Animal Bedding Guide: Shavings, Straw & Pellets Explained

When it comes to caring for animals, whether it’s horses in the barn, chickens in the coop, or goats in the pen, bedding is more than just something soft to lie on. The right bedding affects comfort, cleanliness, odor control, health, and even your wallet. At Elston’s, we know bedding isn’t one-size-fits-all, which is why we stock a wide variety of options, each with a purpose.

This guide will help you understand how different bedding products work, why they matter, and how to choose the best fit for your animals.

Why Bedding Matters

Good bedding creates a dry, warm, and comfortable space for animals. But beyond comfort, bedding also:

• Manages moisture: Keeps pens, stalls, and coops drier, reducing bacteria growth.
• Controls odor: Materials like Sweet PDZ neutralize ammonia smells.
• Protects health: Cleaner environments reduce respiratory risks, hoof issues, and stress.
• Saves money: Absorbent and long-lasting bedding reduces how often you need to clean or replace it.

When bedding works right, you’ll notice healthier animals, easier cleanup, and a barn that smells a lot fresher. That’s why at Elston, we’ve put together a Bedding & Litter collection that supports both animal comfort and easier care for their environments.

Chicken Bedding: More Than Just Hay

Chickens may be small, but their bedding needs are big. A coop with the wrong bedding can quickly become smelly and unhealthy.

• Premium Bedding (Odor Control + Health) – Perfect for reducing ammonia, keeping coops fresher, and supporting respiratory health, Mallard Creek’s Premium Poultry Bedding is a natural, cost-effective way to keep your coop clean.
• Coop Cleaning Products – Designed for high absorbency and odor management—ideal for busy chicken keepers who want less maintenance. Koop Clean absorbs quickly and keeps things fresh with minimal effort.
• Budget-Friendly Hay Chaff – A budget-friendly option, but less absorbent and can mold if it gets damp. Best for short-term or outdoor-only setups.
• Regular Shavings – A versatile option with good absorbency. Easy to spread, clean, and replace. Works for most backyard and farm coops.

Tip: Layer bedding pellets underneath shavings to increase absorbency and extend bedding life.

Horse Bedding: Comfort Meets Function

Horses are big animals with equally big bedding needs. Choosing the right bedding can affect both their comfort and your chore list.

• Big Flake Shavings – Best for temporary setups, like keeping stalls comfortable during a storm. Easy to spread and quick to clean up.
• Small Flake Shavings – Great for permanent stalls where spot cleaning is important. Smaller flakes absorb more and help stalls stay cleaner longer.
• Bedding Pellets (Underneath Shavings) – These compressed, ground-up pellets expand with moisture and provide extra absorbency. Used under shavings, they create a cushioned, long-lasting stall base, like our Mallard Creek Bedding Pellets. 
• Sweet PDZ –Not bedding itself, but a deodorizer you can add to bedding. It helps control ammonia and keeps stalls smelling fresh while extending bedding life.

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of big and small flake shavings to help you choose what works best for your stalls.

Bedding for Livestock, Goats, and Pets

Different animals have different needs:

• Goats & Sheep: Straw or shavings are common, with pellets added underneath for absorbency. Goats especially love a clean, dry pen.
  Cattle & Livestock: Heavier animals need durable bedding like straw, with pellets or lime underneath for odor control and moisture.
• Pets (like rabbits or guinea pigs): Smaller, softer bedding options like fine shavings or pellets that are dust-free and safe for sensitive respiratory systems. An option for this is CareFresh Litter, a natural paper-based bedding that’s 99% dust-free, highly absorbent, helps with odor control, and is gentle on delicate feet.

Seasonal Bedding Prep: First Rain & Winter Stock-Up

When the first rains hit, mud and moisture management become top priorities. Bedding helps with:

• Erosion control: Prevents pens and runs from turning into soggy messes.
• Footing: Reduces slipping risks in stalls and pens.
• Comfort in cold weather: Extra bedding adds warmth and insulation.

Stock Up Early: Bedding, hay, and grain demand spikes before winter. Ordering early ensures you have what you need and helps you avoid supply crunches.

How to Choose Bedding: A Quick Guide

• For odor control → Premium chicken bedding, Sweet PDZ, Coop Clean.
• For high absorbency → Pellets under shavings, small flakes.
• For budget-friendly options → Hay chaff, regular shavings.
• For long-term stall setups → Small flakes + pellets.
• For quick storm comfort → Big flakes.

Choosing bedding comes down to balancing comfort, cost, and care. Think about your animal’s space, the season, and how much time you want to spend cleaning.

Final Word

At Elston’s, we believe good bedding is the foundation of good animal care. Whether you’re raising chickens in a backyard coop or managing a barn full of horses, the right bedding makes life better for both you and your animals.

Stop by and explore our wide selection – we’ll help you find the perfect fit for your needs. And don’t forget: with winter around the corner, now’s the time to stock up.

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Elston Hay & Grain

For over 55 years, Elston’s has been San Diego’s go-to for animal care and rural living. We proudly support generations of horse lovers, livestock caretakers, pet owners, and home growers with top-notch hay, feed, and supplies. Rooted in ranching and built on friendly know-how, we’re here to help you care for your animals with confidence. Whether you’re raising chickens, feeding a stable, or spoiling your pup, here at Elston’s we’ve got what you need.

Shop online or visit us at our locations in Ramona and Poway. We proudly deliver to all of San Diego County, including Escondido, Lakeside, Warner Springs, Julian, Ranchita, and South County. https://shop.elstonhayandgrain.com/