How to
Use Miscanthus

Find out how to use Miscanthus Bedding for horses, poultry, sheep, and small pets.

Endlessly Versatile Animal Bedding

In addition to its many other benefits, miscanthus is an excellent bedding choice for various animals and birds, such as horses, poultry, lambs, dogs, and small pets. It also makes excellent compost.

How to Use Miscanthus for Horses

Miscanthus is suitable for all stables, including those with rubber matting. It is very easy to use – simply lay a deep bed of around 3-4″ over the stable floor. Miscanthus Horse Bedding performs really well as a deep litter system, and it can be maintained with daily spot cleaning and weekly top-ups.

If you are making the switch from a different type of bedding, you will be pleasantly surprised to discover that your weekly top-ups will be smaller than previously. This is due to the superior absorbency of miscanthus and the fact that horses don’t it eat because it is unpalatable - unlike some alternatives, such as straw.

After 6-8 weeks, replace the entire bed...

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How to Use Miscanthus for Poultry

As with horses and ponies, a deep litter miscanthus system works extremely well for hens and smaller birds, which enjoy foraging and scratching through it. All you need to do is spread 2-3″ of Miscanthus Poultry Bedding evenly across the coop floor or in the hens’ nesting boxes. As these beds don’t normally get too wet, they will last a very long time, saving you both time and money in the long run.

For larger birds, such as turkeys, ducks, and geese, rake through any crust that forms on top of the bedding and thoroughly mix it with the dry miscanthus underneath. For day-old chicks and ducklings, use just enough miscanthus to cover their...

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How to Use Miscanthus in Other Applications

While the two most popular miscanthus uses are as Equine Bedding and Poultry Bedding, it is suitable for use in many more applications. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the most common ones.

Bed down around 2-3″ of miscanthus, as you would normally. There is no need to replace the bedding between ewes with their lambs or use lime. Just top up, and you’re good to go again.

Spread a thin layer of miscanthus, and enjoy not having to wear a mask or use anything else to bed down, apart from miscanthus itself. In case you were wondering, ‘do you need to wear a mask to use miscanthus’, you now have your answer.

Use 1-2″ to make a comfortable bed for your dogs. As Miscanthus Dog Bedding doesn’t normally get soiled, it will last for months. You will only need to replace it once it starts getting clogged with mud dust.

Miscanthus makes excellent Small Pet Bedding, and it is particularly popular as Hamster Bedding. Simply spread a 2-3″ layer of miscanthus across your pet’s living area. Because it is soft, miscanthus is gentle on delicate paws, making it ideal for burrowing or nesting. During maintenance, you will only need to remove the soiled patches and top up when necessary.

Put a thin layer across the entire floor to absorb all liquids, and say goodbye to annoying spills when you are travelling. Make a deeper bed for younger animals on longer journeys to keep them warm and help regulate their body temperature.

When not mixed with other types of Animal Bedding, miscanthus (plus ammonia) will make a rich compost in just 6-8 weeks. This compost is great to spread on farming fields as, unlike wood-based shavings and sawdust, miscanthus doesn’t strip the soil of nitrogen, keeping it rich and fertile. Likewise, miscanthus doesn’t contain any seeds, so no unwanted plants will germinate in your fields, gardens, or allotments.

Smart & Versatile Miscanthus Bedding

Whether you are keeping a large number of horses, chickens, sheep, or cows, or you have a single hamster, Guinea pig, or rabbit named Bob, miscanthus makes excellent bedding. It is also better for the animals - and better for you.

Now that you know how to use miscanthus as Animal Bedding, you are well prepared to make the switch.