Liverpool Wood Pellets-Advice Please

[Amy_08]

I switched to LWP a week ago, as had enough of the extortionate price of shavings. When I laid the bed my YM said to sprinkle a watering can full of water over the bed and leave it. Most of the bed is still in pellet form one week on, however the pellets that have broken down are now incredibly dusty. This morning my horses rug had a layer of dust covering it and she was very snotty. I asked one of the other girls on LWP whether I should put more water on it, but she said no, just wait for it to all break down. So what should I do? Is anyone else's dusty? Am I doing something wrong? All I have done all week is pick out the droppings and level it off.

 

[LizzieJ]

I only know one person who uses wood pellets but they use half a bucket of water per bag of pellets

 

[dwi]

Are you deep littering? Most people leave the wet in the bed to be absorbed by the pellets that are still whole and break them down. I then take out wet patches when they appear at the surface of the bed and take the poo off the top daily. My bedding is very fine once broken down but I wouldn't describe it as dusty and D who has had respiratory problems in the pst certainly isn't snotty on it.

 

[Amy_08]

Right so it sounds like I should use more water. Yes I am deep littering it.

 

[horseywelsh]

ours isn't dusty at all. PM me if you want more info, just got to dash off out now

 

[elizabeth1]

I find the best way is to put the bags one by one in the wheelbarrow,slit them and hose in about half a bucket of water.wheel them to your stable-within an hour or so they will have burst out of the bags.Spread them out.Once the initial bed is down,remove droppings and any really sodden bedding daily and rake the rest over.Add new bedding as necessary and mix in-you shouldn'thave to water any new bags.I certainlyhavent had dust problems!

 

[Amy_08]

It sounds as if I didn't put anywhere near enough water in at the beginning. I am going to add some more water to them.

 

[StaceyTanglewood]

I dont think you put enough water in - I also throw my beds up everyday to mix the pellets in with the rest of the bedding which i find helps x

 

[Bugly]

Mine bed was dusty when I first started using LWP in November.....I have now got into the routine of leaving the wet in and removing once a week and every day I sprinkle a bit of pine disinfectant round over the top. I also put shavings on top for my boy with breathing problems.

We are 3months down the line now and there is hardly any dust: deffo you need more water and leave the pee in!

 

[Ottinmeg]

i just slit the bag open at the top and fill it right up with water and leave it for 10 minutes or so then open the bag and spread the pellets. turn them over a few times with a fork and most of them will breakdown. i do a full muckout daily which takes all of 10 minutes as i find it much easier and the bed stays white instead of going orange then brown. You do need more water than you think you will to get started though.

 

[Amy_08]

I've added more water, and will keep doing so daily until it calms down. Thanks for the advice.