Hay for Chickens and Backyard Poultry: Is It Necessary and What Are the Benefits?
When most people think of hay, they picture bales destined for horses, cows, or goats—not chickens. But if you’re raising backyard poultry, you may be surprised to learn that hay can play a helpful role in creating a clean, comfortable, and engaging environment for your flock.
Whether you keep a small coop of laying hens or a larger backyard flock, knowing how and when to use hay for chickens can support their health and happiness year-round.
(High angle hen and hat with eggs.)
Do Chickens Really Need Hay?
Let’s clarify one thing: hay is not a dietary necessity for chickens the way it is for grazing animals. Chickens are omnivores and get their nutrients from a mix of grains, greens, insects, and commercial feed. That said, hay is incredibly useful for bedding, enrichment, and nesting.
While it’s not part of their diet, chickens will scratch, peck, and explore hay, which satisfies their natural behaviors. In fact, many poultry keepers use soft grass hay like Timothy or orchard grass to enhance coop hygiene, reduce odor, and stimulate flock activity.
The Benefits of Hay for Backyard Poultry
Here are some of the top reasons why using hay in your chicken coop or run can be a smart, sustainable choice:
1. Natural Nesting Material
Soft, pliable hay makes an ideal nesting material for hens. It helps cushion eggs, keeps the nest warm in winter, and is easy to clean out and replace. Plus, chickens love the scent and feel of fresh hay—it creates a cozy, inviting nesting box that encourages regular laying.
2. Enrichment & Boredom Buster
Chickens are curious creatures. When confined to a coop or enclosed run, they can become bored or even aggressive. Sprinkling hay in the run gives them something to scratch through and peck at. Hiding treats or grains in the hay mimics natural foraging behavior and keeps the flock engaged.
3. Insulation & Comfort
In colder months, hay acts as natural insulation, adding warmth to the coop floor and nesting boxes. It also provides a soft landing for birds coming down from roosts and a dry layer above coop flooring to soak up moisture.
4. Compost-Friendly & Affordable
Once it’s soiled, used hay can go straight into your compost pile. It breaks down naturally and adds nitrogen-rich chicken manure to your garden soil. It’s also an affordable, renewable bedding option—especially when bought in bales instead of synthetic shavings.
Best Hay Types for Chickens
If you’re shopping for hay, choose clean, mold-free varieties. Timothy hay and orchard grass hay are top picks because they’re soft, dust-free, and safe for chickens to interact with.
Avoid straw that’s too coarse or sharp, as it may irritate delicate skin around the feet or cloaca. Also, be cautious with alfalfa hay—while it’s protein-rich and chickens may nibble on it, too much can upset their digestive systems.
Final Thoughts
So, is hay necessary for backyard chickens? Not in their feed bowls—but definitely in their environment. From nesting boxes to enrichment, hay provides multiple benefits for backyard poultry, helping keep your flock healthier, more active, and more productive.
At Ohana Farms, we offer high-quality hay for poultry keepers, including soft grass hays ideal for nesting and coop bedding. Whether you’re raising heritage breeds or a small flock of egg layers, we’re here to support your chicken-keeping journey with clean, reliable hay you and your birds can trust.
