Gem_Seb Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 is it ok to use normal hay for rabbits etc in the chickens house? i know straw isnt ideal but not heard much about hay!! just looking for things to keep my girls warm as its getting colder here and my silkie didnt feel very warm at all when i went out to them last night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 No, hay is not good, it harbours nasty spores, the PCGB advise against it Straw is ok, it can hide mites and also can be eaten by the chooks but all of mine have t in their coops at the moment with no problems, just be vigilent and fluff it up to stop it getting flat and damp Its great if you put a layer of aubiose down first too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 can I ask what auboise is please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gem_Seb Posted January 9, 2010 Author Share Posted January 9, 2010 hmm ok i wsill have to see if OH can stop somewhere on his way home from work as i have hay for the rabbits im looking after for next door at the moment but no straw!! what about newspaper? i have loads of that!! auboise, would i get this from horse places?! ive never seen it anywhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 If its just a matter of keepng them warm for tonight then hay would be ok Plum has been using scrunched up newspaper in her cube to keep her chooks warm Pets at Home/Jolleys or whatever its called in Longwell green sells straw in smallish packs Not sure if Jennys tack shop might sell Aubiose or not... thats on the main road where you turn for Homebase etc.. Aubiose is flax bedding for horses, its brilliant stuff but only comes in big bales Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gem_Seb Posted January 9, 2010 Author Share Posted January 9, 2010 I havent got the car (OH has it at work!)and pets at home is a 20 min drive from where i live!! Jennys tack shop has moved up to Cadbury Heath now! i will have to try and make it there tomorrow providing we dont get any more snow!! we can jst about get off our drive at the moment without any more snow! lol ill see if OH can get some straw in morrisons on his way home as pets at home will be closed by the time he is back in bristol! I might just use newspaper and a bit of hay tonight and take it out first thing in the morning... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Have PMed you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gem_Seb Posted January 9, 2010 Author Share Posted January 9, 2010 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Hi Gemseb. Just for info we use shredded paper here. I can't find aubiose locally and the little madams turned their noses up when we tried out easibed. Shredded paper works fine and composts down quite easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna_0 Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Hiya I've just stated to use 'safe bed' which looks like shredded white jay cloth..seems to be doing the job! Donna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samuel Morse Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Not sure if all stores sell auboise, but you should be able to get it from Countrywide. See the store locator link:http://www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk/pws/Content.ice?page=RetailHome&pgForward=businesshome EDIT: Sorry, Chucky1, I don't think that is going to help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gem_Seb Posted January 10, 2010 Author Share Posted January 10, 2010 Great, there is a store about 40 mins away in Melksham which is pretty much accessed via main roads! so providing we dont get the snow forecast tonight thats where we will be going tomorrow!! i have put a little hay in and newspaper to fill the gaps around them for tonight along with a hot water bottle and my silkie now feels much warmer! will take the hay out in the morning when i let them out and hopefully get some auboise tomorrow!! Thanks for all the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneyolktoanother Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 i have put straw down for ours as its so cold, as i cant see it being a probelm with mites at the minute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 auboius is softer than easy bed, if they are sleepig in it, it might be why they turned their beaks up at it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
