Using straw or hay?

[hamilton]

I have a 11 x 12 stall/shed that I am using for the chickens this year... there are 1 polish, 2 silkies, 3 golden comets, 2 barrockeds, 4 crossbreeds... This is my first year with chickens and want to make sure that they are warm... Do people use straw or hay to keep them warm? I have 3 2'x4'x8' roosts, 1 low 2'x4' x4' board for the silkies...and 2 nesting boxes. I have 2 bags of shavings and a large box 2'x4' wooden box with a roost inside... Thank you for any advice...

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I used to use straw but I find it annoying because the pieces are so big and it's an ugly color, so I switched to Bermuda because it's only like one dollar more, so now I have pretty, soft bedding.

 

[hamilton]

I was wondering if they would eat it.. I was giving them some of the horses hay but read somewhere here that they said it was bad for them.. Where would I get the bermuda one?

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

My chickens will scratch through it to find bits and bugs and stuff, but I don't think they actually eat large amounts of it per sey. Anywhere that sells hay should have it, it's very common.

 

[hamilton]

Thanks I will check into it tomorrow....

 

[cherylcohen]

straw for bedding, hay for eating - oat and alfalfa they love and good for them

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Another thing, the Bermuda composts faster and I don't have to worry about raking every last bit up because it's not nearly as ugly.