The Use of Kenaf as Bedding

for Horses and Laboratory Animals

Roy Watkins

Two separate studies were conducted at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine to determine the potential use of kenaf as animal bedding.

For a 2­week period, two horse stalls were bedded using kenaf. Daily observations were made from the time the stalls were chosen. General observations concluded that absorption was excellent. The kenaf produced less dust than softwood shavings produced. For this reason, kenaf was determined to make an excellent large animal bedding.

The second trial involved using kenaf that had been hammermilled to approximately 3/8­inch cubes to be used as a bedding for rodents. In conjunction with this trial, a sample of kenaf was sent to the State Chemical Laboratory for analysis. No residual chemicals were found in this sample.

The laboratory animal trials were done in two stages. First, one group consisting of six animals was bedded on kenaf. The animals were observed for 2 weeks for any adverse reactions. The animals did not seem to consume any significant amount of the bedding, which was a concern because of the protein content of kenaf. After this, approximately 40 cages of mice and rats were housed on kenaf bedding for a total of one month. As with the horse bedding, dust was low and absorption high.

Overall, according to the trials we have conducted, kenaf is a high­performance animal bedding material. Further testing would determine ammonia levels within the cage. Based on the findings, cage changes could be done less frequently leading to substantial savings. If the ammonia studies prove that cage changes can be done half as often, a large potential market would exist for laboratory animal bedding.

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Roy Watkins is Manager of Laboratory Animal Resources Animal Care, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University.