straw/shavings or wood pellet????? east devon area

I've not used wood pellet but it depends what you are after really. Straw is more work and I don't think it's that great at soaking up wee but it's cheap and shavings is more expensive but less maintenance. I use cut straw and find that it's not only soaks up really well but is the same maintenance as shavings (take out poo everyday and wee every few days). It's also dead cheap.
I am in south devon so can't help with supplier:)
 
I've tried all 3 at some point. Shavings are ok if your horse only comes in for the odd few hours and isnt in every night. Straw is hard work and i dont find it soaks up wee very well at all and my horses just didnt like wood pellets!! I'm a HUGE fan of miscanthus though! I soaks up much better than shavings, and is so so easy to muck out. I was taking out the muck and worst of the wet every morning and just added half - 1 bag each week to top up. Afraid I cant help with supplier though.
 
I'd go with whatever everyone else is on. I'm diy and all of us (about 10) get together and put in a big order for straw so it keeps costs down. But you do have to have enough storage. Farmer is very good and has corner of barn for us.

I'd also try to stick with whatever your horse is on unless it isn't working out right now.
 
I have used straw, shavings, wood pellets and chopped straw. Personally I couldn't go back to anything other than the pellets. The bed does have to be set up properly otherwise it won't work.
My stables are about 12ft x 20
To start I used about 20 ten kg bags (it is recommended on most sites to use 8 fifteen kg bags) I don't like thin beds and mine have banks on 3 sides. The bed covers half the stable. the first stable I emptied all the bags in the middle, spread them out and sprayed the hose over for ages.
Second stable I slit each bag and poured about quarter of a 10g bucket of water in each, then wandered off for 20 mins. This worked best.
I then emptied all the bags and made the bed. It was still crunchy but broke down the next morning. I keep it about 20% pellets.
Full muck out everyday, solid wee goes, slightly discoloured but fluffy round the edge wee stays and gets mixed in. I lob it all against the wall in a circular motion and all solids separate, nice clean stuff is left in a pile and nasty stuff goes all over the floor.
I only go to the muck heap once a day now when I used to go 4 times on shavings (2 big horses)
When I want to top the bed up (once/twice a month) I chuck it all against the wall and empty 2/3 bags on the floor in the middle, lightly sprinkle with the watering can, leave for a bit and then put the bed back over the top.

Liverpool wood pellets were the cheapest but I have just found a company called ecofuel who work out loads cheaper but I do live quite close to them.

Google local wood pellet fuel companies and ask for a quote for virgin pellets. Many of them will also let you collect a few bags at a time. £3 ish each.

I hope this helps and I haven't confused the issue. Any questions feel free to ask
 
if there's a cornwall farmers near you they do comfybed @ 5.99 per 25kg bale i believe. Great stuff and v economical.
 
Town & Country at Cannford near Whimple often have 'offers' on bedding. They're just off the old A30, just past Whimple. They'll also deliver if you buy a certain amount (used to be 10 items or more). http://www.townandcountrysupplies.co.uk/ PS: But their hay and straw are expensive, so better for buying bagged bedding and forage when you're looking for it.

Mole Avon in Axminster or Cullompton are reasonable for buying bedding and feed. http://www.moleavon.co.uk/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top