Washingtonians

[Chickielady]

Quote:
I think that I will confirm at 6 bags, and no straw. The straw was not what I had been hoping for. The bales are standard size. I was hoping for compressed bales that are about half the size of a regular bale. I think I now have enough straw for years. I may just try the straw bale type raised bed this year.

Compressed straw is also much softer, and the birds like to nest in it, and it decomposes much much faster.
Regular wheat straw takes forever to decompose, I will never put it in my compost again.
I am using white shavings in all coops now, and compressed straw in the nest boxes...much nicer compost.

 

[SadieSue]

Quote:
I think that I will confirm at 6 bags, and no straw. The straw was not what I had been hoping for. The bales are standard size. I was hoping for compressed bales that are about half the size of a regular bale. I think I now have enough straw for years. I may just try the straw bale type raised bed this year.

Compressed straw is also much softer, and the birds like to nest in it, and it decomposes much much faster.
Regular wheat straw takes forever to decompose, I will never put it in my compost again.
I am using white shavings in all coops now, and compressed straw in the nest boxes...much nicer compost.

Great. Now I need some straw education. Where does one get compressed straw? Is that what we buy at a place like Del's Farm Supply? Comes in a rectangle shaped bale? So CL, what are the white shavings you're using in coops? With chickens and new gardening endeavors in the spring, it seems composting follows naturally so I need to know what's going to break down fastest/easiest.

 

[Chickielady]

Feed stores can carry it, if in doubt, call your feed store.
Dennis Company carries it too.
They are saw cut and heavilt strapped hunks of big bales and look like nothing, until you cut the bands !
The straw is run though rollers and flatenned, then compressed in a big long bale which is cut by saw.
They look like a quarter of a regular bale, but are super heavy as NO hollow straws remain

 

[jbear]

so sorry Rainwolf.. I just wanted to make sure you tripley knew what we wanted .. I guess!

I also believe there must be some internal thing on BYC going on with the PM's because CL is having trouble too. Maybe it ISN'T my computer! yay. hahaha

the baby ducks are CUTE~

what do you guys mean the straw isn't what you wanted? I am curious, but I have been using the regular ol' straw from Sumner Animal Grub.. goes in the goat pen, then on the ground in the chicken yard from there.. then into the garden, so it seems to break down pretty readily after all that. Is the straw from Patriot just 'regular ol' straw'? no biggie for me just wondering...

 

[justbugged]

Quote:
Compressed straw is also much softer, and the birds like to nest in it, and it decomposes much much faster.
Regular wheat straw takes forever to decompose, I will never put it in my compost again.
I am using white shavings in all coops now, and compressed straw in the nest boxes...much nicer compost.

Great. Now I need some straw education. Where does one get compressed straw? Is that what we buy at a place like Del's Farm Supply? Comes in a rectangle shaped bale? So CL, what are the white shavings you're using in coops? With chickens and new gardening endeavors in the spring, it seems composting follows naturally so I need to know what's going to break down fastest/easiest.

I had been buying the compressed bales at Del's, and it is about half the size of a regular bale. I think I was told that it compares to about 3/4 of a regular bale. It is a much softer straw. I think that it is true straw, as opposed to grain stalks that have been cut for straw. i like it also because it is much easier for me to manage a bale. I can lift the smaller size and it fits into a lawn leaf bag, that translates to less mess while it is storage.

 

[Illia]

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Illia, are you getting a new puppy? Did I miss this news?

Yes, we're getting a Boerboel Mastiff, imported straight from South Africa.

 

[pongoid]

I love MastiffS!

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Quote:

Good for you. Avoid RonB (

) he will try to talk ya into them old nasty white eggs.

For what it's worth (lots when I say it

) If you aren't looking for BIG eggs you may want to give a look at the RIR Bantams. They are very friendly, lay a nice size egg for a small bird and don't eat near as much as full size birds.

@ Renart....You may have noticed that CR (chicken rustler) is rather "anti-white eggs"...but he is a "good-egg". Welcome to this forum.

@CR: Hey....you going to sell me a couple of your RIR bantams? Sound fun.....although CL was saying something about babies this spring too. Unfortunately, you guys are all too far for me to come and get birds.

@Heather: Are you going to have some babies or young birds to sell this spring? All I want are a few good layers...nothin' fancy.

I am getting spring fever. The sun is out...it is warm...we went and burned a pile of willow tree blow-out branches. Makes me want to plant, even though there is still 3 inches of snow in my garden area. Oh, well, the sun feels good. We let the chickens out to free range today and Tyson (my roo) attacked DH twice. Well, Tyson, got his bell rung a bit and now is leaving DH alone....if Tyson keeps this up he will get a 1-way ticket to freezer camp.

Hope everyone is well, because of working so many hours I am having a hard time keeping up with it all. But I have been trying to read it today.

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

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There is an ever growing pile of rabbit smart pills here for you too, also not fun in an enclosed vechicle

I am dumping them in big plastic tubs to make it easier and cleaner for you to tote the smart pills home....but have to have them returned.
I also have to dispose of/sell 3 young rabbits about 3 months old...as the cage is needed for the next generation of 7 bunnies, so if you can pick up a few buns that would be nice...else in the freezer they will go.

I wish I could get DH to let me raise rabbits to eat...he is too much of a city boy. If he has petted it or fed it or loved on it or anyway looked into its big brown eyes - there is no eating it. This would include us ever raising chickens to butcher...never gonna happen.

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

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Oh, trust me...if Chloe were a few years older...she probably would not be helping you build a coop. You would get a lot of eye-rolling and heavy sighs and "whatever" or "K" comments. Oh, wait....that is my 17 yo DS and my 15 yo DS....maybe yours won't do it. Although the boys do a good job when there is something on the other end of it that they want.