Straw

[SW31]

See thread Hens in the hall for background.

I’m using straw in the run in the hall, is this ok to use?

 

[Freisian]

See thread Hens in the hall for background.

I’m using straw in the run in the hall, is this ok to use?

Can’t find ‘the hall’ thread but I use straw in a covered run and outside run the latter just currently for winter

 

[JaeG]

Your poor girls! Lucky your vet knows his way around chickens.

I use straw all the time with my birds. I like it because it isn't as messy as shavings and they enjoy scratching round in it. Unless it's very coarse I don't think it's going to hurt your girls wounds.

Hoping they heal up quickly for you. Birds are tough critters.

 

[SW31]

See link below

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hens-in-the-hall.1218211/

 

[SW31]

The run outside has become very muddy. Can I put down straw there as well?

 

[luckyplucky]

Are you using "cut" straw? Generally straw isn't recommended for chicken litter/bedding because it isn't absorbent, can cause crop impaction, easily harbors mold growth and pests/parasites, and can't control moisture and ammonia levels (paraphrasing mainly The Chicken Chick here, but also many other sources). But I think I read that a "cut" straw/hay/zeolyte blend is ok. Haven't used it myself, so don't know what to suggest for indoors. Since it's a temporary situation hopefully it won't be problematic. Sorry to hear about your girls being attacked, I hope they are recovering nicely!

 

[JaeG]

I don't use hay because it's greener and can moulder (had that happen) but I've always used straw in my brooders for chicken and quail chicks and never had a problem. I use straw in both our runs, as well as our quail cages and never had any problems either despite it often getting wet. It's great for compost too as it breaks down so quickly. Pine shavings might be better in your muddy area as they take a lot longer to break down than straw.

 

[luckyplucky]

Good to know that people are using straw in runs successfully. I have definitely heard of folks using it and loving it, but the "DON'T USE STRAW" mantra has come at me hard from so many angles, I guess it's hard for me to get around, lol. I'm sure it depends on environment/weather/geography as well!
We do have straw in our side yard for the compost bin, and chickens roam there as well. One problem we have had is it's been a challenge for us to find a pesticide-free source of straw around here.

 

[nminusyplusm]

I use straw in the run with no problems at all.

 

[Freisian]

The run outside has become very muddy. Can I put down straw there as well?

I do for winter with a lot of the autumn leaves underneath, they scratch to their hearts content
I will be composting the lot in spring