Bedding Calculator

Stall Sizes

Horse stall bedding is calculated by the floor area and the bedding depth. Multiply stall length by width by the depth in feet for cubic feet. A standard 12 x 12 ft stall at 6 inches deep needs 72 cubic feet of shavings. Stalls with rubber mats need 6 to 8 inches of bedding from wall to wall, while bare-floor stalls need more for cushioning. The calculator returns cubic feet, shaving bags, and compressed bales. A standard shaving bag holds about 3 cubic feet expanded, so a 72 cubic foot stall needs about 24 bags for the initial fill, then a few bags per week for replacement.

Depth

Bedding depth depends on the animal and the flooring. Horse stalls on rubber mats need 6 inches of shavings, and bare-floor stalls need 8 inches for cushioning. Pellet bedding is used thinner at 4 to 5 inches because it absorbs more. Chicken coops use 4 to 8 inches, building deeper through the deep litter method. The deep litter method starts at 4 inches in spring and builds to 8 to 12 inches by winter, with the bottom layer composting in place to generate warmth. The calculator covers all these depths so you can size the initial fill for any animal.

How Much Bedding Do I Need

The bedding you need has two parts: the initial fill and the ongoing replacement. The initial fill is the full stall or coop volume at your chosen depth. A 12 x 12 ft stall at 6 inches is 72 cubic feet. The ongoing replacement covers soiled bedding removed during daily mucking. A stabled horse uses 8 to 15 pounds of fresh bedding per day, which is a few bags per week depending on bedding type and stall time. The calculator sizes the initial fill; budget several extra bags per week per animal for the replacement cycle.

What bedding is best for horse stalls?

Kiln-dried pine shavings and compressed pine pellets are the most common horse stall bedding. Shavings cushion well and are easy to muck, but they create more waste volume. Pellets absorb more moisture, break down into a fine bedding when wet, and produce less waste, but they cost more upfront. Avoid black walnut shavings, which are toxic to horses. Choose dust-extracted bedding to protect equine respiratory health.

What is the deep litter method for coops?

The deep litter method builds bedding up over a season instead of full cleanouts. Start with 4 inches of pine shavings or chopped straw in spring. Add a fresh layer whenever the surface looks soiled, building to 8 to 12 inches by winter. The bottom layer composts in place, generating gentle warmth and beneficial microbes. Clean it out fully once a year and start over. This method cuts labor and produces ready compost for the garden.

Bedding Types Compared

Stall and coop bedding comes in several materials, each with tradeoffs. Pine shavings are the most common, cushioning well and easy to muck, but they create more waste volume. Pine pellets absorb more moisture and break down into fine bedding, producing less waste but costing more upfront. Straw is cheap and warm but molds if it gets wet and composts slowly. Hemp bedding is highly absorbent and low-dust but pricey. Sawdust is fine and absorbent but dusty, which can harm equine lungs.

Match the bedding to the animal and your priorities. For horses with respiratory sensitivity, choose dust-extracted shavings or pellets. For chicken coops using the deep litter method, pine shavings or chopped straw compost well in place. Avoid black walnut shavings entirely, since they are toxic to horses. Whatever you choose, keep the bedding dry and muck daily to control ammonia and keep the animals healthy. Budget several bags per week per animal for the ongoing replacement after the initial fill.

FAQ