will Hay hurt chicks?

[tboneranch]

We treat our hens to a flake of alfalfa about every other day. TWO on Christmas day

I beleive (maybe incorrectly-hopefully someone will tell me if my logic is crazy that the chloryphyl in the green leaves of alfalfa makes the orange of the yolks! Since there is nothing green growing and the hens won't walk on the snow, it gets them out and moving around. I scatter their evening scratch on what is left of the hay. They don't enjoy the stems as much, so we have better luck with alfalfa.

 

[lesterlu]

Quote:
Poulets is right. atleast i know straw (diff than hay?) can bring in aspergillis and cause aspergillosis in wet areas. you can google it-chicken/aspergillis. i live in a humid area, so i wont use it in my coop. i know from past (nonchicken) experience.

 

[skovats]

I use hay in the winter my chickens like to scratch it and they also eat some as well never had any issues

 

[John Hodgen]

Hey All,
Raised chicken with my Grandad to sell as a young man and even had three in Fl. for eggs and to keep my garden de-bugged. Will be getting back into growing some up here in Wv. My comment is about the cost. One person said hay is $3 and straw goes for$2.50 where they live!? I have a horse that I bought hay for
the winter at$3.50 a bail, straw for the barn/stalls go for almost $6 a bail here. The dust from hay is a consideration but if they like it I don't see a problem as long you keep it to a minimum. I'm a new member and just got back into having chickens. They are a joy!!