COMPARISON OF THE ABSORPTIVE CAPACITY OF SHAVINGS OF WESTERN JUNIPER, WESTERN REDCEDAR, AND DOUGLAS-FIR FOR ANIMAL BEDDING

The absorptive capacity and moisture release rate for shavings of two species commonly used for animal bedding, western redcedar (Thuja plicata) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were compared with western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), a species not commonly used for bedding. Comparisons are made for four particle size classes for each species. In general, moisture absorption increased as particle size decreased. On the basis of weight of urine absorbed per weight of shavings material, western redcedar shavings absorbed significantly more urine than the other two species for all particle sizes. On the basis of volume of urine absorbed per volume of shavings material, mixed particle sizes of western juniper absorbed significantly more moisture than the other two species. Rate of moisture release was fastest for Douglas-fir shavings and slowest for western redcedar shavings.