Bedding Options for Livestock

What does bedding actually do?

Good bedding absorbs moisture, insulates the animal from cold ground, cushions joints and keeps hair and hooves cleaner. Clean, dry bedding supports healthier feet, skin and udders and reduces the work of keeping animals presentable. Poor or wet bedding does the opposite and encourages bacteria and flies.

Think of bedding as a system, not a purchase. How you clean it, how often you add to it and where the used material goes all matter as much as the material itself.

The cost of bedding is more than the price on the bag. Consider hauling, storage space, how quickly it breaks down in the manure pile, and the hours you spend cleaning stalls. A cheaper material that you replace twice as often may be the more costly choice.

What are the common bedding choices?

Straw is widely used and comfortable, though quality and supply vary by region. Wood shavings and sawdust absorb well but some types may not suit every species, so ask your veterinarian. Hay can serve in a pinch, though it is better used as feed. Sand is used for some animals and can drain well, but it needs particular manure handling. Shredded paper, corn stalks and other crop residues are used where they are locally available.

Availability and price change by season and region, so ask local producers and your feed or farm supply store what they are using and how it is holding up.

• Straw: warm and familiar, can be dusty or moldy if stored poorly.
• Shavings: absorbent, easy to handle, source matters.
• Sand: drains well, hard on equipment.
• Crop residues: low cost where available, quality varies.

How do I choose for my species?

Horses, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and poultry all differ. Some animals will eat their bedding, which means mold or dust becomes a feed problem. Some have respiratory sensitivities. Newborns and animals with injuries need especially clean, soft footing. Poultry house floors are managed differently from stalls.

Your veterinarian and extension office know which materials work or cause trouble in your animals' situation. Be cautious with any material you cannot identify, such as shavings from unknown woods, and ask before using them.

Allergies and dust are worth thinking about, both for animals and for people who handle the bedding daily. If a barn is dusty enough that you cough while working, the animals are breathing the same air. Wetting dusty bedding lightly or choosing a lower-dust product may help, and your doctor or veterinarian can advise on symptoms.

How should I store bedding?

Wet bedding is moldy bedding, and mold can harm lungs. Keep it dry, off the ground and well ventilated. Store it away from heat sources and from the main hay supply in a way that lowers fire risk. Bales that arrive damp should not go into the barn; set them aside and check them.

Buy what you can store properly. A bargain on a large load of bedding is no bargain if half of it spoils in the rain.

How often should I clean and replace it?

Frequency depends on animal number, space, weather and the material. Remove wet and soiled areas daily where you can, and add fresh bedding as needed. A deep bedding approach, in which new material is added over old and removed less often, can work for some systems but requires good management, ventilation and dry conditions.

If you smell strong ammonia, see wet patches that do not dry or find animals lying in dirty areas, your bedding system is not keeping up. Adjust before animals develop health problems.

Keep an eye on the floor beneath the bedding. Rubber mats, packed clay or well drained gravel under the bedding can reduce how much material you need and make cleaning easier. Floors that stay wet underneath will ruin even a thick layer of fresh bedding.

What do I do with used bedding and manure?

Used bedding is a resource when handled well. Compost it, spread it on fields or sell it, but follow local rules. Many states have requirements about manure storage, application and distance from water, and your state agriculture or environmental agency can tell you what applies. NRCS can discuss nutrient management planning.

Do not pile manure where runoff can reach wells, streams or ponds. Piles also generate heat and can catch fire if mismanaged.

How can I keep bedding costs reasonable?

Compare sources across several suppliers, buy in season when the price is low and storage allows, and use only what you need. Consider what is produced nearby, since hauling costs add up. Some farms accept used bedding or sell surplus, so ask around.

Keep simple notes on how much you use each month so your budget reflects reality. Costs you track are costs you can manage.

Some producers keep a small reserve of bedding for emergencies such as storms, floods or a sudden birthing season. Having a dry bale or two on hand when the weather turns can make a hard night easier.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.