The Best Bedding for Pigs: Straw or Hay Vs Shavings Donna Larson, July 24, 2024July 24, 2024 We always stress the importance of having your infrastructure in place before bringing home a new animal, and pigs are no different. As you prepare your homestead to grow pork, you’re probably trying to figure out what’s the best bedding for pigs. Let’s dive in. The Best Bedding for Pigs Pigs, like other small animals, need a comfortable place to bed down that stays dry and warm. The best bedding for pigs is affordable and easily accessible. For this reason, I say use what you have if you’re able. Additionally, your bedding options may change seasonally, so be flexible with what you use. Last season’s good choice may not be available now. Be open to different options to keep a clean environment for your pigs. Why Pigs Need Bedding Pigs need bedding to provide comfort and insulation, keeping them warm and reducing stress. Bedding helps absorb moisture, maintaining a dry environment that prevents skin issues and respiratory problems. It also encourages natural behaviors like rooting and nesting, promoting better mental health. Additionally, bedding helps manage waste by absorbing urine and manure, making it easier to keep their living area clean. Temperature Control From the Best Bedding For Pigs Proper temperature regulation through bedding contributes to overall health and well-being, reducing stress and promoting better growth. Bedding helps pigs with temperature control by providing insulation, which keeps them warm in cold weather. The material, such as straw or wood shavings, traps air and creates a barrier that retains body heat. This is especially important for young pigs or piglets, which are more susceptible to hypothermia and pneumonia. In warmer weather, bedding can also help by absorbing excess moisture from the pigs’ skin, aiding in cooling through evaporation. Additionally, a comfortable bedding layer reduces direct contact with cold or hot flooring, further stabilizing their body temperature. Supplemental Feed Provided by The Best Bedding For Pigs Bedding can be used as supplemental feed for pigs when it consists of edible materials like straw or hay. These types of bedding provide roughage, which aids in digestion and can be a valuable fiber source in their diet. When pigs root through the bedding, they may consume some of it, which can help meet their nutritional needs, especially in low-resource settings. However, the best bedding for pigs must be clean and free from contaminants to ensure it is safe for consumption. Properly managed, this dual-purpose use of bedding can reduce waste and lower feeding costs while providing the added benefit of enrichment and nutrition for the pigs. How to Choose the Best Bedding for Pigs Choosing the best bedding for your pigs involves considering several factors: Comfort and Safety: The bedding should be soft and provide a comfortable surface to prevent injuries and sores. It should also be free from sharp objects or harmful substances. Absorbency: Effective bedding should absorb moisture well to keep the pigs dry and reduce odors. This helps maintain a clean and healthy environment. Cost and Availability: Consider the cost and availability of the bedding material. Some options may be more affordable or easier to source depending on your location. Ease of Management: The bedding should be easy to clean and replace. Some materials, like straw or shavings, may require more frequent changing than others. Environmental Impact: Evaluate the environmental impact of the bedding material. Recycled or biodegradable options, like hemp or coir, may be more eco-friendly and can be used in your home compost system. Health Considerations: Ensure the bedding is free from contaminants, chemicals, or excessive dust, as these can affect the pigs’ respiratory health and overall well-being. Pig Behavior: Consider how the bedding supports natural pig behaviors like rooting and nesting. Bedding that allows for these behaviors can improve their mental and physical health. Different Straws The best straw for pig bedding is typically barley, wheat, or oat straw. These types of straw are preferred because they are softer and more absorbent compared to other varieties like oat or rye straw. Barley and wheat straw provide a comfortable and insulating layer that helps keep pigs warm and dry. They are also durable, breaking down more slowly, which means they need to be replaced less frequently. Additionally, these straws are generally more available and cost-effective, making them a practical choice for many pig farmers. The drawback of using different straws is that they may contain a little dust that irritates your pigs eyes and lungs. Grass Hay Grass hay can be used for pig bedding, but it is not ideal. While it is softer and more comfortable than some types of straw, it tends to be less durable and breaks down more quickly, leading to more frequent replacements. Additionally, grass hay is more absorbent than straw, which can help keep the bedding dry, but it also means it can become damp and soiled faster. This can increase the risk of respiratory issues and skin infections if not managed properly. However, grass hay can provide some nutritional benefits if pigs consume it, offering fiber and some nutrients. Your pigs would say its the best option because they love it. The downside is that you have to clean their stalls more frequently to remove the wet, spoiled hay. Wood Chips Wood chips or coarse wood shavings can be used for pig bedding and offer several advantages. They provide good absorbency, helping to keep the bedding dry and reducing odors. Wood chips are also durable and break down slowly, making them a cost-effective option over time. They provide a comfortable surface for pigs to lie on, reducing the risk of sores and injuries. Mulched wood chips work really well for deep litter bedding during the winter months for the long term. Just keep adding more clean wood chips to the top layer. As the pile packs down, the manure and chips will compost beneath the top, dry layers. At the end of the season, or when you send pigs off to butcher, scoop out all of the bedding. The bottom layer may be added to your compost piles, finishing quickly for you to use elsewhere on your homestead. It is important to ensure the wood chips are from untreated waste wood, free from harmful chemicals or sharp splinters that could harm the pigs. Regular maintenance is necessary to keep the bedding clean and healthy for the pigs. Pine Shavings Pine shavings can be used for pig bedding. They are soft and absorbent, providing a comfortable and dry environment for the pigs. Pine shavings also help control odors by absorbing moisture and reducing ammonia buildup. However, it is important to ensure that the shavings are free from dust and any chemical treatments, as these can cause respiratory issues and other health problems in pigs. Regular cleaning and replenishing of the bedding are necessary to maintain a healthy environment. We have found that pine shavings don’t last as long as some of the other options. Do not replace pine shavings with cedar shavings as they contain oils that are harmful to pigs’ skin and respiratory system. The high oil content repels moisture as well, leaving a less than comfortable environment for your pigs. Paper Bedding Paper or dried paper pulp can be used for pig bedding and offers several benefits. Shredded paper is an extremely absorbent bedding, helping to keep the living area dry and reducing odors. It is also soft and comfortable, providing a good surface for pigs to rest on. Additionally, using recycled paper for bedding can be an eco-friendly and cost-effective option. However, it is important to ensure the paper is free from ink, chemicals, or coatings that could be harmful to the pigs. Frequently changing the paper bedding is necessary to maintain cleanliness and prevent moisture buildup, making this one not a great choice in my book. Pine Straw You can collect or purchase pine straw for pig bedding. Pine straw is relatively soft and provides a comfortable, insulating layer for pigs. It is also quite absorbent, helping to keep the bedding dry and control odors. Regular maintenance, including adding fresh pine straw and removing soiled material, is necessary to maintain a healthy environment for the pigs. This is one my favorite choices because it’s what we have readily available here in Florida. Again, the best bedding for pigs is whatever you have access to that will help you maintain a healthy environment for them. Some Other Good Options Besides our favorites that we’ve already mentioned, some other ideas are: Hemp Bedding: Made from hemp fibers, it is highly absorbent, soft, and reduces odors effectively. It is also biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Coir (Coconut Fiber): Coir is made from the husk of coconuts and provides good absorbency and comfort. It is also durable and compostable. Rice Hulls: These are a byproduct of rice processing and offer a good alternative to traditional bedding. They are absorbent and less dusty than some other materials. Peat Moss: Peat moss is highly absorbent and helps control odors. However, it can be expensive and may need to be replaced more frequently. Collecting large amounts of peat moss is not environmentally friendly either. Sawdust: Similar to shavings, sawdust is absorbent and can be a good bedding material, though it should be dust-free to prevent respiratory issues. How Much is Enough Bedding? Pigs generally need a depth of about 4 to 6 inches of bedding to ensure comfort and proper moisture control. The amount should be enough to cover the entire area where they rest, with enough extra to handle waste and absorb moisture. Regularly check the bedding and add more or replace it as needed to keep their living area clean and dry. Sourcing Bedding Material for Your Pigs Start by searching your property or surrounding public lands for a good option that’s readily available. Ask your neighbor’s if they’d mind you raking some pine straw or gathering old hay that their other animals wasted. You can easily source animal bedding for your pigs by checking with local agricultural stores or co-ops, as they often have a range of options. Online retailers also offer convenient delivery of various bedding materials. Additionally, local farms, garden centers, and recycling centers may provide or sell bedding materials. Lastly, consider agricultural byproducts from nearby processing plants for the right bedding, which can be a cost-effective solution. Summary of Best Bedding for Pigs Remember that the best bedding for pigs is comfortable, clean, and easily-sourced by the homesteader. Whether you choose a type of bedding that you can collect from your property or you use something unconventional like paper-based bedding, make sure to keep a clean, dry environment to reduce health issues for your pigs. Happy Homesteading! Donna at Hazel Belle Farm Donna and her family have been homesteading for most of their 20+ years together in some shape or fashion. She currently lives on their 20 acre farm where they grow as much food as possible. What started as a just a few laying hens, has grown into large gardens, pastured poultry, pork, and lamb. They are continuously evolving their small farm to not suit their family’s needs, but also providing to their local community. Donna’s favorite part of the family farm is her self-built micro-dairy, where she gets to love on dairy cows while serving her local community. Milking, cheesemaking, and processing dairy have become the soul of their homestead and the center of their farm. Homesteading Livestock