Wheat bags ...

So, I feel that this is a bit of a DOH question, but I need to ask

I am making up some wheat bags for kidlettes. Elsewhere, I've seen instructions to use 'clean' wheat. Do you really??? I mean, I have a bin full of wheat I use for the chickens' scratch - can I just use that? It's not THAT dusty.

Otherwise, can I 'clean' the wheat myself? How?

TIA!

Hi Prim,

you can wash and dry wheat if you really want to.

Or - in a strong northwest wind, pour the wheat from one bucket into another so that the dust and things are blown away.

Alternatively - just use as is. I've used chook wheat for wheat bags - why not.

I have also used the feed wheat, give it a good shake to separate the chaff and and dust and scoop that layer off.

Hi Prim
Before I had chickens and access to wheat I have also used rice but I don't think it retains it heat as well as wheat. A handful of dried lavender goes nice too...adds a bit of 'perfume'. As I wrote that I wonder if any other aromatic herb could be used?
Cheers!
Di from Kai

Thank you all ... I didn't know if I ought to wash it (whether it would dry without going mouldy first!). I might try it as it is and see how dusty it is ... what the heck?! Then I'll do the howling NE thing.

Di, I have some dried lavender to pop in too Thanks!

I've made rice bags (when we were rearing a duckling and then orphan rabbits) -seemed to work as well as a wheat bag.

A bit late for this maybe but how about wetting a towel and wringing it out, then spread the wheat over the towel and with one end of the towel... or another wet towel, rub over the wheat? This would get rid of the dust and stuff (the finer powdery stuff) without making the wheat really wet.
I just had visions of it sprouting in the bag.

If you use the wind to get rid of the bigger rubbish, then the towel, it should come up pretty clean... or one would like to think it would.

I made two when I first got the turtles and had to get down to Chch with them. No LSB so I bought the wheat from the supermarket .... or was it a healthfood place? Can't remember. We still have them and right now, I'm thinking I might just get the goats done and heat one up for my back and park for a while.... Hmmmm...... dreams are free ..... until the government comes up with a way to tax them too.

Yakut

They are commonly used for treating aches and pains throughout your body. Not only are they used at home, but they are also used in hospitals. Even professional athlete’s use wheat bags to treat sports related injuries. Here is a quick list of common uses:

1. Use it to relieve neck and shoulder tension. A warm bag can help blood flow to that area and loosen up your muscles.

2. If your feet are cold you can use a warm wheat bags to help heat them up. After they are heated, many wheat bags will retain heat for up to 30 minutes.

3. If you have ever needed a cold pack to cover your eyes or cool a fever, you can do the exact same thing with a wheat bag. Put it in the freezer for a couple of hours and apply. If the wheat bag is too cold when it comes out of the freezer you can wrap it in bed sheet to help take the chill off.

4. Almost everyone experiences back pain in their life. The benefit of using a wheat bags for back pain is that they are so versatile. If you make your own you can make it as big or as small as you like. But keep in mind that it will need to fit in your microwave if you plan on heating it.

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wheat bags

i have made many..i have used many
I like the unwashed wheat..
never had a fire from the microwave
I usually heat a med -large size one on high in the microwave for 3-4 min

I don't think you will have any issue at all.
I have my own wee business and I purchase my wheat from Bin Inn and that is quite dusty. I just pop it in the sieve and shake off as much dust as I can