Hay vs. Pine Straw

Providing livestock with a comfortable bed is as important as fresh food and water. There are dozens of types of beddings to choose from, and depending on what animals you're trying to accommodate some materials are better than others. Hay and pine straw are just two options you might be considering.

  1. Hay

    • Because hay is made with nutritious grasses and grains, it isn't the best choice for bedding. Most animals will graze on it, which will deplete their soft bed and can lead to digestive problems if overeaten.

    Horses

    • Hay is definitely a bad choice of bedding for horses. Pine straw is a better option. It smells fresh when it's first laid down and it's warm and fluffy. Like other straws, pine straw loses its fluffiness when it gets wet. Because it isn't very absorbent, odors can become a problem.

    Poultry

    • Using pine straw in a chicken coop is a matter of preference. Some people love it for its fresh scent and availability, but others find it also creates a hideaway for rodents.

    Cattle

    • Neither hay nor pine straw is safe for cattle. Pine straw is especially dangerous in pregnant cows. If the cow eats pine needles, poisonous compounds prevent blood flow to the placenta, causing the calf to die in utero.

    Goats

    • Temporarily try pine straw bedding with your goats. Sometimes it works out well, but other times the goats are tempted to eat it.

    Pigs

    • Pigs will sleep on just about anything from corn husks to oat straw. Pine straw has also been used successfully as pig bedding.