A lot of people think that chickens can’t eat hay. But the truth is, they can! They really enjoy it too.
There are a few things you should know about feeding your chickens hay though.
Chickens like to peck at their food and will often toss it about or leave it behind for others to enjoy, which means hay may end up on the ground where other animals could potentially get into trouble with it.
Hay also has an odor that some find unpleasant so if you have neighbors close by, they might not appreciate having your chicken’s dinner wafting over to them either!
So can chickens eat hay?
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Yes! Hay is nutritious and keeps chickens occupied. Hay is good. They will eat some of it and leave most of it alone.
The hay adds carbon to the Chicken poop and pee-rich environment, helping the chickens absorb most of their nitrogenous wastes instead of letting them loose where they can pollute water sources with nitrates.
In addition to hay, you can also give your chickens some other safe foods to eat like:
-Scraps from fruits such as overripe bananas or apples, which are high in fiber.
-Vegetable peels including potato skins and carrot tops.
-Leftover rice from Chinese takeout, plain pasta, or couscous are all good choices too.
-Bread, grains, and pasta
-Cooked rice or oatmeal
-Cereal pellets
-Sunflower seeds
-Cracked corn
–Apples, oranges, and other chopped fruits.
Feeding your chickens hay is a great way to keep them occupied and healthy. Hay is nutritious and helps keep its environment clean.
Chickens love to peck at hay, so it’s a great way to keep them busy. Be sure to only give them hay that is free of contaminants and pests though, or you could end up with some unwanted visitors.
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How do you feed chickens hay?
Chickens like to peck at their food and will often toss it about or leave it behind for others to enjoy, which means hay may end up on the ground where other animals could potentially get into trouble with it.
Feeding hay to chickens can be as easy as scattering it on the ground or putting it in a feeder.
You can also mix it with other food items like grains, fruits, and vegetables to make it more interesting for your chickens.
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Just be sure to not give them too much hay or they may end up with an upset stomach.
What is best for chickens straw or hay?
Well, chickens eat both straw and hay. They do not have a preference for either one, so offering them both is best!
Hay is good for chickens because it adds carbon to the Chicken poop and pee-rich environment which helps absorb most of their nitrogenous wastes instead of letting them loose where they can pollute water sources with nitrates.
Straw also has many benefits for your flock. Straw is an excellent nesting material that will keep your hens warm when they lay their eggs in the wintertime.
In addition to insulation, straw provides a place for broody hens to hide from other chickens while they’re sitting on their nests.
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It also makes a great litter in chicken coops because it absorbs droppings and moisture well, keeping the coop clean and dry.
Offering your chickens both hay and straw is a great way to keep them healthy and happy!
Chickens enjoy pecking at hay, so it’s a great way to keep them busy. Hay is also nutritious and helps keep its environment clean.
Straw is an excellent nesting material that will keep your hens warm in the wintertime.
In addition, straw makes a great litter in chicken coops because it absorbs droppings and moisture well, keeping the coop clean and dry.
So, what’s best for your chickens? Offer them both hay and straw! They’ll love it!
Should I put hay in my chicken coop?
Hay is nutritious and fun for your chickens to eat, so you might want to consider putting in a hay feeder for them.
The chicken coop should have a variety of materials that the hens can use to build nests with when they lay their eggs.
This nesting material will keep them warm in the wintertime and provide a place for broody hens to hide from other chickens while they’re sitting on their nests.
Final thought: can chickens eat hay?
Yes, chickens eat hay! Hay is nutritious and fun for your chickens to peck at. You can give them straw too, which they will love because it offers them insulation during the winter months and places to nest when they’re ready to lay their eggs.
Feeding hay to your hens will keep them happy and healthy!
If you need more information about what kind of food is good for chickens, check out our other writing on this site.
Have you ever fed your chickens hay?