Has anyone used saw dust for bedding, or know anyone who does? I dont mean shavings though, I mean the actual saw dust. ;)

What are the pros and cons of it? Shavings have gotten to be very expensive here and I'm thinking about changing to saw dust for the horse and goats.

So any thoughts?

The only disadvantage I could think of Amy is that the flakiness of the dust could cause eye irritation such as on breezy days picking up the dust into the barn air.

Other than that - it would be just as absorbent, but a bit heavier during clean up because of the denseness and packing down from being walked/laid on.

I've seen the saw dust used in horse stalls at Christines and I love how absorbent it is. That and the price is the reason I want to change. Right now when cleaning out the stalls (goats) the straw is heavy because of being peed on and packed down. ARG. Lol. I dont think the weight will be an issue. I suppose I could always trie it and if it doesnt work then I know not to use it for goats any more. Lol. I thought about just putting a sprinkle of water on it, just like a mist during the day if it got real dry and breezy and it started to irritate the goats. You think that would work, or help?

I would think the first couple days until they are walking on it and laying to sort of pack it down, then the dust may settle just fine. A light water mist for the first day or two should the winds pick up and the doors open I think would be just fine. Just don't want to overdo the water to take away from the absorbency. Boy, do I know how the packing down of the bedding in trying to clean the stalls - - - that is how I developed stronger muscles in my forearms I think (hee hee).

When cleaning the stalls, the saw dust and manure can be put right into a garden or compost area as the dust will break down quick and the manure will add nitrogen to the soil as well. Straw and hay take a lot longer than a wood byproduct.

I would say go ahead to try it and should it not work, then you can always change back :D I can't think of any reason not to.

Thanks! I'm hoping this works. Usually Spring-Fall i use shavings and straw in the winter and at kidding times. I hate using straw but its warmer for the goats. Shavings here is 4 dollars a bag! :o TOO EXPENSIVE!

I do the same as the hay seems to radiate their body heat. The cats in the barn hide in the tunnels to keep warm. With your new barns, which will keep them warm, dry, and out of the wind so they should do just fine. Plus with these milder temps we are having that is great for the goaties - I hope winter never gets here.

Yea I hope so to. I hate winter. December 29th it was warm enough that I was in jeans and a hoodie working on fence......warm enough for that in DECEMBER! Lol

Well I got saw dust and put down last Thursday. The goats don't seem to mind it at all, and the dust isnt a problem, even with the wind blowing through. Which is great! The barn smelled really good the first few times I opened the barn door. Lol. The bedding doesnt look really nasty yet. I clean the dropped hay daily so it doesnt make it extremely hard to clean up when its time to clean the stall out. I'm happy this is working because I have enough saw dust in one load to do the stalls about 3 times for $20.00. TO do the stall 3 times with regular shavings it would cost approx $90-$100 :o . We figured it up today.

One thing to think about is when you are kidding, I would not suggest using the saw dust. It is known to not be good for kids and their breathing. It gets in their noses and has potential of causing serious problems. That is all I know about it, that is why I have never used it. I thought I would give you my input because I would hate for something to happen to precious little kids unnecessarily. ;)

We use strictly straw for kidding. :D Thanks though!

The people that we got our saanans from use shavings. They smell wonderful and are nice and clean, but I have heard that they are bad for kids, as saw dust is for kidding (as you already know, Amy). The only thing that I have heard about saw dust is it is hard to find during certain times of the year.

I use straw, but I agree, it packs down and is difficult as it packs down when wet. This year it seems that I got my hands on square bales of chopped straw. I really like it much better than the tightly packed long strands (for lack of better words) straw.

I used shavings but used straw for kiddings and in the winter.
Funny story! I had a doe that kidded and she only had shavings, which I know can be bad, but the only thing that happened is the kids got shavings stuck all over them and looked like sheep! :D
I cleaned them off! ;)

LOL A Sheep was born! :lol:

The saw dust we get comes from certain trees so it doesnt have the poisonous kind that horses can get sick of so we have to call in advance. But i think the saw dust will last us about 3 weeks. Should anyways.