Why do my chickens eat timothy hay?

[GuppyLure]

Why do my bantams eat timothy hay like it were a treat? Is it normal for chickens to eat hay?

 

[MissJenny]

Beware -- make sure they are getting grit, though even with adequate grit your chicks can easily end up with an impacted crop. It's a slow, nasty, ugly way to die. Some chicks can safely eat hay their entire lives, while for others it is deadly the first time... by the time you figure out what's wrong it is too late.

I should add that I'm not typically an alarmist -- I don't really think a kid running with scissors will put an eye out, I don't like my truck doors when nothing is in it, or even when something is... but I'd sure be careful about a hen gorging herself on hay.

Jenny

 

[squeakyballs]

Quote:
Ack! Mine always have access to alfalfa! Is that as bad? They free range so I've never bothered with grit!

 

[sarjaysar]

completely agree about hay / long grass and impacted crop / even if free ranging and access to grit! Its basically a slow starvation, terrible way to die if you don't spot it and try and sort it. Usually resorting to surgery (twice on one of my silkies)

 

[ibpboo]

My chickens eat hay. Alfalfa, grass, wheat. They also free range a lot. They eat grass that is growing too.