Why Wood Shavings Reduce Ammonia Levels in Closed Winter Barns

Winter presents a unique challenge for livestock farmers: closed barns, necessary to keep animals warm, trap ammonia from animal waste, compromising air quality and health. High ammonia levels can lead to respiratory issues, eye irritation, and increased disease susceptibility, with studies indicating up to 5-8% higher mortality rates in poorly ventilated winter barns. Wood shavings, with their natural absorbency and chemical properties, excel at reducing ammonia levels, creating a healthier environment for livestock like cattle, goats, and chickens. This post explores the science behind how wood shavings control ammonia, supported by a realistic case study, and subtly highlights their role alongside wood pellets.

The Ammonia Problem in Winter Barns

Ammonia (NH₃) is produced when bacteria break down urea in animal urine and feces. In closed winter barns, limited ventilation—often reduced to conserve heat—allows it to accumulate, reaching harmful levels. According to Brookside Agra’s article on ammonia control, concentrations above 25 ppm can cause respiratory irritation, while levels above 50 ppm increase risks of diseases like pneumonia and bovine respiratory disease (BRD). These conditions elevate stress and mortality, with winter losses in poorly managed barns ranging from 5-8%. Effective bedding is critical to mitigating it and protecting animal health.

Why Straw Struggles with Ammonia

Straw, a traditional bedding choice, is widely used for its affordability but falls short in sickness control:

• Low Absorbency: Straw absorbs only 1.5-2.5 times its weight in moisture, allowing urine to pool and release it.

• Compaction: Straw flattens under weight, trapping wet waste and accelerating ammonia production.

• Pathogen Growth: Damp straw fosters bacteria like E. coli, which thrive in moist conditions and contribute to its buildup.

• Poor Odor Control: Straw lacks natural compounds to neutralize ammonia, leading to persistent odors.

These weaknesses exacerbate sickness levels, contributing to higher mortality rates (5-8%) in straw-bedded barns due to respiratory and stress-related illnesses.

How Wood Shavings Reduce Ammonia

Wood shavings, particularly from softwoods like pine, are highly effective at controlling it through several mechanisms:

• High Absorbency: Shavings absorb 4-6 times their weight in moisture, quickly wicking away urine to reduce the liquid available for ammonia-producing bacteria.

• Natural Compounds: Pine shavings contain phenolic compounds and resins that naturally neutralize ammonia, binding nitrogen to reduce gaseous emissions.

• Dry Environment: By keeping bedding dry, shavings inhibit bacterial activity, cutting its production at the source.

• Low Dust: Kiln-dried shavings minimize respiratory irritants, complementing ammonia control by maintaining clean air.

• Layered Structure: The fluffy texture of shavings promotes air circulation within bedding, reducing trapped moisture and its buildup.

Research supports these benefits, with studies showing wood shavings can reduce ammonia concentrations by 50-70% compared to straw, lowering barn levels to below 20 ppm. This reduces mortality rates to 1-3%, a 4-5% improvement over straw’s 5-8%.

The Science Behind Ammonia Reduction

Ammonia forms when urease enzymes in manure break down urea into gas. Wet conditions accelerate this process, as bacteria thrive in moisture. Wood shavings disrupt this cycle by:

• Absorbing Moisture: Their high absorbency (up to 600% of weight) removes urine from the surface, starving bacteria of the moisture needed for its production.

• Chemical Neutralization: Pine’s volatile organic compounds, like pinene, chemically bind ammonia, converting it into less harmful compounds.

• pH Regulation: Shavings maintain a neutral pH, slowing urease activity compared to straw, which can become alkaline in wet conditions.

The Brookside Agra article notes that dry, absorbent bedding like shavings is a key strategy for control, significantly improving air quality in closed barns.

Benefits Beyond Control

Wood shavings offer additional advantages:

• Respiratory Health: Low-dust shavings reduce irritation, complementing reduction to prevent diseases like BRD.

• Animal Welfare: Dry, comfortable bedding reduces stress, lowering cortisol levels and boosting immunity.

• Labor Savings: Shavings sift easily, cutting cleaning time by up to 50% compared to straw.

• Insulation: Their air-trapping structure keeps barns warm, supporting animal health in cold weather.

Pairing shavings with wood pellets enhances absorbency in high-traffic areas, further reducing moisture and sickness.

Case Study: The Oakridge Farm

Meet Rachel and Sam Ellis, who run Oakridge Farm, a 100-head dairy goat operation in central Michigan, where winter temperatures drop to -20°F. For years, they used straw bedding, but their closed barn suffered from high ammonia levels, reaching 40-50 ppm. This led to a 6% mortality rate in 2022 (6 goats), primarily from pneumonia, and frequent eye irritation among their herd. Cleaning wet straw was time-consuming, taking 2.5 hours daily, and the barn’s odor deterred visitors.

In 2023, the Ellises switched to kiln-dried pine shavings, layering them over wood pellets for extra absorbency. The results were transformative:

• Ammonia Reduction: Barn sick levels dropped to 15 ppm, a 70% reduction, improving air quality.

• Mortality Decreased: Only 2 goats (2%) were lost, a 4% improvement, due to fewer respiratory issues.

• Health Benefits: Pneumonia cases fell by 60%, and eye irritation nearly vanished.

• Labor Savings: Cleaning time dropped to 1.5 hours daily, a 40% reduction, as shavings were easier to sift.

• Cost Efficiency: Shavings’ absorbency reduced bedding use by 25%, saving $800 over the winter.

Rachel shared, “The shavings made our barn a healthier place. The air is cleaner, the goats are calmer, and we’re not losing animals to winter illnesses. It’s saved us time and money.” The Ellises now use Platts Bedding shavings for their consistent quality and ammonia control.

Practical Tips for Disease Control

To maximize shavings’ ammonia-reducing benefits:

• Deep Bedding: Use 4-6 inches of shavings to ensure ample absorbency.

• Pellet Layering: Add wood pellets under shavings in wet areas to lock in moisture.

• Daily Cleaning: Spot-clean to remove wet bedding and maintain dryness.

• Ventilation: Open vents on milder days to disperse residual ammonia while preserving warmth.

• Dry Storage: Store shavings in a covered area to prevent mold or moisture absorption.

Choosing Quality Shavings

Select kiln-dried shavings from pine or other softwoods, ensuring low dust and high absorbency. Avoid treated or coarse shavings that may reduce effectiveness. Premium shavings, like those from Platts Bedding, are processed for optimal moisture control and ammonia neutralization, ensuring a healthier winter barn.

A Healthier Winter Barn

Wood shavings are a powerful tool for reducing disease levels in closed winter barns, dropping concentrations by 50-70% and mortality rates from 5-8% to 1-3%, as seen at Oakridge Farm. By creating a dry, clean, and comfortable environment, they enhance animal welfare, reduce disease, and save labor. Switch to quality wood shavings this winter to transform your barn into a healthier, more sustainable space for your livestock.

Read more: https://vietnambestwood.com/general/winter-heating-wood-shavings-agroviet/