How high can a chicken jump?

[*mummy_hen*]

Is it ok to use hay as the 'bedding' material in the nest boxes and that sort of thing, i don't want to use sawdust as am worried it will get in their eyes and things.

[Mrs Frugal]

No, you shouldn't use hay, I'm afraid. If they eat it, it isn't easily digested and can get tangled up in their crops and cause blockages and apparently if it gets wet, it can release spores which can cause respiratory problems. Wood shavings, Aubiose, Hemcore or even shredded paper are much better options .

[Guest]

agree with kate but if you use wood shavings make sure the dust has been extracted. We use aubiose, it's great stuff and composts brilliantly.

[dogs and chickens]

As I understsnd it and I know lots on here would disagree hay is fine in nest boxes. You should not use it in the run etc. But just as a lining for a nest box is fine. I used to use straw in my nest boxes as I had some left over from something else and the hens loved it, however now the girls have used up the straw I now buy Hemcore, it's much better, really absorbant and the girls love it more than they did the straw, and I wonder why I did not listen to the wonderful people on here before We live and learn. Plus straw gets all over the car, whereas hemcore comes in a nice enclosed bag (and is grown in this country!)

 

Michelle

[*mummy_hen*]

Will look into hemcore - thanks.

[Egluntyne]

I wouldn't even use hay as a lining for the nest box I'm afraid.

 

The hens aren't bright enough to appreciate that it hasn't been put there as food, and will still eat it.

 

It simply isn't woth risking an impacted crop.

 

Aubiose is wonderful stuff....I would heartily reccommend it.

[Abbey Road Girl]

Hello mummy hen,

 

Chickens are almost the very cheapest part of hen keeping, especially hybrids which cost very little and lay lots of eggs year round.

 

That said, I wouldn't risk using hay, though others have used it without problems, for the reasons that others have already given.

 

You will have a big emotional investment in your chickens so that justifies (if justification is needed) using the safer alternative of hemcore or aubiose.

 

The very fact that you asked the question qualifies you as a very good mummy hen!

[pbfhpunk]

Hello mummy hen,

 

 

The very fact that you asked the question qualifies you as a very good mummy hen!

 

Hi

 

I was bit upset by this part of your answer, I understand what you're saying but I checked on this forum and saw a lot of people saying they use hay in the nest box but not to use straw so I did, so I feel like I'm a bad mummy hen as I didn't ask the question but found the answer.

 

I'll probably end up using shredded paper as I don't want to use the same material that's in the run.

 

Thanks

 

Helen

[TAJ]

Hay is a big no no in any chicken book. Straw however is sited as OK in most chicken advice information sheets & books (they do not eat it and less mold spores when damp) - but on this forum there are many people that still do not like straw, mainly because it is not that absorbant and, if long strands, it can get tangled in their legs.

 

Because we had stuff already for the guinea pigs we first put straw in the nesting box - they scratched it all out, then I used shavings (dust extracted) - they scratched it all out, then I used shredded paper - they scratched it all out. In the end I gave up trying things we already had and bought some Jopack (very like auboise) - they scratched some of it out for a couple of days - but are now very happy with auboise.

 

...I am not saying I have the most fussy hens in the world they just know what they like.

 

Tracy

[superjules]

I'll probably end up using shredded paper as I don't want to use the same material that's in the run.

 

Shredded paper gets damp and manky really quickly, even just from the humidity of their feathery little bodies. Is there a reason why you don't want to use the same material in the run and the nestbox? I use aubiose for both.

[Egluntyne]

Shredded paper gets damp and manky really quickly, even just from the humidity of their feathery little bodies. Is there a reason why you don't want to use the same material in the run and the nestbox? I use aubiose for both.

 

I agree with what superjules says, and was wondering the same about the need for different materials in the run and nestbox.

 

I too use Aubiose in both and it is perfect.

[chickenanne]

I use Hemcore, but occasionally wonder about using paper in the nestbox - it's got to be a 'greenest' option, as you're just reusing something you already have which can then be composted. But if it gets manky from their own humidity, then I guess it will get manky in the nest box, too.

[dogs and chickens]

Hay is a big no no in any chicken book.

 

Tracy

 

The chicken book I have told me to use hay in the nest box! I already had straw so that's why I used that although I would have brought hay if I had not already had straw. As I have said earlier I now use Hemcore (really only due to the mess straw would make in my car when collecting it from the farm). I can understand why people shy away from hay and straw although I do think these conditions must be few and far between as people have been useing hay and straw for their chickens for hundred's of years, and being a farmers daughter I have never heard of any problems apart from on this forum regarding use of hay or straw where chickens were concerned!

 

If I had a supply of either of these products for use with other animals I would have to have more information on how often these conditions were likely to happen to not use the product! Is this something that has only come to light over the last few years?

[Egluntyne]

I think now that we view chickens as pets rather than expendable farmyard creatures who would just have their necks wrung if they were ill, and mindful of how expensive vets fees can be, we are anxious to eliminate any risk, that's all.

 

I wouldn't be prepared to risk it myself, especially as there are so many safe and reasonably priced alternatives available.

 

As always, any advice given on the forum is based on experience, and with the best of intentions, but it is entirely up to the enquirer whether they take it or not.

[*mummy_hen*]

I must admit....i do feel rather confused by it all now!

 

However, i want to look into all options to see what is best, had a look on the internet and that i could see, there is only one supplier of hemcore in my whole county?!! Does this sound right.

 

Is there anywhere online where either hemcore or auboise are sold and can be delivered or suggestions of where to look locally if this is stocked?

 

My mum has ducks and was advised against Hay but has always used Straw with no problems......

 

oh the plot thickens! Hehe!

[The Dogmother]

You can get Hemcore and/or Aubiose from most feed suppliers or horsey stores (my local one sells both).

 

As the others have said, I advise steering clear of hay because of the problem with mould spores and compacted crop caused by eating it. Straw, whilst very picturesque int he nest box with a few eggs in it, makes a nasty mess as the top layer often looks dry while it is soggy and smelly underneath.

 

I use Aubiose in the nest box, run and poo tray - it is brilliant for all of those and saves buying any extra stuff.

[TAJ]

Dear 'Mummy Hen'

 

Do not be confused - when you come around on Saturday you will see what I use - currently the brand I have is Jopack, which is almost identical to auboise. I use the same stuff in the poo tray & nest box like a number of people on here.

 

My sister has a farm/horses so has advised (and I have checked on the internet) basically Hemcore & auboise (both slightly different - hemcore is corser) are just brand names - what you are looking for is a hemp or flax based horse bedding product. There are loads of different brands - the horsey suppliers near me offers about 5 different products - different brand names - I ended up using Jopack because they told me that is the one other people buy from them for use with chickens.

 

I will show you how I clean it out and put in fresh and you will see how well it works. The trouble with straw is it is not absorbant, so any poo is still poo. With the hemp based products, which is finer, it sticks to any poo and stops any mess.

 

All the best,

 

Tracy

[Abbey Road Girl]

Hello mummy hen,

 

 

The very fact that you asked the question qualifies you as a very good mummy hen!

 

Hi

 

I was bit upset by this part of your answer, I understand what you're saying but I checked on this forum and saw a lot of people saying they use hay in the nest box but not to use straw so I did, so I feel like I'm a bad mummy hen as I didn't ask the question but found the answer.

 

I'll probably end up using shredded paper as I don't want to use the same material that's in the run.

 

Thanks

 

Helen

 

Dear Helen,

 

Just came across your post--glad I didn't miss it entirely. Please, never think badly of yourself just because something didn't occur to you!!! Even Einstein couldn't be expected to know everything. Everyone here is on a big learning curve and everyone here tries to be supportive, not just informative.

 

People here have made innocent mistakes that have had tragic consequences for their hens but have found sympathy here rather than condemnation. I am very sorry that you were upset in any way, but thankful to have the chance to assure you that people here are not of the stone-throwing persuasion!

[*mummy_hen*]

Thanks all for your answers.

 

Great Tracy - that was definately on my list of questions to ask! Really looking forward to Saturday and can find out where you buy your bedding from as you are local.