Hardwood sawdust as bedding

[LCH611]

Has anybody ever used this as I have been offered some - would be from a boat building yard so would be a lot of teak in it. I know I would have to sift through to make certain there weren't any screws etc, but are there any other drawbacks - is it more incined to make them sneeze/cause splinters/be not very absorbent etc?

 

[smurf]

Not worth the hassle, I used to look after a pony at next door farm when they were on holiday and they used the same for the pony and bulls as it was free. Horrible and dusty and pony used to wheeze and splutter etc Also you got small bits of wood in it and they got stuck in his feet.

We eventually 'rescued' pony and brought him home, 2 months on Auboise and he never coughed or sneezed again.

It's free cos it's horrible

 

[TarrSteps]

I'd be very leery, especially from a boat yard as there would be a high risk it might be contaminated with sanded off varnish or similar. Also, there are a couple of woods that are poisonous to horses and while you would probably not find them in general commercial supplies they might show up in speciality work.

I did use shavings from a craftsman who worked in pine at one point but he was very careful to keep the shavings 'clean'. Even so, the supply was not reliable and it was such a hassle it wasn't worth it.

 

[LCH611]

ah yes, hadn't thought of the varnish - I shall therefore steer well clear & not use it for my chickens either! Having said that there is a joinery shop next door, so I might stick my head round the door & see what they have - was just going to use it as an under layer for two minging wet horses so am not too worried about the dust aspects as the ventilation is very good and they seem to wait till they get indoors before peeing copiously which soon damps everything down!

 

[EventingMum]

Hardwood is much more of an irritant than softwood. My OH is a joiner and gives me his softwood shavings / sawdust but not hardwood because of this. I have recently changed on to baled soft wood sawdust after having problems from my straw pellet supplier and I'm very surprised at how good it is - not noticably dusty, very light to work with and very absorbant.