straw as bedding?

[figuerjo03]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I see the pine shavings vs. anything else debate is still alive and well.

 

[cottage19]

Our girls have shavings inside the coop but we do toss straw down on the (small) barn floor - the coop is attached to the barn and they love roaming about in this safe, weather protected area. We've started getting snow and I notice that they are spending more and more time in the barn even though the door is wide open and they can easily get out if they want to. Spoiled girls.

 

[stilldeb]

The way they make straw around here, literally right behind my house, is from genetically modified winter wheat after it has been harvested, that has had RoundUp dumped on it in in the field (which won't kill the wheat because it's GM). Out back it was also crop dusted twice this year, along with our house, our yard, and my 16 yr old toothless dog when our windows were open and the wind blowing toward the house. I grabbed the dog and brought him in, but I have had severe respiratory problems ever since (diagnosed with sarcoidosis - related? - who knows). This was actually before my first chickens were out of the brooder, so they were safe. So we use pine shavings. No straw. I've seen/smelled/ and apparently inhaled what they put on it. (and they supply this straw to our local Rural King/Southern States, etc.)

deb g
KY

 

[Treesa]

Thanks for the info about GMO Wheat. The places they hide this stuff! Trying to be an organic backyard gardener/farmer is no easy task. I'll stick with wood chips.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

by the direct manipulation of its genome usingbiotechnology. It has also been termed GMO wheat, GMO standing for genetically modified organism. As of 2013, no GM wheat is grown commercially, but many field tests have been conducted.

 

[res]

They don't sell GM wheat in the US, and never have
I suspect you saw them spray something else other than Roundup

I agree. My husband's family and my family grow wheat and other crops on their farms in KS that total several thousand acres in size. The wheat might get fertilizer, but never Roundup. Fertilizer can be applied in a variety of different ways, while Roundup (IME) is generally applied as a liquid with a boom sprayer. I suppose it could be applied aerially, but I've not seen it done.

It amazes me that the majority of farmers live long, healthy lives while being exposed EVERY DAY to all these substances the general public freaks out about. If they are so darn dangerous, don't you think the death rate/illness rate of farmers would be off the chart? Most of the public will be exposed to these substances in minute highly diluted forms, yet we loose our minds because of info that gets circulated via social media and the internet. And the news media, because they are the epitome of honesty, ya know!

 

[yogifink]

Quote:
res, although I agree with you and don't want to start a farming practice debate there is a big difference between exposure and consumption. There are many studies showing that the use of GMO seed, chemical fertilizers and herbicides result in a higher than normal mortality and cancer rate to those who consume aforementioned crops, not to mention the huge influx in the last decade of food based allergies. There is a reason there are many other countries which have banned the use of certain fertilizer, herbicides and GMO seed. The media does blow things way out of proportion, but media was also used to promote the application of DDT as a healthy practice and show smoking as a cool and trendy thing to do.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: Cancer rates have actually declined in the years since GMO crops were introduced, and no CREDIBLE studies have ever shown they are harmful in any way.
https://www.google.com/search?compl...client=psy-ab&q=cancer+rates+since+1990&btnK=

Much of what gets repeated is simply misinformation like the "GMO wheat"

I know of no "fertilizers' that have been banned anywhere.
Do you have any links to that"

 

[res]

Cancer rates have actually declined in the years since GMO crops were introduced, and no CREDIBLE studies have ever shown they are harmful in any way.
https://www.google.com/search?compl...client=psy-ab&q=cancer+rates+since+1990&btnK=

Much of what gets repeated is simply misinformation like the "GMO wheat"

I know of no "fertilizers' that have been banned anywhere.
Do you have any links to that"

Thank you. Someone else who knows the truth.

 

[4 the Birds]

I tried straw - it just got wet and moldy, not to mention poopy. The shavings are much easier to manage. We just stir them up once a week to mix in the chicken poo. A little Diatemaceous earth sprinkled on top once a week and some Sweet PDZ if it rains for days and the coop gets wet.

+1 No Contest. Shavings work far better than straw inside the coop. Straw has great insulating properties if you choose to leave it in bales around the coop/run for wind breaks.