+ for 30 bucks. however I would not buy hay for a chicken run, I would only use straw. hay is still too green and slightly tasty and the chickens will eat anywhere from a little to a whole bunch. straw is not tasty at all and the chickens will eat much less.

 

[justplucky]

I Give My Chickies Hay Sweepings ( Lots Of Seeds ) To Scratch Through And Amuze Themselves But I Find Hay Gets Too Mucky During The Rainy Season...i Mulch Some Ceder Bows (just Clip It Small) They Don't Eat It, It Keeps Parasites Away, And Keeps Thier Feet Out Of The Muck, It Also Looks Nice And Stays Green For Weeks In Wet Cool Weather.:d

 

[Opa]

I use plastic nest pads in all of my nest boxes, easy to keep clean. Pine wood shavings in the coops, top dressed with DE and Stall-Dri. I don't use straw or hay anywhere as both hold moisture and are prone to mold. I've also had chickens get impacted crops for long pieces of hay and grass. This month I did buy 10 bales of oat straw for $2 per bale. I'm using them as wind breaks to help keep snow out of the runs and the in the spring I will use it as mulch around the plant in the garden.

 

[Big C]

We buy "old alfalfa" for cheap that has been stored dry for runs. Its high in protein value.
For nest boxes we use round bale coastal bermuda grass hay. Purchased for our cattle and makes great nesting material.