Barn Dirt Floor prep and maintenance

[Bifrost]

We're finally getting the goats out of the building that was here when we moved with cement floor to a barn with dirt floor. I'd like some ideas on the best way to prep the floor for them and to maintain after. I've heard putting down lime, then wood chips and then straw and many variations thereof.

How do you take care of your dirt floors? thanks.

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Bifrost Farms, Boyceville WI
A wholistic dog boarding kennel, beginning farmstead
micro-dairy, and Great Dane rescue

 

[goatboy1973]

We use the lime and then cedar shavings and then wheat straw. Using fresh wood chips can cause a proliferation of Klebsiella Pneumoniae which can infect the lungs of your goats. I always wear a dust mask or a HEPA mask when cleaning soiled bedding material so I don't get any type of funk in my lungs. I personally though have never had or known anyone who has ever had this bacteria affect their goats. A vet told me that as long as I use cedar shavings or commercially produced (kiln dried) sawdust that this will eliminate the risk of my goats contracting this disease along with frequent cleaning out of the soiled material and placement of new bedding material. We take this soiled bedding material and goat/ llama poop and pile it up near our garden and compost it until the next season and put it on our garden and till it into the soil. Man we have some huge tomatoes and tall corn and bumper crop of green beans. LOL!!!

 

[goatboy1973]

...Also, another good reason to clean stalls and other housing areas very regularly is the breakdown of animal waste and soiled bedding material creates a very strong byproduct, ammonia, which is an irritant to the lungs and other mucous membranes as well as skin and hooves.