Hi all, I have 135 Wilson cubicles with mattress beds , have used straw on them for years. thinking of other bedding options with straw being dearer and dearer year on year and the machinery required for straw bedding, what would be a good alternative bedding ? Thanks
cubicle bedding choice
- Thread starter farmer notsurewhattodo
- Start date
Where are you?
Sawdust is now eyewatering at around £170/t (or at least that was the last quote we had and I think I may still be suffering from falling to the floor) but envirobed does a good job although we have seen a few abrasions from using it which we didn't get with sawdust
Oat husks could be another material to consider
Don't know if NW Resources are still offering (or are allow to offer) recycled chipboard (poss problem with filter socks)
Sand is the dogs but wrecks bearings
buffalo_soldier
Member
- Location
- cumbria
Cubicle conditioner and sawdust.
Haulage must be a thing to the Rickster, paid somewhat less than his price for bagged.
Haulage must be a thing to the Rickster, paid somewhat less than his price for bagged.
- Location
- South Molton
You get fertiliser value with straw, unlike majority of alternatives
- Location
- North Yorkshire
We use a mix of sawdust and chopped straw now but we’re just on straw. Both good options. Sawdust is £££ now here and can only get it in small bags. So straw is the majority of what we use. Did try oat husks and quite frankly unless you like plenty of additional work then I wouldn’t bother. Cell counts went up, separator played up more than usual and the cows were dirtier than we’ve ever seen them.
Ben_Willcox
Member
Wishful Thinker
Member
- Location
- Northern Ireland
Anyone tried peat bedding? We are using a local supplier for a sawdust/lime mix but it’s got very coarse and starting to see abrasions. Cell count usually pretty good though so scared to change too much.
- Location
- Hampshire
We use a contractor with a tubgrinder to chop wheat straw. A lot better and cheaper than the dried paper we used to use, and it won't settle in your slurry tanks.
Tarw Coch
Member
- Location
- Bottom of Wats Dyke
How much does it cost to grind straw and how fine can they grind it?
frederick
Member
- Location
- south west
I'm worried about sands sustainability. Peat would take that to a whole different level.
ollie989898
Member
Get contractor to grind wheat straw up. Price of the straw becomes largely secondary as you use so little of it. There is no way I would use sand as it is so hard on machinery.
Joeblue
Member
Yes find peat excellent, cows dry and clean
And easy on cows!
Scholsey
Member
- Location
- Herefordshire
cant see any difference between cozibed and envirobed, worth trying a load if your unhappy with Envirobed.
Can’t be healthy for bovine or human lungs!
If you continue using it an electric loader may be required!
Yes it’s not healthy stuff. When you see that filter - which was like that after only 2 weeks use - you do have to question its use.
We have had the odd smouldering fire in the engine bay before ...
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