Category: Bedding

Hoof Health: How to spot and treat Hoof Rot and Thrush

On By MeganIn Bedding, First aid, Supplements, UncategorizedLeave a comment
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HOOF ROT IN CATTLE

HOOF ROT

All livestock with hooves are prone to acquiring this bacterial infection, especially during periods of high moisture or humidity. It is a bacterium that spreads due to lack of oxygen and can have damaging effects on the animal’s feet/health. Hoof rot is caused by the softening and thinning of the inter-digital skin by puncture wounds or continuous exposure to wet conditions, which provides an entry point for infectious agents and bacteria.

Preventative Measures:

  • Waiting to introduce new animals into the herd
  • Manure free areas or dry footing
  • Hoof checks/trims when needed

    SHEEP HOOF ROT
    HOOF ROT IN SHEEP

The Signs:

  • Lameness
  • Elevated body temperature
  • Swelling of the foot
  • Separation of the skin
  • Ulcers, abscesses, abrasion, fractures and inflammation
  • Swollen around hoof with red irritated area

The Treatment:

Clean the areas to be certain lameness is actually due to foot rot, and use a topical treatment on the affected area. Consult a vet for severe cases and proper treatment/diagnosis.

For more information click on the links below:

 

Thrushthrush_1

Thrush is an infection of the central and lateral clefts of the frog of a horses hoof. It is often bacterial and occasionally a fungal infection. This can be an easy fix if caught early, but can cause major damage to the animal if not treated.

 

More information on thrush

The Signs:

  • Lameness
  • Soft hoof wall
  • Foul smelling, black discharge in the frog of the hoofthrush_2

Treatment:

  • Clean the hoof regularly.
  • Keep the hoof dry.
  • Apply thrush treatment as recommended by your vet.

Preventative Measures:

  • Clean the hoof regularly
  • Dry footing/bedding and clean housing maintenance
  • Regular farrier visits

 

 

New Look For American Wood Fibers Shavings

On By hbfeedsIn BeddingLeave a comment

You know the shavings you have been getting from us for years from American Wood Fibers.  The kiln dried pine is absorbent, and has that great scent, and adds a touch of class to your stall?

Well the packaging is getting a facelift.  In order to remind folks that wood shavings are recycled from Moulding mills planing lumber for use in construction, they have renamed their line of kiln dried pine shavings “ECO FLAKE”.  It is still collected and screened, and bagged at the lumber mill.  The bales are still compressed to 3 cu. ft, and 4 cu. ft.

What you will notice is different is that the plastic packaging is opaque while plastic.  This will prevent the discoloring of the shavings material if stored outside.  You may also notice the material is slightly finer since the modern equipment at the lumber mills have upgraded their equipment for less waste and smaller particle size.  This is occurring across all shavings manufacturers.

The material from the modern equipment doesn’t recover as well after compression.  What that means to you is that 3.0 cu ft. compressed will expand to AT LEAST 7.5 cu.ft. and that 4.0 cu ft. compressed will expand to at least 11.0 cu ft.

We have received the new packaging in the 3.0 cu ft bales .  It is still 36 bales per pallet, the 4.0 cu. ft bales come on 28 bales per pallet.  We do offer discounts for purchases of pallet quantities.