An animal bedding composition and method of manufacture includes cut or
shredded pieces of multiple panel corrugated cardboard kraft paper
structures having an internal corrugated panel sandwiched between outer
panels, and an adsorptive deodorizing ion exchange agent such as a zeolite
dispersed throughout the cardboard pieces and carried on outer and inner
surfaces of the pieces of cardboard and on outer and inner surfaces of the
corrugations to provide a comfortable, hygienic and deodorized floor
covering for animal stalls. An automated method of manufacturing the
animal bedding composition is also described. The ion exchange agent
attaches to surfaces of the corrugated cardboard which serves as a carrier
to sanitize and deodorize a stall. The open structure of the cut
corrugations provides mechanical load absorption, and a wicking action to
aerate moisture from a stall. The ion exchange agent carried by the
corrugated pieces removes ammonia odor from urine and provides slow
release potassium and, when loaded with ammonium, slow release of nitrogen
for agricultural fertilization. Carbon in the kraft paper from which the
corrugated cardboard is constructed attracts nitrogen from urine, yielding
excellent fertilizing material with rapid biodegradation.