Have you got experience of using alternatives to straw as bedding material for your pigs?We’d like to hear what you have found works as a good alternative, and what hasn’t!
Email kt@bpex.org.uk with your experience or add your comments below.
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Alternative bedding materials?
Have you got experience of using alternatives to straw as bedding material for your pigs?We’d like to hear what you have found works as a good alternative, and what hasn’t!
Email kt@bpex.org.uk with your experience or add your comments below.
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I suggest looking into saw dust (not the really fine stuff, but the more coarse version) and shavings. A producer in East Yorkshire gets it from processing plants where saw dust is a waste product and they only pay the transport costs to get it to the farm i.e. the saw dust is free. They have had no problems with metal pieces in the product, as it is all checked magnetically before leaving the plant. Sometimes smaller pieces of plastic have been found, but hasn't proved a problem. Apart from being a 'cheap' bedding alternative, the pigs seem to thrive on it and the air quality in the accommodation (normally sheds) is really good as saw dust is extremely absorbent. Coarseness is key.
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