Anyone tried "healthi- straw" bedding?

[constructoman]

Tried it. It does not absorb liquids.

[Robbie]

I should be getting a couple of bags soon, we'll see how it works for chickens. Thankfully no urine to mop up!
The perfect bedding might be a mix of two products, we'll see.

[SandyM]

I'm going to Hagersville on Friday. I'm going to drop in, see what the pricing is, see what I can find out. I shall report back.

[SandyM]

QR_BBPOST I've asked some questions, waiting for replies- I'll keep you posted.

Anything?

[Robbie]

Still in the works.

[bodabing]

I have been using bagged chopped straw. I like it. Goes a lot further in bedding than shavings. It is not dusty like wood shavings are. If pens are dry I really like peat moss the best though.

[SandyM]

Peat moss?

[Robbie]

I got a delivery of two bales of Healthi Straw today- Thank you Dayna from Specialty Equine Feed in Hagersville. I sent her an email asking a few questions, and here they are, delivered, all the way up here, and on the other side of Toronto !
I haven't even paid for them yet- The way doing business ought to be!!! - it was $6.50 per bale, no delivery charge tax was included so pretty well better than free (!!!!!)

The bales are bigger than the McFeeters shavings, but lighter. The straw is compressed, there's a lot in the bag. The straw is chopped very fine and it's true it's virtually dust free. I put some on the boards as well and tomorrow we'll see how well it scoops. The straw is much lighter than the McFeeter's shavings so this should help with the 'ole carpal tunnel syndrome, scooping the !
It smells like straw, nice and fresh, reminds me of having horses. I have some photos, will download tomorrow.

Healthi Straw:
http://healthistraw.com/

How to contact Dayna:
Dayna Hale 9058066114
equinefeed@icloud.com

[Robbie]

Quick report back- the separated out nicely from the healthi straw. I use a horse manure fork with 1/2" hardware cloth zip tied onto it.
Should compost more quickly than shavings.
The only down side so far- minor stuff- it sticks to fleece and socks (itchy ) and it's light enough so that the hens easily scratch it into their water bucket.

[Jaye]

Just wondering what you think of the Healthi-Straw, now that you've been using it for a little while?
Nice that it's virtually dust-free. As for it sticking to fleece and socks, I find that flax bedding and wood shavings do too, so that wouldn't be a reason for me to give it a pass.
The price is better than flax bedding, for sure, and also more cost-effective than the McFeeters QuickPick bedding - the yellow bag at TSC sells for $6.99 here unless you do bulk buy of 10 or more bags @ $6.50 each, which isn't feasible for me.
How far does a bag of Healthi-Straw go, and does it last awhile before it's time to replace?
Do you have any pics of the stuff? I'd be interested to see what it looks like fresh, and after a bit of use.
How did it work on your "poop" boards, out of curiosity?