[SusieB]

Does straw go off?  I am getting some new chickens.  I have some straw from last year, possibly a year old.  Is it ok to use, or would it be safer to buy fresh?  It's  been keep in a dry cellar.  I have discovered a major rat problem, loads of droppings, right where the straw is kept.  Is this another reason to get rid of the straw?

[Dawnuss]

I would rather be safe than sorry as straw can harbour mould spores that could cause respiratory problems to your new chooks. Also you might me better using some sort of shaving like hemcore / beddex but thats just my opinion. Also lots of people favour miscanthus ( think thats what its called) over straw as less problems. Good luck with the new chooks

[SusieB]

Thank you, I'm very excited about getting them!  I will get rid of the straw.  I also have a bag of Hemacore which could be a year old, does that have similar risk of mould, shall I dump that too?

[compostqueen]

I would buy new. You can use the old hemcore and straw for either composting, or for filling raised beds, or rubble sacks (which I use as raised beds)

You want fresh dry Hemcore, Easibed, Aubiose and fresh clean straw for your girls. The hemcore etc gets a light sprinkling of water from the watering can before introducing your girls. The instructions for use are on the bag so please have a good read    All the dirty bedding can go in the compost bin or raised beds. Because of all the poo in it, it will need to be left for a while as it's very powerful stuff and will scorch seedlings and young plants.  Leave it to compost for a bit and then it's really good stuff. 

[snow white]

Compostqueen

When you say "a bit", how long do you mean?  A year? or less?

 

[yaxley]

Easier to be safe than sorry and buy new and sort the major rat problem as they will infect your new bedding and not good if your going to have chickens ..

[SusieB]

Yes, good point.  I thought the rats had gone, but I have new droppings.  My cat is keen to go down the cellar, I think he must have seen them.  Don't know whether to let him, or whether he's at risk.  I think I need a 'cat' forum now!

[Prod]

I use chopped straw with eucalyptus  It keeps really fresh and has a great smell