Pine/cedar shavings, which is best

[Redwater]

I was reading heartbeat the other day, and something was stated about cedar bedding causing respitory problems with fawns. What are some of the thoughts on this.

[Buckskin]

I have heard the exact same thing and I don't use them on my newborn fawns when they are in there inside pens for the first couple weeks but when I put them in the outside pens I switch to a mix of cedar and pine shavings and I doesn't bother them a bit. It also tends not to attract quite so many flies and nats. I no my vet says he uses the cedar shavings from the start with his fawns. No apperent problems but I figure why take a chance. Rick

[CurtisLloyd]

I don't think it would be the shavings, possibly mold and mildue if they were not changed regularly, I use barley straw in my fawn barn for bedding, and the amonia from the urine gets nasty after a three or four days the uric acid fumes hover near the floor because of the weight of the gas and the barn didn't smell real bad unless you got into fawn sleeping distance , to clean I use diluted chlorine bleach and a fine push broom to scrub the concrete floor . Has anyone ever put lime down on the floor before the bedding?

[Buckskin]

Curtis I tried it this year and it does help with the smell. When you go to shovel out the wet bedding the lime is kind of like wet cement though. I also used stall dry under the bedding and that works a little better but it cost alot more. Rick

[Wooden acres]

I just love using good ol barn lime everywhere !! I'd put barn lime everywhere in my fawn barn ,and I mean every inch of floor had barn lime on it . In the pens in the alley ways ,everywhere . I like woodshavings too but yes they can cause a very fine dust that gets into the lungs , just lime the floor , put down some shavings and cover that with straw ! In my opinion and it's only my opinion theres no better bedding pack as we call it then lime first , then shavings then straw to cut down the dust . Barn lime is not only nice and white but keeps the PH at a level bacteria can't grow well in ! Just a thought and nothing more ...Have a good one !! :)

[virgil]

I was going to use clorox to clean my pens the other day but my wife informed me that urine has amonia in it and amonia and clorox mixed together creats posioness gasses. She said shold use amonia to clean up urine in the pens. Lime is always good idea to. Just a thought.

[Scott Heinrich]

If a moth won't get near cedar, why would you pack a fawn in it?

[PaintedMeadowsBJs]

I have no idea if it is true... but heard cedar bedding causes cancer in long term use with lab rats... I have no idea if it is true!
I remember reading it somewhere and never used it since...

[Rick]

to keep the moths away

[gcw matt]

Dr. Shipley recommends Cedar to control flies. "Pens should be on dirt (if possible) or the new raised decks may work well (I haven’t tried them).
The dirt should be covered with 2-4 inches or so of crushed limestone and then have shavings (or straw) on top. I think shavings work better and I am fond of cedar chips as I think they tend to keep flies away a little better plus I like their smell! Pine shavings or chips are fine but try to get kiln dried (cleaner with fewer bacteria in them) and try to stay away from sawdust on the really small fawns (gets in their eyes)."
http://www.ildfa.com/Heath%20Beat%20articles/Fawn%20Care%20Guidelines%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%2 0%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20% 20%20%20%20Dr.pdf

[Redwater]

Thanks for all the info, I have been using cedar shavings, and have not had any problems.