Straw or Shaving?

[Stacykins]

What do you like to use for bedding and why? I see that a lot of people use straw for bedding. Is it because of price? Absorbancy? I use softwood shavings as bedding in my chicken coop, but an making final preparations for my goats.

 

[currycomb]

the shavings are more absorbent. the straw keeps critters on top of the moisture. some use straw because that is what is available. whatever is convient for you. the straw may provide a bit of warmth when they lay on it.

 

[Mamaboid]

We use the same hay we feed, because we have a good source for it and it is cheaper than straw is here. We do probably clean a little more often than we would have to with straw, but our huts are small and have clean out doors so are easy to clean. We use shavings in the chicken coop also, and hay in the nests.

 

[AdoptAPitBull]

I used straw for almost a year, and then moved to shavings. It makes for a MUCH easier muck out and smells much better, too. I even put down a few bags of kitty litter under the shavings and that cut down on the smell and moisture, too.

I will never go back to straw again!

 

[Sinistershelly]

So wood shavings are ok for goats? I would much prefer to use them myself but I was told not to because the goats would eat it and get sick. If thats not true, Im going with shavings then.

 

[elevan]

You don't want to use cedar shavings.

Pine shavings are GREAT!

If you use straw, then chopped straw is best (run it through a wood chipper).

Kitty litter under the shavings? That's an interesting idea.

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Kitty litter...hmmmm. Nonclumping kind, right? I bet that cuts down on the ammonia smell. Might have to try it

 

[redtailgal]

We use shavings and the hay that they waste over top of it.

 

[AdoptAPitBull]

Kitty litter...hmmmm. Nonclumping kind, right? I bet that cuts down on the ammonia smell. Might have to try it

I just got 2-3 bags of cheap litter at walmart. Didn't want to spend a whole lot in case it wasn't going to work. Next time I'll get another bag or two to make a thicker layer. Seems to work 1,000x better than straw/hay that keeps the ground wet and mushy underneath.

 

[SmallFarmGirl]

Hay for goats. shavings for Chickens.