Straw is far less expensive than hay in our area, selling for under $4/square bale. Since hay is more nutritious but more expensive, we buy hay solely for the horses to eat. Since straw is cheaper, dried and therefore less likely to mold or attract moisture, we buy straw for the backyard chicken coop and nesting boxes.
Which is better for grass straw or hay?
Spreading a layer of straw over a newly seeded lawn will help the seeds to germinate properly while protecting the seeds from wind, heavy rains, and birds or other hungry visitors. Treating the hay before you spread it will eliminate most of the weed seeds so they don't end up sprouting in the middle of your new lawn.
Which is better straw or hay?
Straw Versus Hay Hay is harvested while it is still a live, healthy plant. Straw is the dead stalks of plants after the valuable parts of the plants have been harvested. Hay provides a good nutritional value for animals who are going to be eating it, while straw provides little nutrition.
Is straw better than hay for bedding?
They look similar, but while straw makes excellent bedding for outdoor cat shelters, hay becomes a soggy mess. Hay is typically used to feed animals, like horses. Straw, the dry leftover stalks from harvested crops, repels moisture, making it the best bedding for outdoor cat shelters.
What is the most expensive hay?
Dairy hay
Are straw bales expensive?
Affordable. When you build with straw bales, the cost is comparable to a stick built home. This can make it one of the more economical alternative construction approaches.
What straw is best for bedding?
Wheat Straw
Is straw good for bedding?
Bedding. Straw is normally used for a bedding material, while hay is used as a feed supplement. Straw is dried out and works well for building nests and providing cushioning for animals to sleep in. Straw is also more practical to use as bedding than hay is, because of its lower cost.
Which is better for compost straw or hay?
While it has fewer nutrients to offer, straw provides a lot of heat and neutral material to your compost bin. Unlike hay, straw isn't nitrogen heavy, so if you're compost pile is full of other nitrogen-rich materials like chicken manure and grass clippings, straw is better choice.
Is straw or hay better?
Hay is harvested while it is still a live, healthy plant. Straw is the dead stalks of plants after the valuable parts of the plants have been harvested. Hay provides a good nutritional value for animals who are going to be eating it, while straw provides little nutrition.
How long does straw bedding last?
If you're like me, you'll want to replace your straw fairly frequently, every week or so, certainly no longer than two weeks. Chickens absolutely love fresh bedding, so as far as they're concerned, the more you change it, the better.
How long does dry straw last?
How long do straw bales last outside? If you keep your bales out of the elements, especially moisture, they can last for years. However, if allowed to absorb moisture and heat, as would happen with a straw bale garden or planter, for example, hay bales will begin to break down and only last for one growing season.Apr 9, 2021
Are straw bales cheap?
The material is eco-friendly, fairly affordable, and reasonably easy to work with, making it an appealing approach to building a home. However, there are also pitfalls to using straw bales for construction.
What is better shavings or straw?
Straw bedding provides more warmth and comfort for the horse, especially in the winter months, but it falls short as far as an easy clean up is concerned. For situations like this, shavings tend to work better, as they are more absorbent and are much easier to quickly sift through and clean.
What is the price of hay?
Hay Quality Bale Type
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Grade 1 Large Square
Large Round $210
Grade 2 Large Square
Large Round $155
What is a straw good for?
Straw can make great mulch, defer water from newly planted seeds/young plants, or create cold frames, garden paths, bale gardens, or new garden beds. Setting the bale upward cut side out, allows the straw to decompose while your plants benefit from the nutrients derived from decomposition.Nov 9, 2020
What kind of shavings are bad for horses?
Black walnut shavings are a toxic bedding for horses. The innermost wood of the black walnut causes toxicity after oral or skin contact. Bedding containing as little as 20 percent fresh black walnut shavings made from old or new wood can cause toxicity.
How much does a pound of hay cost?
0722 or 7.2 cents per pound of hay.
What type of straw is best for grass?
Wheat, Barley, or Oat Straw: Yellow grain straw is the most popular choice. It's inexpensive, readily available, relatively free of seeds, and as your new lawn grows, it's pretty easily chopped up with the lawn mower. Don't use hay, as it contains too many seeds. Newly seeded lawn.
What is the price of hay today?
Hay Quality Bale Type
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Grade 1 Small Square
Large Square $85
Large Round $65
Grade 2 Large Square
Are straw bale homes expensive?
The cost of a straw bale house will vary depending on where you live. However, the average cost is $2,700 per square meter. The minimum cost for a similar size of a custom designed house is $2,800.
How long does straw stay good?
If you keep your bales out of the elements, especially moisture, they can last for years. However, if allowed to absorb moisture and heat, as would happen with a straw bale garden or planter, for example, hay bales will begin to break down and only last for one growing season.Apr 9, 2021
What is the differencebetween oat and wheat straw?
Wheat Straw Wheat is the best bedding straw. Oat Straw Oat straw is softer than wheat straw and so inclined to be more absorbent. It is expensive as it has feeding value to cattle and horses.