rye straw instead of wheat straw? Is it safe for chickens?

[Chicken love to infinity]

Henlo! The guy at the feed store accidentally gave me rye straw instead of wheat straw. I use straw for ground cover/ bedding and nesting boxes. Is it the same thing and is it safe for chickens?

 

[sourland]

It is different, but it is safe for the chickens.

 

[Chicken love to infinity]

It is different, but it is safe for the chickens.

Thanks so much!

 

[Chicken love to infinity]

I just put some down. They love it and I actually like it better! It's chopped smaller and thinner, and it also absorbs more moisture!

 

[3KillerBs]

Any dry organic material that isn't inherently toxic itself should work fine in the chicken run.

 

[Chicken love to infinity]

Hey guys! Quick question- I got some new chicks a couple of months ago and they are now around 6-8 months old. I have never put down straw before in their run, but it has been frosting and icing and I was worried about them getting frostbite, so I put some down in their run. They seem to like it, but if some hay falls into their waterer or feeder, they eat it like it's the best treat in the world. Or if I throw them some treats I notice they get a few bites of hay. They are not starving, and I give them 6-8 cups of food free choice for the 11 of them, and they usually leave a few cups. I guess they just like the taste? Is this a problem? I let them out to free range a bit - while I can watch them, for them to get some grit. Should I be worried about crop impaction?