How to Set Up the Ideal Pen for Large Animals Using Hemp Bedding
Creating the right pen or enclosure for large animals is essential for comfort, cleanliness, and overall animal health. Whether you’re caring for cattle, horses, sheep, goats, or other livestock, the right bedding makes all the difference.
Wyoming Hemp Company Hemp Bedding is a natural, high-performance solution designed to improve animal comfort while reducing labor and waste. Below, we’ll walk you through how to set up the ideal pen for large animals and show you how to get the most value from your hemp bedding.
Why Choose Hemp Bedding for Large Livestock?
Wyoming Hemp Company Hemp Bedding is suitable for many types of livestock and housing environments, including barns, stalls, pens, trailers, and show setups.
Key benefits of hemp bedding include:
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Absorbs up to 4x its weight in moisture
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Naturally reduces ammonia odors
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Easy to clean and maintain
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Hypoallergenic and low-dust
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Longer-lasting than traditional straw or wood shavings
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Fully compostable and environmentally friendly
Because of its versatility and durability, hemp bedding is an excellent choice wherever your livestock spend time.
Step 1: Start With a Clean Enclosure
Before adding new bedding, completely clean out the pen or stall. Remove old bedding, manure, and debris to give yourself a fresh base. This helps the hemp bedding perform at its best from day one.
Step 2: Apply the Right Depth of Bedding
Spread Wyoming Hemp Company Hemp Bedding evenly throughout the enclosure.
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Minimum recommended depth: 3 inches
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For added comfort or higher traffic areas: bed deeper as needed
A proper base layer provides cushioning, moisture control, and insulation for large animals.
Step 3: Decide Whether to Pack or Fluff the Bedding
Packed Bedding (Best for Tied or Stationary Livestock)
For animals that will be tied in place or standing for long periods, packing the bedding can improve longevity and structure.
How to pack hemp bedding:
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Level the bedding evenly
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Use a roller compactor (or whatever you normally use) to pack it down
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Lightly spray with water
This method helps lock the bedding in place, reduces movement, and extends its lifespan.
Fluffed Bedding (Best for Maximum Comfort)
If packing isn’t your preference, simply level the bedding and leave it fluffed. This creates a softer, more cushioned surface that many animals enjoy, especially in resting areas.
Step 4: Maintain Bedding With Spot Cleaning
To keep your pen fresh and extend the life of your bedding:
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Spot clean manure as needed. Some of our customers spot clean daily; others tell us they spot or every other day or every few days
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Remove only soiled areas instead of full clean-outs
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Top dress with fresh hemp bedding as needed
Good to Know: This approach keeps ammonia levels low, improves air quality in your barn, and reduces overall bedding costs.
How Long Does Hemp Bedding Last?
One of the biggest advantages of hemp bedding is its durability.
Depending on animal traffic and usage:
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Full clean-outs are typically needed every 2 to 6 weeks
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Hemp bedding lasts significantly longer than straw or wood shavings
Less frequent clean-outs mean less labor, less waste, and more savings.
Composting Hemp Bedding
Used hemp bedding is fully compostable and can be reused as a soil amendment.
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Ideal for fields, pastures, and gardens
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Breaks down naturally and returns nutrients to the soil
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A sustainable choice for farms and ranches focused on regeneration
Upgrade Your Livestock Pens With Wyoming Hemp Company Hemp Bedding
Setting up the ideal pen starts from the ground up. With superior absorbency, odor control, and longevity, Wyoming Hemp Company Hemp Bedding helps create cleaner, healthier spaces for your animals—while saving time and money.
