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By the way, I forgot to add that cleaning it consists of taking my small rake and swooshing the straw around a bit to mix it up. How easy is that?!?
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By the way, I forgot to add that cleaning it consists of taking my small rake and swooshing the straw around a bit to mix it up. How easy is that?!?
That looks great--very similar to when I mow my lawn, spread the grass to dry, then bag it and use it as needed. I do this with both lawn clippings and leaves in the fall. Of course it's important to air dry everything thoroughly before bagging or you will get mold.
I like using products from my own lawn because they're free for a minimal amount of work. I would be mowing/raking leaves anyway so spreading them on a tarp for a day or two to dry is not much extra work.
I'm curious if you've considered using your own lawn products or if there is a reason you find the purchased chopped grass is better. Maybe you don't have a large enough lawn area to provide enough for bedding throughout the year?
My lawn is sparce since I have mostly woods and if I were to put a tarp out on the lawn for a few days, it would kill what little I have for grass. I like that this feed is heat treated and that mold spores are killed. It makes for less air quality worries as well as security in knowing there is less chance for mold to develop. But, honestly, this stuff stays so dry, I don't think I'll ever have to worry.That looks great--very similar to when I mow my lawn, spread the grass to dry, then bag it and use it as needed. I do this with both lawn clippings and leaves in the fall. Of course it's important to air dry everything thoroughly before bagging or you will get mold.
I like using products from my own lawn because they're free for a minimal amount of work. I would be mowing/raking leaves anyway so spreading them on a tarp for a day or two to dry is not much extra work.
I'm curious if you've considered using your own lawn products or if there is a reason you find the purchased chopped grass is better. Maybe you don't have a large enough lawn area to provide enough for bedding throughout the year?
It will stay nice and dry. If your girls scratch around a lot, the DE will make a cloud of dust until they have lost interest in scratching. Then it should settle down some. I think it will work great in your heat since it is heat treated. Less chance for mold to develop. I hope it works for you! Did you put it in a few inches deep?Yes, it was $!3.99. I bought two bales. I am putting DE below it. It sure is soft and it does smell nice. I hope it works and the DE keep the bugs at bay. Thank you so much for your experiment. I will let you know how it works in the South Georgia heat and humidity.
I have the bag on my mower so I don't have to rake the mown grass. When the mower bag is full I take it off, walk over to a tarp I have spread on the driveway, and dump it. I turn the grass with a rake once a day for two or three days till it's dry and then bag it in those tough, giant trash bags meant for use on construction sites. The bags have lasted for over a year so far without tearing.I'd like to try your idea, with the grass clippings. But raking up the grass around here would be another job to do.
It will stay nice and dry. If your girls scratch around a lot, the DE will make a cloud of dust until they have lost interest in scratching. Then it should settle down some. I think it will work great in your heat since it is heat treated. Less chance for mold to develop. I hope it works for you! Did you put it in a few inches deep?
I like that someone else is trying this. That way, everyone else will know how well it works in different coops and climates. Please pipe in with your comments and observations! I'm sure everyone is really curious about it!
How often would you replace the whole batch and start over? (Newbie here)