Straw in run?

[GatsbysGirl]

I also have a covered run and use straw. It is easy to rake up and get rid of. The kids love it and have a ball spreading it around. I also find it very inexpensive around me (I get it free).



Quote:

Hay is usually grass/alfalfa or a mix of the two. Straw is the harvested remains of grains such as wheat or rye. Hay is used for food and straw is mostly a non food by product.

 

[sezjasper]

Thank you, Gatsbysgirl!

 

[mommto3kiddos]

I agree with the poster above that stated if you get alot of rain, watch out. I tried it in our run last winter. It turned out to be a very wet winter and it was a disaster!! The chickens loved it on the days I would put fresh out, but the rest of the time it was wet (even with sand under it) and did not smell to good..

 

[Lescas5795]

We had a bad experience with hay as well. The mud, hay, poop and rainfall altogether made what seemed like bricks!! Hard to get up!!! We now use pine shavings.

 

[marianne7]

It's great to get everyone's opinions because I'm also undecided (thanks for posting, Tenderkat!) Hopefully someone can answer a very stupid question for me...what's the difference between "straw" and "hay" or IS there a difference? I seem to find the two terms used interchangably.

Yes there is a difference, Straw is wheat and is usually used for bedding for animals, Hay is grass dried and baled and used for food for animals - hope this helps

 

[azulrooster]

I use straw in the covered coop, but only dirt in the run