Maine

[Mainechick168]

SO, where are all of you people getting shavings that are cheaper than hay?? I get a bale for between 3-5 dollars depending on where I go, and the bags of shavings are like....12 dollars? and they don't go as far as a hay bale. I must be missing something???

 

[ashandvine]

Bales of shavings for 5$ at TCS

Rant away... just be careful who is listening. Ever listen to or read Richard Wolff? Brilliant.

 

[Widget]

SO, where are all of you people getting shavings that are cheaper than hay?? I get a bale for between 3-5 dollars depending on where I go, and the bags of shavings are like....12 dollars? and they don't go as far as a hay bale. I must be missing something???

Down this way hay is about $6 a bale and shavings are around $5.

 

[Gallina Sarda]

SO, where are all of you people getting shavings that are cheaper than hay?? I get a bale for between 3-5 dollars depending on where I go, and the bags of shavings are like....12 dollars? and they don't go as far as a hay bale. I must be missing something???

Wow! I get my bale of shavings at Aubuchon Hardware in Brewer for $5. It's compressed so expands a bit when you open the bale and "set it free".

 

[annabananaandfamily]

I have to agree with everyone else on the prices for shavings. I go to either TSC, aubuchon or PFU in Bridgton (I love them there! Great people working there!) and pay 5-6 bucks each.

 

[annabananaandfamily]

OK, more questions for fellow mainers. I am looking into adding a couple of guineas to the flock. What do you guys think are the pros/cons? House with the chickens? ANy tips/tricks dos/donts etc?

 

[Mainechick168]

Down this way hay is about $6 a bale and shavings are around $5.

Ok, these 5 dollar bales of shavings....don't they cover much less than a bale of hay? I can cover the floor of my coop like....6 times with one bale of hay, and can barely do so with a bag of shavings... maybe I just don't get it?

 

[Widget]

Ok, these 5 dollar bales of shavings....don't they cover much less than a bale of hay? I can cover the floor of my coop like....6 times with one bale of hay, and can barely do so with a bag of shavings... maybe I just don't get it?

The bales I buy are 7.8 cu ft.. They are really compressed (3.25 cu. ft) and fluff up nicely once the bag is opened. One bale will cover the floor of the goats' shed with ease. And that is about 5x8 ft.

 

[ashandvine]

OK, more questions for fellow mainers. I am looking into adding a couple of guineas to the flock. What do you guys think are the pros/cons? House with the chickens? ANy tips/tricks dos/donts etc?

My best advice is don't get guineas. They are incredibly noisy and stupid. They feed everything-- worse than chickens, and they won't get out of the road, they are not pets at all like chickens.

My son would say he loves their honking squeaks and finds them funny and their different colors pretty (I do agree there) and they eat lots of bugs.

I would counter that my chickens do just fine in the bug picking department AND their eggs are big enough to eat without guilt.

He would say that the feathers on the guineas have a market and the birds, while small, are 'gourmet.' And he would then remind me again how they are funny and cute in an ugly way.




Mainechick- the shavings do a better job of absorbing smells and moisture. I find that a compressed bale covers most of the barn basement floor. I don't like the idea that the hay grows mold that can be bad for the chickens. Alfalfa hay bales to eat in the winter is one thing and mulch for the floor another. JMO

 

[Widget]

OK, more questions for fellow mainers. I am looking into adding a couple of guineas to the flock. What do you guys think are the pros/cons? House with the chickens? ANy tips/tricks dos/donts etc?

Pros: Great tick control.
Great alarm system.
Different looking which I find a plus

Cons: May harass the chickens.
Loud.
Can roost really high (When I had mine they hung out on the roof of my house)
Did I mention LOUD.