Musty straw bales

Fenland Girl · « **on:** November 23, 2007, 09:42 »

Have got my hands on some free straw bales but some of them smell distinctly musty, farmer said they had got wet. I'm not going to use them for bedding in the hen house, but will they be OK to pile up round the outside for insulation in the cold weather? Or will they be emitting nasty spores that will make my girls ill?

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #1 on:** November 23, 2007, 10:21 »

I'd use them for composting.

Bodger · « **Reply #2 on:** November 23, 2007, 10:41 »

I agree.
As long as the shed is draught and damp proof, your chickens feathers are all that they need to keep warm. If it snows, the snow will keep the shed warm.
The straw will get wet and smelly and more importantly will provide harbourage for vermin of both the furry and the creepy crawly kind.

Just remember ! Farmers never give anything useful away.

Fenland Girl · « **Reply #3 on:** November 23, 2007, 14:29 »

Thanks folks.

I just know I've read about straw bales for insulation somewhere but can't remember where. I think I'll probably use the really musty ones for mulching etc.

chickychick · « **Reply #4 on:** November 23, 2007, 14:45 »

I suppose if thier run is muddy like mine is you could throw it down to dry things up and protect their feet a bit. I seem to think I had read that on there before???

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #5 on:** November 23, 2007, 17:03 »

Quote from: "Fenland Girl"

Thanks folks. I just know I've read about straw bales for insulation somewhere but can't remember where. I think I'll probably use the really musty ones for mulching etc.

Hen keepers in very cold places like Canada will insulate their hen houses with straw bales stacked around the outside. It's so cold there that the bales don't get wet coz all the water's frozen

Fenland Girl · « **Reply #6 on:** November 23, 2007, 17:07 »

Quote from: "chickychick"

I suppose if thier run is muddy like mine is you could throw it down to dry things up and protect their feet a bit. I seem to think I had read that on there before???

Yep, that's what I've been doing. The straw seems to get trodden into the mud pretty quickly though so I'm going to invest in some wood chippings which will hopefully drain better. After the rain earlier this week I dried the hens' feet with a towel before I shut them in for the night!

babe · « **Reply #7 on:** November 23, 2007, 18:47 »

if it smells musty, it means its mouldy and not been stored properly.

it will be covered in mould spores, dont play with it and breathe it in, all you can do with it is compost it. the mould spores can get into animal rrespiritory systems and do some really bad damage, it can even kill horses.

not worth the risk, and its why its free, they just want rid of it. the farmer would know its not any good and really shouldnt have given it to you if he knew you wanted it for any animal. naughty farmer man :cry:

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #8 on:** November 23, 2007, 19:04 »

Farmer's lung - OOoooo Arrrrrrrr

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Musty straw bales

Bodger