13/08/2026
I was reading a story someone shared about their failed purchase of one of those paddock Poo vac machines and it reminded me of my ‘home cut chaff’ idea!
About 6 months ago I had this genius idea to make my own chaff. We already make our own hay, so I figured this was the logical next step.
After doing my research on reddit, off to Bunnings I went to buy a mulching machine. Feeling smug, about how much money I was looking to save, I headed home excitedly to set up my new enterprise in the hay shed. With about 6 large empty chaff bags ready to be filled and nervous glances from my husband, I began.
Instantly I realised the ‘chaff’ was going to be more ‘rustic’ looking than your standard fodder store variety. Not to worry, it’s good for horses to chew, right?
After about an hour, I managed to make around an eighth of one chaff bag, before my dreams were snatched from me. I had to stop, for risk of triggering a respiratory emergency. The machine was constantly clogging and I was covered in dust and hay and rethinking the price of a bag of chaff.
So as to save face, I told my husband I needed a little break, but as our eyes made contact, we both knew I was never going to use that mulching machine ever again.
To add insult to injury, I then had to break it to all of my eagerly awaiting customers (2 of my supportive agistors!), whom I had promised cheap ‘home cut chaff’, that it was a failure.
I now happily pay the prices at the fodder store and have purposely not done the calculations on how many bags of chaff I could have purchased in place of the mulching machine…..
I wouldn’t recommend 👎🏻
