Straw or hay?

[gabby3535]

Can someone tell me what is the best and safest (for the chickens) to use as 'enrichment' in the run.........straw or hay?
You know, for them to peck around in.........
And if the answer is 'hay', regular grass hay or alfalfa?
And do I leave the whole bale, or just a few flakes at a time...................?
Thanks for any advice....

 

[ibpboo]

I put alfalfa in my chickens nest boxes. They will eat some of it sometimes. They also like to eat oat hay or grass hay.

 

[thedeacon]

Hay in the run. alfalfa is best but either will work. Alfalfa is more nutritious. They will eat the hay. Straw is used for bedding and has little if any nutritional value. Only provide a slab or 2 at a time, not the whole bale.