Making Pellets for Horse Bedding
Straw pellets can not only be used for biomass pellets fuel, but also can be used for animal bedding, straw pellets for animal bedding is the most comfortable to animals. Straw pellet used a bedding for animal is an efficient and eco-friendly comparing with existing other kind of common bedding which is already known and litter products for animal bedding. Less material is needed for equivalent absorbency, which saves you money, working time and storing place.
Straw pellets are naturally softer than wood pellets and will break down more easily so not much too big storage is required for soiled bedding. Straw pellet animal bedding is a pure, natural product without any additives. Straw pellet is an excellent absorbent material. The product is hygienic, as the temperature is +75 to +85 ° C in granulation process.
So straw pellet is recommended as bedding material for horses and also for other animals. Using a straw pellet litter is easier and faster to clean. The used pellets is easy to recycle and can be reused in different ways. Composted material decomposes rapidly and may be used, such as fertilizer, even in 2-3 months.
Which Kind of Straw Pellets is the Most Comfortable for Animals?
We have found that a Wheat and Oil Seed Rape straw blend has produced a pellet that not only absorbs really well but also stops the horses eating their beds while having minimum amounts of manure after we tried several different types of straw. It has also been noted that these pellets seem to bring a natural deodorant, masking smells otherwise associated with more traditional bedding.
What Advantages of Using Straw Pellets for Animal Bedding?
- Low dust and moisture content;
- Good absorption rate and drainage;
- Easy to transport and move around;
- Less work to muck out;
- Quicker breakdown when composted.
Straw pellet has many advantages over straw or other bedding materials. Scientists from the University of Gottingen have studied different bedding materials in several horse farms. The aim was to evaluate the different bedding materials, their properties and ease of use.
What is the Best Pellet Size for Animal Bedding?
For horse and cattle bedding, the ideal straw pellet diameter is usually 6mm or 8mm. Pellets of this size provide the best balance between quick moisture absorption and structural integrity. For smaller animals like poultry or rabbits, these pellets can be passed through a pellet crumbler to create a softer, finer texture.
How to Make Your Own Straw Pellet Bedding (And Save Money)
Buying commercial bedding can squeeze a farm’s profit margins. Many modern farm owners choose to turn their own agricultural waste (wheat straw, rape straw) into premium bedding. To do this, you only need two core pieces of equipment:
- Hammer Mill: To crush the long, tough straw into a fine powder (around 3-5mm).
- Ring Die Pellet Mill: Straw has a high fiber content and requires a heavy-duty ring die pellet machine to provide enough compression ratio to form tight, highly absorbent pellets without adding chemical binders.
