Spanish moss for bedding

[Krayfish57]

Has anyone used Spanish moss for bedding? We have tons of it hanging off our oak trees here in north Florida. Just a thought...

 

[redsoxs]

Hey krayfish...I got to pondering about your Spanish moss question and typed 'spanish moss' into the BYC search bar. Apparently some folks use it - biggest concern mentioned was bugs being in it. From what I read chicken will pick at it but really eat it.

 

[rachlore]

I think it will be fine

 

[Krayfish57]

Thank you all very much! I have horses so I buy hay anyway, but, heck Spanish moss is free! I may try it and let ya'll know how it works out.

 

[fire hawk]

I too live in north Florida and just started using Spanish moss as bedding. So far so good...and it's free

 

[michaelpivola]

What happens if the hens eat the moss either by mistake or intentionally?

 

[Krayfish57]

Nothing. Mine eat it all the time. They love it.

 

[kbroom]

Hi. I'm just new here. Got my chicken coupe today! I live here in Rosharon, Texas. We have lots of oaks with Spanish Moss hanging from them. I was just wondering the same thing. I would certainly save me some money on the bedding.

 

[raingarden]

Does your Spanish moss have red bugs (chiggers in Texan speak)? In the Carolinas handling Spanish moss can result in a few weeks of itching.

 

[SourRoses]

We're drowning in the stuff, living under an expansive canopy of live oaks.

I wouldn't use it as a bedding because of its propensity to tangle.
It's like spaghetti noodles, if noodles were more fibrous and hard to pull apart. From sticks to feet, everything gets stuck in it.
If you could chop it, that would make a great bedding!
I haven't encountered the bugs others warn about. A lot of the stuff that falls off the tree is less healthy so may be more likely to be infested with something.
The healthiest, freshest looking stuff is still on the tree (except after storms).