Will moldy hay hurt them?

[kara_leigh]

We got some small hay bales from our neighbors to use in the nesting boxes, and they are slightly moldy...enough that I can smell it standing next to them, but I am VERY sensitive to the smell of mold. I HATE it. If I use it, will it hurt the chickens that sit on it? Is there anything I can do to get rid of some of the mold?

Thanks!!

 

[justbugged]

Yes mold is harmful!!! I don't recommend it at all.

 

[justbugged]

With moldy hay you should just compost it. I don't know of any way to make it safe for animals. It would be better to compost it, or use it as garden mulch. Though with hay the seeds in it can sprout in the garden when it is used as mulch. Composting it is the way to go.

 

[Olive Hill]

Bales of hay that you can smell standing next to them are not slightly moldy. Compost it. Mold is tough on the respiratory tract -- yours and theirs.

 

[chickenbum]

Will hay in the chicken run which is coverEd be ok?