Muck heap management

[Kacey88]

Hello!

I am currently doing some yard planning.

On my last yard, the muck heap was on a basic hardcore ground. We had three sections and would use the most rotted mainly for gardening or putting on rested land. I always assumed not having it on concrete was better for worms etc, but this isn't based on anything ?

What is the best way to manage a muck heap for a yard with 3/4 horses? Want to allocate enough space for everything. Thanks for any advice/pictures.

 

[PeterNatt]

We muck out directly in to a BigAb, which is on a concrete base and have the muck taken away.

 

[Kacey88]

Oh wow very handy set up. I don't think I'd be able to have someone collect it, but will look into it.

 

[Nasicus]

Always had our heaps in a sectioned off corner of the field, straight on the ground. Always full of worms, rotted down great. We had a few heaps we couldn't get taken away, left them and you wouldn't even know they were there after a year or two, apart from the abundance of grass growing there now

 

[ponynutz]

We muck out directly in to a BigAb, which is on a concrete base and have the muck taken away.

Been on many yards and this is my favourite way of it being done ^

I've seen it done as your basic against a wall and tractor comes in to collect every now and again as well and I've seen it done with it at the bottom of a field and then spread over said field when the horses aren't grazing on it.

 

[meleeka]

Always had our heaps in a sectioned off corner of the field, straight on the ground. Always full of worms, rotted down great. We had a few heaps we couldn't get taken away, left them and you wouldn't even know they were there after a year or two, apart from the abundance of grass growing there now

Same. It’s amazing how it shrinks over time. Mine is currently too big as I had it moved. By disturbing it, it’s slowed the rotting process.

 

[rextherobber]

I wait til it's 2 or 3 years old and then spread it on resting fields

 

[Highmileagecob]

Always had our heaps in a sectioned off corner of the field, straight on the ground. Always full of worms, rotted down great. We had a few heaps we couldn't get taken away, left them and you wouldn't even know they were there after a year or two, apart from the abundance of grass growing there now

This is how we do it too. Be very strict with your liveries about not tipping on the pathway, and insist it all gets stacked and levelled otherwise it can be a nightmare.

 

[Kacey88]

Thanks everyone, I was thinking straight on the ground was the way to go. I'll plan something in close to the shed (behind it!) so I'm not travelling too far.