hemp bedding.

[itsme123]

I'm now at a loss as to what to do re bedding.

I need to get some bedding in because straw, I've found, sets off my asthma (shame because I get straw free

)

Anyway, I can't use shavings as whatever I use has to rot down as fast as straw (our muck is spread on the farm land).

My local merchants sell hemp bedding (and not much else), and I wondered what it was like and how many bags you need to set up an 8x9 stable (v small pony!)

 

[TGM]

I've used Hemcore in the past and really liked it as a bedding - absorbs nicely and rots down easily on the muckheap. Can't advise re: quantities though!

 

[brightmount]

I use Aubiose and I deep litter it, just poo picking every day. It's brilliant! I did take out the wet layer last week, but wouldn't plan on doing it more than 2-3 times over the winter season.

For an 8x9 stable, you probably wouldn't need any more than 6 bales to start off, but there's no harm in over-ordering and saving the left over bales to top up at a rate of one every 7-10 days.

The depth should be about 6 inches for it to work best.

 

[Jericho]

I have used shavings, straw and easibed on rubber matting but have found the best is Hemp (or Hemcore). Admittedly my little mare is only in a few hours a day but she always wees when in and after picking out the poo I basically left it to deep litter. However the chickens got in and had a good scratch round, digging up all the deep litter and to be honest the hemp seems to dry up really well and looks nearly as good as new!! Not sure how it would stand up to every night muck but I guess the moral of the chickens digging it up is that it dries well!
Oh and I think I used 2 or 3 bags for a 6 by 12 stable (very small pony also!!) I put down about half a bag every week when she was in over night
Have found that it doesnt smell and doesnt scatter about too badly or go soggy like shavings and rots down well. Definitely my choice of bedding so far based on what I have used before (espec straw and shavings)

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

If only a half bed, 2-3 bales. if a full bed, 5-6. It is fantastic and you wont go back!