straw/hay and mites

[kimf]

Not sure if this is the right place but it fit better than other topics.

I have two bales of hay/straw that I use for fall decor by the front door. I keep reading about mites in hay/straw. I was thinking of putting one of the whole bales in the coop for the chickens to play on. Good idea?? or no?? We just put the sand down and the coop is pine shavings. I wasn't going to spread the straw, just let them play on the bale for a bit.

While I am asking...I also have corn stalks with dried corn on them. (At least what the squirrels have left behind) Obviously, I won't give moldy ears, but can the chickens have the dried ears of corn?

Happy Thanksgiving--I am thankful I found this site and all of you. I have gained enormous amounts of knowledge and advice!

 

[Azriel]

You should be fine putting the straw in the run, the chickens will rip it apart and scratch through it and make a mess, but they will love it. They will also love the dried ears of corn.

 

[Chicken1310]

Help…
We have a rooster and a hen, and straw bales… My problem has been for the last, close to two months?… I have had what I thought is chicken mites… on my body… A very itchy rash… I did hold the rooster the other day… And then today, May 31, 2023… I noticed his legs were cracked and it look like his skin underneath bright red… My mind immediately went to wow! Your legs look like my arms do… When I scratch with this intense itching…
Please keep in mind I have been dealing with this issue not knowing what it is for close to two months… It has not been fun… So I’ll look it up on the Internet… Come to find out, they can have chicken leg mites… The way they described. It is exactly how his legs looked… And it says it has a tendency to make your skin look like alligator, and or toad… And this is no joke maybe yesterday I emailed my family… They know I’ve been having this issue… I said… I am turning into may be an alligator, or toad… That’s how this makes your skin feel!
We are going to treat the chicken, and in treat myself. I have not been to the doctor because I initially thought it was chicken mites.
I am hoping for an answer… As I was growing tired of the intense itch, and the little tiny, bumps, and the red skin.
My husband put straw in their cage, pen…
I notice on the Internet all I have found is that they don’t live on humans, but I think just like a flea they can bite a human!
Has anyone had anything like this happen to them… It’s around my belly, my arms…

 

[nuthatched]

Help…
We have a rooster and a hen, and straw bales… My problem has been for the last, close to two months?… I have had what I thought is chicken mites… on my body… A very itchy rash… I did hold the rooster the other day… And then today, May 31, 2023… I noticed his legs were cracked and it look like his skin underneath bright red… My mind immediately went to wow! Your legs look like my arms do… When I scratch with this intense itching…
Please keep in mind I have been dealing with this issue not knowing what it is for close to two months… It has not been fun… So I’ll look it up on the Internet… Come to find out, they can have chicken leg mites… The way they described. It is exactly how his legs looked… And it says it has a tendency to make your skin look like alligator, and or toad… And this is no joke maybe yesterday I emailed my family… They know I’ve been having this issue… I said… I am turning into may be an alligator, or toad… That’s how this makes your skin feel!
We are going to treat the chicken, and in treat myself. I have not been to the doctor because I initially thought it was chicken mites.
I am hoping for an answer… As I was growing tired of the intense itch, and the little tiny, bumps, and the red skin.
My husband put straw in their cage, pen…
I notice on the Internet all I have found is that they don’t live on humans, but I think just like a flea they can bite a human!
Has anyone had anything like this happen to them… It’s around my belly, my arms…

Sounds like an allergic reaction.
Rooster legs naturally have a red steak, but you can post pictures of your birds to make sure.