do you use pellet bedding or shavings? which one

[4hooves&featheredfriends]

I use sawdust now as I have a source and it is alot less expensive than baled bedding. I tried the Woody Pet product in two of my stalls and overall I found it to last a bit longer than shavings but was dusty as it broke up and not all that cost effective.

It was sold as a product that you would have an initial upfront expense - as you put 6-8 bags in a 10x10 then each week add a bag or two. The bags when I bought them were $5.69, so it cost $67 for the first stall. The base lasted about 3-4 weeks - maybe a bit longer. Whereas with shavings I put two bales in a week, stripping the stall every 5-7 days.

Sorry about the length - hope that this helps.

PS Friends tried the less expensive version of Woody and it was not as absorbent.

The dust factor is why I wouldn't use them for chicks but maybe for mature birds. One of my horses actually was eating it as well.

 

[bheila]

My husband used to pick 30 horse stalls a day. They would put 2 bags of pellets into an empty stall and then every other day they put 1/2 bag back into the stall to replace what they scoop out. I can't imagine using 6 bags, that's too much. I only use 1-2 bags a month for the goat shed for 3 goats.

 

[cutiepieacres]

I use the pelleted bedding(either wood stove pellets or the kind for horses) for my Texel guinea pigs as the shavings get stuck and matted into their curls. For the breeders though I just use the pine shavings as they are less expensive here and I keep their hair short so they dont make a mess of their coats. I am not sure that I notice a difference in their cages other than the fact that the pellets dont get caught in their hair. But as far as moisture and cleaning cages all the cages need to be cleaned once a week on either pellets or shavings. I use shavings in all of my barns due to the fact that they are less expensive and I like that they are softer.

 

[CountryMom]

The pellets made for horses and small animals at the feed and pet stores are pressed pine sawdust. You can find the hardwood pellets at your fireplace supply store if you have one. I have never used those hard wood ones.

I use pine pellets in all my guinea pig cages - and we have a LOT. I have to agree that they tangle less in a long haired show guinea pigs coat and that is one reason. However, they also absorb like nothing else.

I have used them also in my horse stalls and it is amazing how they keep the smell down and are super easy to clean. I do mist the top of the horse stall ones because I have one horse that likes to sample the bedding.

I also used them as a base for my chicken coop since it is a dirt floor. I put probably 6 or 7 bags down in my 16 X 10 foot coop to start with. I top that with shavings for comfort. I also use them in my brooders under shavings for when those chicks spill their water and it turns the shavings into a muddy poopy mess before you know it. Again, it really helps with ordor control.

I bet if you give them a try you will find yourself a believer also.

 

[ametauss]

I use a mixture of pellets and shavings in both my chicken coop and goat house.... I love their ability to soak things up...

I use them around the watering tub since my ducks like to make a big splash.....

Anywhere you have moisture issues they're good to use.... I don't wet mine as I'm usually putting them somewhere where there's moisture to soak up....

I have never had any of my animals (goats/chickens/ducks/turkeys) try to eat them... I read a few posts warning you about the goats wanting to eat them but I never had an issue...

The only issue I have is now finding them... The local TSC said that with the construction slow-down it is getting harder for them to get the pellets as they're made from saw dust from wood factories....

 

[Wynette]

I started with pine shavings for my chickens, switched to pellets, then switched back to shavings. I didn't find the pellets easy to work with at all, any less dusty, or that I was cleaning less often. Around here, pelleted bedding is more expensive than shavings. Plus, pellets are...well....hard. I like knowing my girls have something soft to walk on. THey also like to dust bathe in the shavings, but obvioulsy not in the pellets. And, I put shavings in their nest boxes anyway, so they have a nice, soft spot to lay their eggs and they do not crack. So, I'd be using the shavings for the nest boxes anyway.

I do use the pellets for my horses, and for that use, I will never switch back to shavings! My manure pile is less than half the size is was with shavings, and they absorb much more and more quickly than shavings do. I have one of those geldings that can drink 5 gallons and pee out 10, so I need all the help I can get in HIS stall!

 

[RockyToggRanch]

I switched to pellets recently. I did one stall to start with, just so I could compare side by side. I hated cleaning the shaving stall after that and quickly switched both stalls to pellets. They are much dryer, must less dusty and last sooo much longer! Oh and what a difference in smell! I use on the dirt floor of the coop and also in brooders. 40 lb bag of Equine fresh brand is $6.49 at TSC. It's 100% pine which is safe for animals.

I wouldn't dream of walking barefoot in my barn, so my comfort isn't a consideration. The animals don't seem to have any complaints.

 

[what was i thinking]

Quote:
did you look at the ad i posted? i was going to pm you about it. i wasn't going to go there with walking on them. i myslef don't go out in the barn barefoot either....

 

[RockyToggRanch]

Yes, I saw the ad. It's a penny less per pound and there's no Country Max near me, so it doesn't save me anything after gas. But thanks. I've been looking into pallet discounts. TSC offers 5% and the local Agway offers a little less of a discount. Still not enough to justify the fuel and storage. I'll keep watching though.

 

[squeakyduck]

I went to TSC today and bought some pine-based horse pellets for squeaky's indoor cage. I will let you guys and gals know how good they are. I do have to admit that they do smell kinda good though.