Pine shavings for lambing pens

[neilo]

Using pine shavings for bedding lambing pens seemed all the rage a couple of years ago, and lots on here were on for trying it.

Of those that did, how did you get on, and are you still doing it? Is it worth the extra expense over straw, and reduce disease challenge?

What shavings are best for it, and how much do you get through (per 100 ewes)?

 

[TlymarT_028]

I have always been told it locks up the N when rotting down but it becomes available once fully rotted down and can also make land quite acidic once spread onto it saying that old boss used it for a while for lambing and I preferred the stuff - still on the straw myself due to the price

 

[ShooTa]

yeah dried woodchip do suck up N ( as we found out mulching garden beds.)
so best to compost it once used (mix in some green stuff- lawn clippings/old silage)

 

[neilo]

I was thinking more for a few individual lambing pens, rather than bedding the whole shed with them. I wouldn’t be too concerned about the few buckets that would come out of lambing pens, even in my little muck heap.

 

[Jrp221]

We used Stockmax in the pens for a few years but have changed to ordinary large shavings. We clean and lime the pens between ewes anyway so reckon any disinfectant properties are minimised anyway.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Briefly tried it many years ago, wasn't impressed with the way it stuck to the lambs, and the quantity required to keep the pen clean.
Probably didn't stick at it long enough to give it a really fair trial though.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Using pine shavings for bedding lambing pens seemed all the rage a couple of years ago, and lots on here were on for trying it.

Of those that did, how did you get on, and are you still doing it? Is it worth the extra expense over straw, and reduce disease challenge?

What shavings are best for it, and how much do you get through (per 100 ewes)?

thought you were an outside lambing man…

 

[Uggman]

Yeah my uncle used to use shavings on his small flock free from a joiner (he bed his lorry's decks with it as well)but my dad and other uncle said that ewes didn't take lambs so well because they didn't lick them off probably because they didn't like shavings and dust in there mouth but might take up more moisture if you put it under staw

 

[M-J-G]

I know folks that use bedmax for their Leicesters and even though they have them in small pens for quite a long time they don't get any bother.

Surely if there is plenty of straw there's not much of any advantage with shavings.

A lot of folks get carried away with focusing on the hygiene in small pens, having ewes clean in their groups is equally if not more important IMO

 

[neilo]

thought you were an outside lambing man…

The main lot are, 180 pedigrees and ET recips to lamb inside in March as well though. It's only ever the shed ones that give us any bother with joint ill.

 

[Natters]

We’ve used Bedmax for two years now, and not had a problem. Used straw before that and had issues, but to be honest the weather was awlful and the stock density and time on it was too much to cope. Changed to shavings to prevent that arising again as it’s easier and quicker to clean out. I use std shavings in the holding pen, and pine shavings in the lambing/mothering pens. Not had issues with shavings sticking to lambs. They’re difficult to rot down and seems a shame to shovel out all that money, but I don’t have my own straw so I’d have to buy something anyway. Been looking at what to buy this year; Bedmax, Littlemax, Stockmax or Blue Frog. ????

 

[Northeastfarmer]

The main lot are, 180 pedigrees and ET recips to lamb inside in March as well though. It's only ever the shed ones that give us any bother with joint ill.

Would prurex work? I know you trialed it….was it no good?

 

[Hesstondriver]

Shavings would potentiality lock up N short term, BUT its a relatively small amount used in a lambing pen and by the time they make it to the heap and mixed with other muck and spread thinly i doubt one would notice the difference. ( compared to big cattle yards bedded on artics of the stuff)

doesn't Pine have some natural anti microbial / disinfectant properties ?

 

[Natters]

I know folks that use bedmax for their Leicesters and even though they have them in small pens for quite a long time they don't get any bother.

Surely if there is plenty of straw there's not much of any advantage with shavings.

A lot of folks get carried away with focusing on the hygiene in small pens, having ewes clean in their groups is equally if not moreimportant IMO

I agree with the last part. Dirty wool is trimmed off before coming into the holding pen, and udders and teats wiped clean. We now have a checklist of actions to manage my OCD.

 

[neilo]

Would prurex work? I know you trialed it….was it no good?

It was absolutely fantastic the first year and thought we'd cracked the job, but didn't seem to make any difference at all for the last 2 years for some reason. It's not a cheap option, especially if it doesn't work.

I have straw of my own, so buying expensive bales of shavings would make me wince, but if they work...

 

[MDL POWERUP]

Used it for pet lamb pen this year and keeps them drier for longer but it would cost a fortune to do the whole shed!

 

[Sprig]

You could always trial a chopped straw bedding (something like Equinola). If you are buying your shavings in bales you will find these bales cheaper. We use it for our ducks and for bedding up the odd sickly sheep. Have found it performs well and it is v quick to rot down on the muck heap.

 

[DanM]

It was absolutely fantastic the first year and thought we'd cracked the job, but didn't seem to make any difference at all for the last 2 years for some reason. It's not a cheap option, especially if it doesn't work.

I have straw of my own, so buying expensive bales of shavings would make me wince, but if they work...

Not wishing to teach old dog new tricks; I assume colostrum quality and quantity are top notch and umbilicals are dipped in 10% iodine straight away….

…perhaps detail what’s the current regime for keeping infection down in your follow on pens, might highlight to others what could be changed??

 

[gatepost]

Tried, no quantifiable difference so straw for me, but I do use some dry bed type powder, which I think works well in pens, and dust it round the big pens on fresh straw, possibly less foot soreness and I think having a bit of antiseptic on the ewes belly wool might help, who knows, smells quite nice, no effect on the wife yet, leaping on me, not quite old spice!

 

[ISCO]

We have used bedmax pine shavings for 5 years. In that time we have eliminated blanket Spectam apart from weak lambs and blanket Betamox and not seen any increase in either disease.
As to quantity we tend to use a couple of bales a day amongst 30 lambing pens when in full swing.
Another reason we like them is that although we have straw, it is all in big bales and wife has to wait for son to.bring a bale core or some slabs which does not always happen when she needs it. A bag of shavings is as handy as small bales of straw for bedding pens and she can just get one herself.
Shavings certainly work for our system.