Miscanthus (elephant grass) as bedding

Margaid

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Hi all,
Does any one have any experience of using miscanthus as bedding? I was looking at a bale today and wondering if it was any good for hens. I doesn't look soft enough to use in nest boxes but I'll probably get Chick Boxes with roll away floors anyway so won't need it for that.
 
Never seen it Margaid but just asking if has sharp edges, as some grasses do? Can see that feature causing foot damage.
 
I used it once it was OK had no problems but went back to the aubiose as I preferred this.
 
I used to use a lot of aubiose, then noticed I was coughing a lot, realised that this only happened when I was either cleaning out, or adding aubiose. I have changed now from aubiose and don't have a problem. Will have a look into miscanthus, would be interested to hear from anyone else's experiences.
 
I know my daughter uses it instead of straw for horse bedding as its much less dusty. Don't know if it would do for poultry but worth a trial bale maybe.
 
i don't know if it has sharp edges Chris as I couldn't really open a bale to look. Maybe Marigold could ask her daughter? I've been looking at shredded cardboard but can't get it at a reasonable price without buying enough fo about 12 months - and then I need space to store it. I have asthmas and hay fever so I want to avoid anything that creates dust when I'm cleaning out and putting down clean bedding. Thanks for all the replies so far.
 
Well I am going to contact them and see if they will let me trial a bale or two perhaps? I have read some interesting feedback, and the quality seem to depend on their harvesting and shredding system which gives the bedding its softness.
 
I have miscanthus in the garden and it is as tough as any plant foliage can be. Sharp edges but It does vary from variety . One I have is quite low and no problem. Foliage is tough and the grandchildren do not worry about it. Another is taller- has very tough foliage that can cut as you walk past and the end of the foliage is like a needle. This is the one that is by the path but is kept as it is a wonderfull plant but the kids don't go near it.
 

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