DIY Chaff

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htlmales

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Please take a few seconds to help.
I had a problem feeding my 18hh Warmblood, so had to purchase a chaff cutter. They either come
1 - New and shiny from India
or
2 - Very old and tired from farm sales, ebay etc.

Both supply routes have drawbacks
1 - H&S, import, VAT etc.
2 - Restoration and availability

After a lot of research and consideration I finally went for an old machine, restored and now My big chap is happy munching and putting on a bit of weight.

I would like to know what horse owners and feeders think about Food and DIY Chaff, please help

Many thanks
H and Angus
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[ QUOTE ]
but if i were in your situation then I would buy new!

[/ QUOTE ]
If I explain the logistics of a new machine...
Paying the minimum $300 for a machine from India that then has to pass CE approval (import of farm machinery) and has no chance (HSE nightmare - very good finger/arm remover)

So the alternative is you have to go to a machine around $550 then pay to have it approved, pay VAT when you import it etc, so you see im happy restoring old machines.
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As for hard work - to cut a big trug full of chaff say 3 or 4 flakes of a small bale takes no time and isnt as much hard work as skipping out a stable.

Old british machines properly restored work like sewing machiness.

Thanks for your view though
grin.gif
 
I've done the same as you.For those who say chaff doesn't cost much, I have 10 horses and the cost of Alfa a is prohibitive. We have a stationary engine driving a chaff cutter, and can cut enough in half an hour to feed all of them for two weeks.I put the chaff into a (clean!) cement mixer, add limestone, mollasses (sometimes) and organic crushed oats from our local farmer and hey presto, a complete feed. If I want more protein, I add lucerne meal as well. Works out much cheaper than complete mixes.
 
That sounds great, - I imagine a petrol parrafin 2 stroke stationary engine with a 4" flat belt and abject horror on the face of a health and safty inspectors face!
I have been looking for a litle cheap mixer or an old antique hand cranked mixer to restore.
My chap is on a high oil diet to bulk up so its chaff and oil and he cant get enough of it

well done you

any pictures please if you have any
Im trying to work out how to put some before and afters on here
ps do you still have all your fingers?
 
If anyone else wanted a restored machine I guess it would cost about £450 for a hand cranked machine, Im working on a conversion to electric at the moment.
I would be happy to email pictures of mine in action
wink.gif
just send a PM
 
I have an old chaff cutter (not working ---- yet) and my OH has a collection of around 20 stationary engines so powering it won't be a problem! I intend to make old fashioned DRY chaff but also have a cunning plan to make chopped straw bedding (I can't easily dispose of long straw and the price of shavings is painful at the mo')!
Bags of hi-fi (the closest I can get to the old-fashioned chaff I like) have hit the £9 mark so I'm positive I can diy it for far, far less!
 
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