What About Hay In The Run??

[BeckyLa]

Our property was just hayed and the folks were kind enough to leave "puffs" of hay laying about.

Soooo, I was wondering if this loose hay would be good to put in the chickens runs for them to dig and play in or with the coming seasonal rains would it tend to mold and make the birds sick?

 

[silkieluvr]

Our hens LOVE the hay, and surprisingly they don't just play in it, they eat it!

 

[arlee453]

Hay is not absorbent and will get nasty quick.

If you just put it down for them to play in and rake it out when they are done it would be OK, but I wouldn't use it as bedding in a run.

Just my 2C worth...

 

[seminolewind]

I love hay and have had the best luck with hay and shavings mixed. I can tell how well this mix works by how much poop under my shoes that I leave with. With hay and shavings, minimal. Karen

 

[BeckyLa]

So you don't have problems with it becoming moldy when it rains? Mold is my biggest concern.

 

[okiechick57]

I put hay in mine so they can dig through it.but have to remove it regulary so it doesnt mold........but they love it !

 

[ctjim]

once the hay gets wet watchout as it will mold fast if conditions are right. i would save the amount you collect up and give it to them a little at a time, just so you don't waste it all at once. i use hay in my nest boxes and they love it, as well as snack on it.

 

[Scrambled Egg]

I've never used hay, I buy pine shavings and love the fresh clean smell. It's easy to rake up too and then I transplant it to my garden area to be mixed in the dirt for my upcomng spring garden. I didn't even know chickens would eat the hya, I may check that out as a treat whenI visit my feed store again. I know my chickens love alfalfa and I buy that in a little bag from petsmart and give it as a treat.

 

[Wynette]

Watch out not to put too many pine shavings (which is a tough one...how much is too much?) in your garden. I have horses, and the first few years I used pine shavings I put the manure in the garden. The 3rd year, I had a terrible output for my veggies. Took a sample to my local ag extension office, they tested it, and it was off in so many categories it took two full years to get the soil back to where it should be for a garden. They said that happens when folks put too many pine shavings in the garden. Live & learn, I guess!

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
oops! I meant in the coop, in the run I have sand.