As a livestock owner, you know that the smallest details can have a significant influence on the lives of farm animals. Take moisture, for example—a wet barn floor can leave horses with everything from skin and respiratory infections to accidents. Luckily, wood shavings and other helpful tools can help you avoid these consequences. Use the following tips to make your barn a safer space.

3 Tips for Drying Out a Muggy Barn

1. Drapes

If it’s been raining frequently, or if the weather has been incredibly humid, the moisture could be making its way into your barn through the stall doors and windows. Unfortunately, sometimes these need to stay open so that animals can return to shelter as soon as the weather gets bad. Plastic stall drapes are an excellent solution, as they’re flexible enough to allow livestock to reenter the barn with ease while keeping rain and humidity out.

2. Wood Shavings

If you’ve ever been advised against installing hardwood in bathrooms or kitchens, that’s because the material absorbs water. While this may not be desirable for flooring, it’s what makes quality wood shavings so helpful for livestock owners. Simply sprinkle an inch of wood shavings or sawdust around your barn to soak up the humidity—and up to a foot in paddocks and around feeding troughs. This will prevent the creation of mud, which can become a breeding ground for bacteria where your animals rest, eat, and exercise.

3. Stall Mats

If the moisture seems to be concentrated in the stalls, it may be a natural side effect of cold concrete or clay subfloors. Luckily, you can prevent the moisture from soaking into your animals’ bedding by laying interlocking mats directly on top of the floor. This allows for a seamless barrier so condensation can’t sneak up through the cracks. These will also make the stalls more comfortable and softer on their joints.

If you’re looking for quality wood shavings to soak up the moisture in your barn, turn to GI Shavings of Hallandale, FL. They know just how muggy the weather can be in the tri-county area, which is why they provide a wide range of dry wood shavings and quality sawdust for livestock owners. In fact, they can produce up to 2,400 bags of shavings in a day. To learn more about their trusted inventory, visit the website or call (754) 300-4684 to speak with a team member.