What are wood shavings?

Wood shavings are the by-product caused as timber is sawn, planed or milled which often looks similar to a curl or peeling of the surface of a piece of wood. At Jacksons our shavings come from our 28% moisture content kiln dried timber which is untreated which we then manufacture into our fence panels, garden gates and associated products.

What to do with wood shavings

The benefits of using wood shavings or using shavings as animal bedding horse/equestrian/animal bedding

Wood shavings are a highly versatile and cost-effective bedding option, offering excellent absorbency, easy clean-up, and widespread availability. They come compacted in watertight, cling-film-wrapped bales that stack easily for convenient storage. Pine shavings, in particular, provide a pleasant, natural aroma due to their odour-absorbing oils, and also feature antibacterial and ammonia-reducing properties. Our shavings undergo a kiln-drying process, which removes excess moisture, enhancing absorbency and reducing the product's initial weight. Non kilned dried wood shavings will be heavier and therefore result in less product in each bale. Jacksons’ wood shavings also have the advantage that they are manufactured from fresh timber, using high quality species of timber, and have larger flakes.

There are many benefits of using shavings in any suited application. The lists below highlight benefits for horses and poultry; these are the most popular applications, but the advantages are similar for most other applications and uses.

High-quality shavings offer key benefits for horses and owners, including:

  • Efficient Moisture Control: Helps to keep stalls/stables dry and comfortable.
  • They go a long way and are long lasting: compared to other options a bale can cover a large area and will provide a longer lasting bed providing good value.
  • Enhanced Hoof Support: Provides stable footing, aiding hoof health.
  • Improved Hygiene and Rest: Reduces bacteria build-up, promoting a cleaner environment for better rest.
  • Joint and Hock Cushioning: Softens impact to protect joints and reduce strain. • Easy to store – wrapped in film, all you need is a dry location that is raised off the ground to store them.
  • Insulation: denser than other materials, they offer valuable insulation against the cold that seeps up from the ground and provide a much-needed degree of warmth.
  • Easy to use: see the video below

High-quality shavings offer key benefits for poultry and poultry farms, including:

  • Superior Moisture Control and High Absorbency: Wood shavings stand out among poultry bedding options due to their excellent dryness and absorbency, which are crucial for coop hygiene. Most poultry droppings contain high moisture, and if bedding lacks sufficient absorbency, it can quickly become a wet, unpleasant mess with strong odours. The better the absorbency of your bedding, the less odour you will notice in the coops and within farms, allowing for longer intervals between bedding changes.
  • They go a long way and are long lasting – compared to other options, a bale can cover a large area and will provide a longer lasting bed providing good value. 
  • Insulation and warmth: denser than other materials, shavings offer valuable insulation against the cold that seeps up. This reduces stress and helps with breeding and to lay egg layings. 
  • Ground Support and Comfort: Wood shavings provide a soft, dry, and fresh bedding option, offering excellent comfort for poultry. Their gentle texture ensures a cosy environment, making them a top choice for poultry farms.
  • Improved Hygiene and Rest: Reduces bacteria build-up, promoting a cleaner environment for better rest and less chance of disease or complications on the farm.
  • Easy to store: wrapped in film, all you need is a dry location that is raised off the ground to store them.
  • Manure source: Using wood shavings as poultry bedding has the added benefit of repurposing them as manure or mulch once they are removed from the coop or farm. The shavings typically contain enough ammonia and urea to serve as a highly effective source of manure, enriching the soil and promoting plant growth.

 

Cons include varying quality issues depending where you buy them from as some wood shavings can be dusty and may be manufactured from timber that has been stored for long periods of time. Wood shavings also need to be mucked out regularly to avoid the build-up of ammonia and to avoid respiratory problems..

Wooden shavings bundle

 

Wood shavings in the garden

Shredded materials from wood conifers (conifers e.g. pine, yew, larch etc.) such as wood shavings make for high quality mulch. The reason is the shavings decompose slowly, making them long-lived and reducing the need for re-application which will save you time and money. When used as mulch they make a brilliant protective layer, moderating soil conditions by absorbing moisture and slowly releasing it back into the soil helping to suppress weeds and protect the soil from erosion, capping and compaction by the elements.

Why use wood shavings from Jacksons Fencing?

Produced from a variety of fresh coniferous untreated timber, kiln dried softwood with no hardwood content our shavings arrive ready supplied in compressed bales and are available in bulk buying options. They are durable, long lasting and free from pathogens. Weighing an average of around 18kg per bale, hey are film-wrapped with a polythene cover over the top to ensure dry safe storage and are perfect for use as cubicle bedding, equine bedding, pet bedding, and most other animal bedding.

Buy Wooden Shavings Online

This blog was rewritten and updated on the 31/10/2024