Where could I get cheap straw?

whatatwit

When I had a horse, I used to buy bales of shavings, from my feed merchant.
Have a look in yellow pages for an animal feed supplier, or ask a local horserider.

Sue-UU

pinginal wrote: »

I've kept hens for a few years now and have used straw all the while, without any experience of mites. I've also used paper shreddings which are free! Shavings do sound interesting though, do you use them in the nesting boxes too? Is google the best way to find a sawmill? You're welcome to some of my eggs, Helen, I'm being overrun by them at the moment!

Hi pinginal, I honestly wouldn't use anything but shavings, they're cheap too, so all in all you can't lose. Yes, we do use them in the nest boxes and they're ideal. To find a sawmill close to you I'd google with something like eg. 'sawmill/s in Preston area' then see what that brings up, if nothing then try eg. 'sawmill in Lancashire'. That's only off the top of my head as I live hundreds of miles from there, but no doubt you know what I mean. The red mite were a problem for us in the heat of the 2004 summer, in July and it was terrible. We have our chicken in a wooden shed (for warmth we thought!:rolleyes:) and it's in the slats of the roof that the mite got, then they endeavor to lay their eggs on the chicken!!!!!:eek: We didn't use the eggs for ages and dusted the poor chicken off with powder as well to be certain of nothing being left. The powder was THAT good that we've never had a problem since.....and ALL chicken are still going very strong! If any one does wish to prevent rather than the 'orrible alternative:eek: then the powder can be bought from 'Mole Valley Farmers' or Countrywide stores.

Good luck to all and enjoy the chickens we all love.

Sue.

cjb02

Good places to get straw or shavings from are either farms (straw or shavings) or equestrian feed places which again should sell straw and shavings.

Much cheaper than the pet shops :T