Alternative (equine?) beddings?

[ghostbusterbunny]

I was wondering if anyone here knew of an equine bedding that would be suitable for piggies other than shavings or megazorb. I currently use shavings for the majority of my piggies and they have no problems with it... It's me that does! I've noticed that I'm getting quite dry skin handling as much of the shavings as I now have to with all the extra cleaning out and hutches that need shavings.

I'm moving most of my herd into my new shed in a couple of weeks and I need something that comes in packs as big as an equine shavings bale and will last as long (preferably something that costs about the same as shavings too). Megazorb is too pricey for me as one bag only does two cleanouts; a shavings bale does at least 10 usually.

Any suggestions? I may stick to shavings if they're going to be the most economical choice, but it can't hurt to see what alternatives are out there!

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

hiyah, if you dont mind me asking how much did you get megazorb for? the only reason i ask is that i used to get it from a pet shop for over nine pound, but then i started going to a horse supply shop and its only six pound fifty.

 

[NatalieMT]

My Megazorb is about £7 per bag and I put puppy pads underneath it to protect the hutch wood, soak up any piggy leaks and because it means I can use a thinner layer of Megazorb. The puppy pads are between 10 and 20 pence each depending on where I buy them.

Other alternatives are Equiflax, Medibed or perhaps Aubiouse. You might also consider fleece or Vetbed, although I know for me putting Vetbed through a washing machine was something I didn't want to be doing!

 

[ghostbusterbunny]

hiyah, if you dont mind me asking how much did you get megazorb for? the only reason i ask is that i used to get it from a pet shop for over nine pound, but then i started going to a horse supply shop and its only six pound fifty.

£7.50 from a farm shop I think it is. But when it only does two full cleanouts it's quite pricey when I consider that the big bale of shavings is £6.50 and lasts sooo much longer! I only use Megazorb for my hairy boys now to keep it longer.

I can't use fleecy things or vetbed because my mum's allergic to them so I wouldn't be able to use our washer (duvet cover or not! ). Definitely need something a similar class to the shavings!

If it helps, I have two 12sq ft hutches, two 10sq ft, one 8sq ft (which will disappear once the shed's up) and will soon have a big 10x6 shed to cover; so I definitely need a LOT of bedding!

 

[SweetsPig11]

You could try (and really this was just a random thought) A layer of newspapers and then some cheap hay? I honestly have no clue though and was just putting in my thought of the day.

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

you could also try asking places if they would consider selling you it cheaper if you buy in bulk? That is if you have somewhere to store it?

Just a thought x

 

[daftscotslass]

You could try (and really this was just a random thought) A layer of newspapers and then some cheap hay? I honestly have no clue though and was just putting in my thought of the day.

This. My nearest rescue does this and although it doesn't last as long as other types of bedding, it's economical (can buy from farmers) and much healthier for the guinea pigs than shavings.

 

[HairlessWillow7]

You could try (and really this was just a random thought) A layer of newspapers and then some cheap hay? I honestly have no clue though and was just putting in my thought of the day.

I used to use that with all my piggies. It was easy, cheap and I would compost it every few days. Now I use fleece with my sows. I tried that with the boars but they would go under it and wee on the plastic base, so they still use hay and newspaper.

 

[ghostbusterbunny]

The problem with hay and newspaper is that for my lot I'd need LOTS and it would need changing daily in most of the homes. I'll have 19 (maybe 20) guinea pigs to bed so I need a bedding that'll last a bit longer than hay and newspaper. Also when I'm at uni my dad will be looking after them and I don't think he'll want to clean them out every day or two to keep them clean...

I do like the auboise/hemp beddings though. Shall ask the farm shop about them and see how much they can get them for.

I/we have used shavings for 20 years now and our piggies have never had a problem with it... I appreciate that it's not the most loved bedding but it's worked for us so far. I am concerned that it might not be the best in a shed setting (if there is dust in it it won't get blown away like it does in the hutches where the air flow is better) but for hutches I've never had a problem with it.

 

[Doeylicious]

Have you looked to see if you can get shredded newspaper up your way?

I switched mine onto this about a year ago and I love it, it's more absorbant than shavings, comes in the same size bales, and slightly less expensive (a large bale of compressed shavings is £8 at the mo down here, my paper is £6.90).

I would go to a few shops to actually see it first as you get some that's like shredded white paper, which is pants, and some which is like paper discs, again pants. You want proper shredded newspaper stuff, thick or thin doesn't matter so much, I can take you a photo of both an unpacked bale and what mine is like when opened if you like.

Do you buy your hay by the bale too? So much cheaper than packed stuff, I just got a bale of this years cut and it smells gorgeous, having to feed in moderation though as it is still quite rich!

 

[ghostbusterbunny]

Have you looked to see if you can get shredded newspaper up your way?

I switched mine onto this about a year ago and I love it, it's more absorbant than shavings, comes in the same size bales, and slightly less expensive (a large bale of compressed shavings is £8 at the mo down here, my paper is £6.90).

I would go to a few shops to actually see it first as you get some that's like shredded white paper, which is pants, and some which is like paper discs, again pants. You want proper shredded newspaper stuff, thick or thin doesn't matter so much, I can take you a photo of both an unpacked bale and what mine is like when opened if you like.

Do you buy your hay by the bale too? So much cheaper than packed stuff, I just got a bale of this years cut and it smells gorgeous, having to feed in moderation though as it is still quite rich!

Hm, I've never seen it here, no! Is it a certain brand? If so, the farm shop may well be able to order it for me. How long does a bale last? Is it like long and stringy or in smaller bits that scatter like shavings? Sorry for all the questions!

We do get hay by the bale . It's not the best for eating at the moment, so we're using it as bedding/play stuff. Need to do a hayforpets order when I get home for some lovely eating hay for them! They are happily munching away through this bale though.

We will use hay and something(?) in winter to cover the whole floor to keep some heat in, but I'm not totally happy with the idea of using it permanently with paper - my ladies produce a lot of wee and a lot of poop and it'll need cleaning far too regularly when I'm not here.

 

[Splat n Dexter]

I use Allbed:
http://www.allbed.ie/

Dust free, safe for piggies. My first sow had an allergy to the shavings her previous owner bedded her in, no more sneezing/coughing once bedding was changed. She also had red sore feet which we haven't had any bother with since apart from one time we ran out of Allbed and didn't get to the farm shop on time, so bought some PAH dust free shavings: lesson learned! mallethead

I think it's round £7 a bale and lasts ages.

 

[ghostbusterbunny]

I use Allbed:
http://www.allbed.ie/

Dust free, safe for piggies. My first sow had an allergy to the shavings her previous owner bedded her in, no more sneezing/coughing once bedding was changed. She also had red sore feet which we haven't had any bother with since apart from one time we ran out of Allbed and didn't get to the farm shop on time, so bought some PAH dust free shavings: lesson learned! mallethead

I think it's round £7 a bale and lasts ages.

Oooh I've just looked this up and my local farm shop is listed as a stockist. Do you reckon it'll last as long as shavings? It does look very tempting if we can get hold of it cheaper than the shavings.

I like the look of this one!

Also (more questions!) does anyone know what hemcore/aubiose is like? I've read that hemcore has citronella in it - is that harmful to piggies?

Thanks guys, these suggestions so far are great!

 

[Splat n Dexter]

Oooh I've just looked this up and my local farm shop is listed as a stockist. Do you reckon it'll last as long as shavings? It does look very tempting if we can get hold of it cheaper than the shavings.

I like the look of this one!

Also (more questions!) does anyone know what hemcore/aubiose is like? I've read that hemcore has citronella in it - is that harmful to piggies?

Thanks guys, these suggestions so far are great!

I found that the Allbed lasts longer than the shavings. It's easier to pick the poops out of, so once that's done - all the dry clean bedding can be saved to put back into the cage once it's cleaned out. I tend to put that around the sides where they pee etc and the fresh stuff out of the bag in the middle where they tend to keep clean. I alsp put a few layers of newspaper underneath as well making cleaning easier.

It would be worth your while buying one bale to give it a go and see what you think of it, same with other beddings, experiment and see what your piggies like best, is easiest to clean and suits the budget!

I've no idea on the citronella thing, hopefull someone else can answer the question for you.