TIL using hay instead of straw in the coop can cause serious health issues

I swapped to hay last month because it was cheaper, and my hens started having breathing problems after 3 days. The mold spores in hay are way worse than straw, learned that the hard way - has anyone else dealt with this?

2 comments

2 Comments

rivera.keith22d ago

Used to think hay and straw were basically the same thing for coops, but this makes total sense now. Definitely sticking with straw after reading this.

the_kelly22d ago

Big difference but honestly is it life or death? I've used hay in a pinch when I ran out of straw and the chickens didn't seem to care at all. They scratched it up and laid eggs just fine. Straw is definitely cleaner and less moldy, I'll give you that. But people act like using hay once will kill the whole flock or something lol. Just keep it dry and change it out, it's not rocket science.