Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main end-uses for wood shavings and the softwood industry’s by-products?
The main by-product of the softwood lumber industry’s finishing of wood is “sawdust” mixed with “shavings”. As left by the lumber-mill, these shavings are extremely dusty, dirty, and filled with debris (bulk shavings providers often ship unscreened product direct from the lumber-mill). However, all Champion Shavings product is 100% screened after leaving the mill. Before we package our heat-sealed, plastic bags we separate the finer, fluffier, and coarser pieces of shavings according to our strict specifications. The shavings can then be used by numerous sectors of animal industry, such as:
- Equine farms
- Poultry farms
- Dairy farms
- Small animal pet market (gerbils, hamsters, reptiles, etc.)
- Pig farms
Should equine shavings be kiln-dried?
It is a matter of choice. Clearly, one of the advantages of kiln-drying the shavings is that the resulting chips are not only very dry and highly absorbent, but they also keep the bag from “sweating” (moisture that can develop in the bag after packaging). However, the drier the wood, the smaller the flakes tend to be. Champion Shavings has strict specifications for all flake sizes and moisture content.
Are blown-in or dumped shavings a quality product like bagged shavings?
We believe that the process of using a dust-screening, bagging line goes a great distance in removing extraneous and harmful dust particles. If you choose to use un-bagged (bulk) shavings, you must be prepared to accept dust (a known carcinogen) and possibly debris (which may be uncomfortable for your horses or other animals in stalls).
Which is better: paper or plastic bags?
The advantage of plastic is that the bag is weatherproof. Our water-repelling plastic cannot be affected by rain or snow. Another advantage to plastic is that we “heat-seal” the bag closed. Paper bags must be glued or stapled closed which is a potential danger to your horse if the staple is lost in the stall. Plastic bags are also much stronger then paper, and do not tear as easily. If you drop a paper bag onto the floor it will easily break. However, our durable plastic bags allow for rough handling multiple times before consumption in your horse stalls.
Champion Shavings recommends that you use plastic bags. Our plastic bags are 100% recyclable*.
*Recycling programs vary by State/Province. Please inquire with your local recycling center.
Why are some shavings bags heavier than others?
This has to do with the amount of sawdust in the bag, plus small pieces, as well as large pieces AND the thickness and size of the actual shavings pieces. One bag may contain more dust. It will be heavier than one which has no dust. One bag may be fluffier and have thinner pieces. It will be lighter than the one that has smaller and thicker pieces. Moisture content is also an important factor. A bag of shavings that are not kiln-dried can weigh up to 30% more than a bag that contains dry shavings. Don’t be fooled by a competitor telling you there is more shavings in a heavy bag. Shavings should only be measured by expanded volume. If you would like information concerning the compressed and expanded volume of shavings visit this page for more details: The Weight and Measure Act.
Canada : Measurement Canada
What’s the difference between volume and weight?
Do not be confused between these two measures of weight when it comes to bagged shavings. Weight is the force exerted by an object pulled by gravity while volume is a space measurement. One can never guess the actual weight of a bag by looking at the volume. And, every bag of the same volume will, most likely, have different weights. Why? Because fluffy shavings with no sawdust will be extremely light compared to a bag of pure sawdust. It has to do with the density of the contents.
Weight can, however, be affected by moisture. For example: one may have a 3.4 cubic foot (compressed) bag of pure, yet wet, dustless shavings which would equal the weight of a 2.8 cubic foot bag of pure, dry bag of sawdust.
Particle size and moisture – they are the great tricksters in the shavings business! Don’t be fooled. Ask for the best when ordering shavings: extremely dry, dustless, fluffy shavings packed in a heat-sealed, plastic bag.
How do residual moisture levels in the bag effect dust levels?
It is important to note that dust, even if dust was screened at the time of bagging, is constantly produced while the bag is in storage and in transit due to the friction of movement. This means that even the highest quality of shavings can ‘self-produce’ dust. However, if the contents are both air and kiln-dried then dust levels are held to a minimum.
If green shavings (non-kiln dried) are in the bag, then, dust is automatically held in check due to the elevated moisture content.
Why are there different sized shavings bags?
The bagging machines are designed to bag one size. They bring about a compression ratio of somewhere between 2:1 to 3:1, depending on the condition and age of the machine. This means, for example, that a bag with 3.25 cubic feet compressed started with between 8 and 10 cubic feet uncompressed. Similarly, a 2.8 cubic foot bag starts with between 6.5 and 7.5 cubic feet, and so on.
What should I always for in a quality shaving?
- Equine-quality shavings only.
- Dust-extracted.
- Dry below 16% moisture.
- Plastic bagged.
- A blend of big through small pieces (medium).
- Light, coarse and fluffy pieces.
- No splinters, wood chunks, or stones (debris).
