mucking out tools for flax bedding

[Landcruiser]

I have just started using Flaxcore bedding and wondered what people use as mucking out tools. I have only used straw (fork and shovel) and shavings (shavings fork and shovel) previously. I thought I could use the shavings fork, but the flaxcore is too fluffy and sticks together, so it won't shake through like shavings, so you waste a lot. Currently using poo picker for spread out poos, 6 prong fork for nice big piles of poo which are holding together. Neither are perfect for the job.

Only 1 night in on Flaxcore yet, and I'm planning to have a big clear out every few days and skip out between times. Any tips? Marrigolds perhaps??

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

For hemp which I would think is similar, I use fork for the big lumps and then marigolds and bucket for the little bits. Very quick.

 

[galaxy]

I use a shavings fork. Have been using it since October. I had issues shaking it out at first too, but I just got the hang of it and now muck it put like a normal shavings bed (although it is soooo much better and cheaper than shavings!!)

 

[galaxy]

I muck out every day. But my girl is incredibly wet which is why I tried it. Not one stable stain all winter and used to have them every night on shavings no matter how deep the bed!

 

[whizzer]

I used to use hemcore & hand picked with rubber gloves then did general tidying with shavings fork.

 

[Landcruiser]

Thanks everyone. I'll have a go with rubber gloves tomorrow. It seems like really good stuff - one of mine is very wet too, and this morning his stable looked really good. On straw he was awful

 

[rosie_equine]

I use Flaxcore too, its an excellent bedding very similar to hemp but much lower cost..
Equine speedskip works really well for the big 'piles'!! http://www.equinespeedskip.com/
I then use gloves for the loose bits and a straw fork to turn the banks each day.

 

[Landcruiser]

I might have to treat myself to a speedskip I think. A week in, and I'm slightly frustrated by how much I'm wasting unless I hand pick. A normal poo picker just isn't quite the right tool.

 

[CrazyMare]

Aubiose fork, or Future Forks I think they are called now.

Excellent, and I use them for everything.

 

[fatpiggy]

I used aubiose and mucked out with a specialist aubiose fork (google Future forks). They cost over £30 but are incredibly light, strong and well engineered so they last for years (I only had two in 18 years, and it would have been one if my so-called friend hadn't gone digging frozen poos in the field with it and broken two tines and the head off, then refused to pay for it because it was wear and tear!) You pick up the poos, give them a good shake and bounce to get the loose stuff off and if you are going for the wet patch, rake the clean off until you can see the edges of the wet and then just dig it up because it won't be very thick. Or use a spade for this bit. I only used half a bale a week and my horse like to wee for England.