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Discussion on Manure in the winter??
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Member:
unity
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008 - 7:20 am:
I wasn't even sure how to word the subject line!!
First time horse owner (I have two), living where it is currently -10.
I leave for work in the dark and come home in the dark; there is no opportunity for me to clean up the manure before it freezes solid to the ground.
My horses are not confined; they have about 2-3 acres (fenced, of course), to roam freely. However, there is quite a lot of manure, especially around the round feeder.
How do other people deal with this in climates such as mine? I'm dreading spring, but there is no way I can clean it up right now.
Suggestions?? thanks!
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008 - 7:50 am:
Hi Mary I have the same problem. On the weekends I try to get up as much as possible. A spade shovel works well to get the frozen stuff up. what's left in the spring I harrow in. For around the bale feeder we use to just use a bob cat in the spring and haul away (spread} the manure, old hay in a nearby field.
Doing that will make a low spot usually, unless you have some rock based ground to put it on, or a very good skidsteer operator
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Member:
cheryl
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008 - 8:25 am:
Same problem here Mary. Our low temps are in the 0 area with about 16 inches of snow on the ground. This is the first place we've ever lived where I didn't manage to keep the manure picked up daily. Right now the snow is so deep I can't get the wheel barrow through it. My husband brings the tractor in every week or so and scoops up what he can with the bucket. Normally - when I can push the wheel barrow - I use an adz with a three inch blade to break the manure loose - It's weight is enough pressure to scrape all the manure loose - works great with very little effort on my part.
Cheryl
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Member:
unity
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008 - 11:37 pm:
Looks like I've got my work cut out for me this weekend. I think most of it will have to wait until spring....at least the stuff around the round pen.
At least it's supposed to warm-up; almost a heatwave, 25 above!!
Thanks,
Mary
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 23, 2008 - 6:43 am:
Fortunately while so cold parasites do not develop, but don't think the cold kills them. Just like all of us they are looking forward to the coming spring when they can hatch, partially mature, and infect your unsuspecting horses.
DrO
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