Where can I get large volume of FREE saw dust or wood chippings?

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jimbob79

673 posts

Ultimate Geek

#145342 15-May-2014 13:34

Where can I get large volumes of FREE saw dust or wood chippings?

I have chickens in a large area behind the man cave and I need lots of saw dust/chippings.

I've asked Mitre 10 Mega, but they say they have to have all the saw dust commercially removed because the saw dust contains poisons which is located within the treated timber.

Any suggestions? I'll even bring my own bags if need be.

KShips

153 posts

Master Geek

#1045554 15-May-2014 13:38

Try your local saw mills, they normally have piles of sawdust.

mattwnz

20157 posts

Uber Geek

#1045555 15-May-2014 13:58

Most produced will likely contain timber treatment chemicals, which if you use may end up in eggs etc. So you don't want to use that. You need to find a source of untreated sawdust. Try some timber mills, but make sure it is untreated.

knoydart

904 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1045602 15-May-2014 15:08

What about a local arborist?

gundar

488 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1045612 15-May-2014 15:30

Hookers Sawmill in Hamilton offer free sawdust and offcuts, although I suggest you call them first - there are usually a few trailers around collecting up when I go there. They are behind the Base. They also only seem to have Macrocarpa which does not normally require treatment, so the sawdust composts out eventually to nothing and is safe.

I have bought timber form there many times, no problems. I have used offcuts for fires, no problems and the sawdust has been used in raised beds and compost bins for years, no problems.

Mitre10 is right, if the wood is treated or if you are unsure, don't use it near animals or edible gardens. If you work with wood a lot, you get a good idea from the smell of the cut and the colour of the grain if things are treated or not, but I'm never sure enough to want to expose it to my food. Only a sawmill will know for sure as they are getting the raw product to work with.

jimbob79

673 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1045664 15-May-2014 16:47

Should of said I'm looking in the Lower Hutt Wellington area.

solaybro

628 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1045667 15-May-2014 16:54

jimbob79: Should of said I'm looking in the Lower Hutt Wellington area.

I did some searching and found Firewood direct sell it, they are in Upper Hutt.

jimbob79

673 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1045671 15-May-2014 17:00

solaybro:
jimbob79: Should of said I'm looking in the Lower Hutt Wellington area.

I did some searching and found Firewood direct sell it, they are in Upper Hutt.

That looks promising. I'll have to find out how much it cost. I was hoping for free source.

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JayADee

2148 posts

Uber Geek

#1045980 16-May-2014 06:36

We use hay.

SepticSceptic

2190 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1050953 22-May-2014 11:31

Hay, or straw. ?