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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To make bricks from horse shit to give away?

55 replies

ShitABrick22 · 30/08/2022 22:59

I appreciate this is very random.

But I have been reading about how to make fire bricks from horse shit, apparently they burn very well (and no they don’t smell). I happen to have access to an awful lot of horse shit.

So I was wondering about giving making the bricks a go, and advertise them locally as free fuel to people who need to keep warm. Apparently the price of firewood is going to go through the roof this winter.

The first problem I foresee is that the poorest of people are unlikely to have open fires or wood burners. I say this as the only people I know who do have fires in their houses are generally very well off. I live in social housing and nobody who lives in social housing has an open fire, that’s for sure!

Secondly, would people just think ‘what a bloody weirdo’ and rather sit in the cold than accept my offer of shit bricks?

I wouldn’t have the time to make thousands of them, but if I could just keep a couple of people/families warm over the winter then it’s got to be worth it?

Before I get elbow deep in a vat of horse shit (curse you, neoliberalism), is this a really bonkers idea? Should I go for it or leave the shite in the muck trailer where it belongs?

OP posts:

Axahooxa · 30/08/2022 23:04

Roll up those sleeves!

Reinga · 30/08/2022 23:11

I think you're spot on about very few fires being in the homes of people who will be worst affected by the rising fuel costs.

Maybe you could ask for a small donation to your local food bank/WA, etc so the benefit would be going where you intended?

I think it's a great idea.

FrecklesMalone · 30/08/2022 23:13

Aren't they horrifically bad for the environment? Which will in the not so long run end up harming far more poor people? It's an absolutely lovely thought just check you aren't doing more harm than good

Wallywobbles · 30/08/2022 23:17

I'd think if you bag it up you could sell it for fertilizer as there's about to be a massive shortage of that.

I'm assuming that you have feed bags too.

lisavanderpumpscloset · 30/08/2022 23:20

No idea whether it's bad for the environment but this is regular practice in villages in India where cow shit is available in abundance

OrigamiOwls · 30/08/2022 23:23

I think it's a good idea. I do have a wood burning stove and would happily use something like this. As a previous poster has suggested maybe ask for food Bank donations or similar if you think people who would use these could afford it?

AceSpades54321 · 30/08/2022 23:23

More people will want manure for their gardens than for burning.

CrapBucket · 31/08/2022 00:19

Do you live on a road that plenty of people pass and can stop at? I think selling manure with all proceeds going to the food bank is a great idea. Helps the people you most want to and less effort than making bricks. In fact you could do bags of manure and also sell Shit Brick Kits for twice the price 😉 I.e. a bag of manure and a printed sheet of instructions.

ChuggaChuggaTooToo · 31/08/2022 00:44

You are quite right that the people who have open fire places are not poor.
Sell the dung bricks to wealthy folk at a premium price explaining the good cause, and give all the money towards people living in fuel poverty who certainly can't afford to run an open fireplace. Just the cost of maintaining a safe chimney makes it totally unaffordable for anyone who isn't well-off.

DdraigGoch · 31/08/2022 00:48

There's also a fertiliser shortage, as it's normally produced from gas.

Japanesejazz · 31/08/2022 00:50

I have a log burner and horses producing 50 shits per day
How do I convert my muck heap?

Hawkins001 · 31/08/2022 00:56

It's a good idea op, all the best and positivity

MyLifeIsFictional · 31/08/2022 00:56

It's a nice idea but doubt if anyone would pay for it. Around here (Lincolnshire) horse manure is given away. Plus anyone with a wood burner or open fire probably have their own source of wood to burn or have it delivered and wouldn't be bothered about buying poo briquettes!

Hawkins001 · 31/08/2022 00:57

Japanesejazz · 31/08/2022 00:50

I have a log burner and horses producing 50 shits per day
How do I convert my muck heap?

I guess dry it out, and shape it into what ever shape fits, then burn.

Original poster

ShitABrick22 · 31/08/2022 01:08

Ok I’m maybe not completely bonkers then!

@Japanesejazz get googling! There’s a few websites with instructions on, although they do tend to vary slightly so I’m not sure what to believe. I think the basic premise is put some horse shits in a big tub, apparently it’s better if they’re mixed with straw rather than just pure shite, soak in water as you want it to be runny-ish, not dry, use some kind of brick maker (available on Amazon and the like), then leave to dry.

Seems a shame for the owner of the yard to be paying someone to tow all that shite away and dispose of it when it could be keeping people warm!

I think there would probably be a big market for shit bricks for wealthy folk around here. I live in a small yet pretentious west county town which has no useful shops, but a huge array of what I call ‘shit for cunts’ shops. Because they sell shit, for cunts, eg a make your own vinegar set for £80 (no joke). I can see artisan shit bricks going down a storm there, and I could feather the nest of the local food bank or something. Like Robin Hood, but smellier.

OP posts:

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 31/08/2022 01:51

How much would it cost you to give it a go?

if you make a big enough deal about it being eco friendly/sustainable (if it is) with all proceeds going to the food bank, they'll probably be elbowing to 'do the right thing'.

you could sell bricks & manure fertiliser.

yatd owner could chip in, instead of paying for it to be removed!

Trying20 · 31/08/2022 02:26

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn by the OP

RobertSmithsLipstick · 31/08/2022 02:32

Tie each brick up with an artfully arranged piece of string, and I reckon you're onto a winner.

Trying20 · 31/08/2022 02:32

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn by the OP

Augend23 · 31/08/2022 02:51

I think there are parts of the countryside with people who don't have much cash and do have an open fire.

I would say most of them do have access to fire wood though and if they have a fire they likely keep a coal bunker too.

You might find a market but I think overall the artisan zone might be more effective. Where would you dry it for long enough? I feel like you would end up taking up space pretty fast.

KosherDill · 31/08/2022 02:55

How about selling rotted/compost manure to gardeners and using the proceeds to help people with their fuel bills?

I'd kill for a steady supply of manure for my city garden.

Japanesejazz · 31/08/2022 09:17

How many shits to make a brick?

Janedoe82 · 31/08/2022 09:21

I think this is a great idea. I live in the country and would use them.

Introvertedandalone · 31/08/2022 09:23

I live on a narrowboat. Narrowboats are heated almost exclusively using solid fuel stoves in what can be a very harsh winter environment.

i am fairly fortunate although definitely not wealthy. But I would say many liveaboard boaters struggle financially; many have mental health problems the severity of which leaves them struggling to work. The necessarily itinerant life means that many of these people also struggle to access mental health services and social care in the way someone with a fixed abode might.

Do you live near a canal? This could be an opportunity to do some real good that makes a difference. What a kind thought of yours.

entropynow · 31/08/2022 09:24