How many bales of shavings?

[wabuska]

I may have to go to shavings as my straw is running out. I have 12X12 stables, on concrete and usually bed 3/4 of the box to the back, if you know what I mean. How many regular sized bales will I need to get started and then what to maintain. Just a rough idea would be great. I haven't ever done shavings. They are on offer at the local mill for 6Euro.

[bryony83]

I've got mine on paper but I do know that the manufacturers of shavings beds recommend 6 to set up then about 1 a week maintenance

[touchstone]

I,ve run out of straw too and am having to go onto shavings. I'm going to use the remaining straw to make banks in the stable, so it will hopefully reduce the amount I need to start off with, I'm hoping that four bales will do it!

[wabuska]

That's what I'm hoping to do Touchstone, it will also make the change over less time consuming. I notice the local livery yard doesn't bed right to the door, and as my lot are not prone to rolling etc., I'm doing the same. Blinkin expensive compared to straw, but rather looking forward to that nice smell!

[cookie]

I've never got away with less than 2 bales a week and thats on rubber matting... ;/ apart from when my boy was out over night (16hrs) instead of just daytime...

obviously setting up quantities is different with the mats (I used 3 bales) but not sure why weekly consumption would be?

[sandy]

My stable is 12 ft x 10 ft and I have 3 ft of rubber matting at the front and a shavings bed at the back. I put down about 4 - 5 bales to start and then I use one a week thereafter. I dont do banks and he is a messy little blighter!

[mollymoo]

It totally depends on what shaving you use as some bales are almost half the size of others.

If using standard big bales (ie: Hunters or Bedmax) they generally suggest using 5/6 bales to start for a nice big bed.

For smaller bale shavings you would need a few bales more.

I used to work at a feed merchants so any other info you need to know let me know