Find the info you need Straw—Not Hay—for Outdoor Cat Shelters An outdoor cat house filled with straw—not hay—will keep your feline friends warm and cozy during the winter. The difference between straw and hay may seem mundane, but it can actually make a world of difference for cats. They look similar, but while straw makes excellent bedding for outdoor cat shelters, hay becomes a soggy mess. Hay is typically used to feed animals, like horses. It soaks up moisture, making it cold and uncomfortable for cats—and has the potential to get moldy. And in the winter, a wet bed can even be dangerous, making cats more likely to get sick. Straw, the dry leftover stalks from harvested crops, repels moisture, making it the best bedding for outdoor cat shelters. Loosely pack the straw in the shelter to the quarter or halfway point. The easiest way to tell the difference between straw and hay is the price: hay generally costs two or three times more than straw. Straw is tough, thick, lightweight, and yellow or golden.

Hay is usually heavy and green, but there are varieties, so if you aren’t sure—ask the clerk! Straw’s not too hard to come by. Farm, livestock, or agricultural supply stores/catalogs Farmers (ask your neighbors!) Ask your vet about local suppliers Caregivers’ tip: Straw usually comes in bales but you only need a fraction of that to line a cat house. Just be sure you keep enough straw to freshen the shelter when the seasons change, keeping it clean and smelling good for the cats. Consider sharing a bale with other caregivers. Straw can last decades when stored properly—in a dry place and off the ground, such as a wood pallet. Check out our feral cat shelter gallery and where to buy them Read our winter weather tips. Please rate this Rating Not helpful Standlee Hay Company Wheat or Barley Chopped Straw for Animal BeddingDetailsPrecision Pet Excelsior Nesting Pads FREE Shipping on orders over $49. DetailsHarris Farms Plastic Poultry Drinker, 5 Quart FREE Shipping on orders over $49.

26 x 9.5 x 17 inches 28.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) #15,726 in Home and Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home and Kitchen) #43 in Pet Supplies > Small Animals > Houses & Habitats > Bedding & Litter #185 in Pet Supplies > Small Animals > Food This was a very small bag, cheaper at the pet store! Huge ginormous bag for the chickensMother Daughter Weight Loss Spa Just what I needed for my small chicken coop.How To Fix Bathtub Push Drain Stopper Perfect, generous size bag! Car Repair Body FillerThe chickens and ducks love it and I love that I didn't have to haul it from the farm supply store! This is a LOT of straw! Much softer than other straw I've bought for feral cat beds. The product is very fresh and the chickens love to scratch in it!!

perfect for the goslings. Will definitely get this again next year. Very hard to find.Update, 2/23: Straw will also be distributed this weekend on Saturday, February 28 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. and Sunday, March 1 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. The Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia (ACCT Philly) is offering free straw bedding to Philadelphia residents who are caring for animals that spend part or all of their time outdoors. This marks the first winter that Philadelphia’s extreme weather ordinance is in effect and ACCT Philly is aiming to help animal caretakers comply with the requirements of the law. “We would rather see dogs safe and warm than give out tickets for violations,” said Susan Cosby-Jennings, executive director of ACCT Philly. “This will make it easy for caregivers to be in compliance with the law.” Straw is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis at ACCT Philly, located at 111 W Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19140. Philadelphia residents can pick-up straw on Saturday, February 21st from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. and supply permitting, Sunday, February 22nd from 4 p.m – 6 p.m. Straw is available to Philadelphia residents caring for an outdoor animal, whether it be their own dog or neighborhood cats.

While owners have always been encouraged to keep animals indoors during winter months, the passing of a new law by City Council means this is the first winter dog owners can be penalized for neglecting to provide proper shelter. Penalties include fines up to $500. “During a Code Blue, our dispatchers receive about 20 calls a day reporting dogs outside without proper shelter,” said Tara Scherneke, Assistant Director of Operations, Field Services. “Our officers have been very busy; it’s good to know that Philadelphia is full of animal lovers who want to help.” If you need help keeping animals warm this winter, please click here for shelter requirements. To report a dog outside without proper shelter during a city issued Code Grey or Code Blue, please use the online form found here or call ACCT Philly at 267-385-3800. If successful, ACCT Philly hopes to make more straw available while the cold weather continues. To support the bedding project and other lifesaving ACCT Philly programs for pets, donate online now or call 267-385-3800 ext. 136.

Mallard Creek Classic Shavings 7.5 cubic feet per bale Cozy Den Cedar Shavings Rice Straw (60 lbs. on average) Wheat Straw (60 lbs. on average) All Chicken CarePlanning for your flock Can I use chicken manure in my garden? How much feed should I give my chickens each day? I'm trying to figure the expenses of keeping chickens, so can you tell me how much I will spend per month on feed? Is it okay to heat my coop in the winter? I don't want my flock to suffer! It's time to move my 5 week-old chicks to their outdoor coop, but it's cold outside! Will they be okay? Due to the number of predators in my area I cannot/will not allow free ranging. The problem is that a large amount of droppings accumulate on the hard clay dirt of the run. I try to rake this out, but the moist droppings do not rake up too well. Any suggestions on how to maintain a clean run in these conditions? How do I keep my small, enclosed run from becoming muddy? press + mediaabout + contact

Within minutes, some of the chickens had come in to see what I was doing and began scratching in the shavings, as chickens are prone to do. To treat my ailing hens I used saline solution, VetRX and Nutri-Drench, all of which I had on hand in my Chicken First Aid Kit. I squirted saline solution in each eye several times a day, then dabbed some VetRX onto each nostril. is an all natural remedy for respiratory problems in poultry. I also gave each an eyedropper full of to help boost their immune systems, improve their response to the VetRX, help their appetites and keep them well-nourished.  Fortunately this was easy to treat and all three are back to breathing normally now. shavings, Also, only use pine shavings, NEVER cedar. We are sticking with straw.  The advantages of straw, at least to me, are clear: If you enjoy my blog, why not join me on Facebook at Fresh Eggs Daily and Ducks Too  so you don't miss a single thing all week? Follow me on Twitter |