I have a chance to obtain some muck from a local stables but the manure will be a mix of straw and shavings. Is the only drawback with using shavings that it takes much longer to rot down or are there other considerations? Thanks Lance ???
Apparently wood shavings are supposed to rob the soil of nitrogen but they will break down eventually. Considering the benefits of what else you have the chance of mixing in with it, then I would certainly use it.
:) Yes wood shavings do rob nitrogen, but easy to put this back. They are also good for improving clay soils.
The shavings do rot down and then do not rob nitrogen from the ground. If it good and wet (lots of urine) it will rot reasonably quickly (or you could add some of your own to speed things up.
So the only drawback is the extra time to rot
Phil