Bedding

[Brad]

Hi people

I am just wondering if anyone out there is using megazorb or aubiose as a base in their hutches ? They seem like a better alternative to wood shavings but I do not know anyone that uses or used them at the moment to ask.
I use wood shavings as a base then hay on top which gives them extra warm and hay throughout to always keep their digestion in good shape.
So I was thinking to maybe change to one of these instead as the base to minimise uri even though the shavings are dust extracted there is always still some dust, Any thoughts or suggestions ?

 

[7squeakers.]

I have never used Megazorb as a bedding, as such. I did use it for a while in my litter trays, though.
Not for long as it would get kicked everywhere, plus my long-haireds kept leaving trails of it across the floor. Never noticed much, if any, dust from it though.

 

[Guineapigfeet]

I use Aubious in my guineapig shed. It does get kicked around and it's all over my patio! But it is absorbent. It's not really dusty at all but I do cough a couple of times each time I do a full clean out and I would always let it settle before putting the pigs back in. It does stick to veg and I image it could get caught in long fur? My pigs don't mind eating veg with bits on them fortunately!

 

[eileen]

hi ,i use megasorb in the bedroom area of my hutches,and littertrays ,use aubiose throughout rest of hutch.ive seven feet hutches,aubiose isvery absorbant and i find it lasts longer than aubiose.i put hay in the bedroom area for them to snuggle into.i put hides on top of litter trays with megsorb.its best to try what ever you wish to trial,and see what suits you and your piggies best.thatswhat i have done.good luck.x

 

[Brad]

I use Aubious in my guineapig shed. It does get kicked around and it's all over my patio! But it is absorbent. It's not really dusty at all but I do cough a couple of times each time I do a full clean out and I would always let it settle before putting the pigs back in. It does stick to veg and I image it could get caught in long fur? My pigs don't mind eating veg with bits on them fortunately!

Thank you for that, how does it compare to using sawdust as a base liner if you have used sawdust before that is? What's the pricing like ? Where do you get the supply from

 

[Brad]

hi ,i use megasorb in the bedroom area of my hutches,and littertrays ,use aubiose throughout rest of hutch.ive seven feet hutches,aubiose isvery absorbant and i find it lasts longer than aubiose.i put hay in the bedroom area for them to snuggle into.i put hides on top of litter trays with megsorb.its best to try what ever you wish to trial,and see what suits you and your piggies best.thatswhat i have done.good luck.x

Hi Eileen

So is megazorb more for litter trays and bed areas would you say and aubiose a product that gives them that cushion under their feet throughout the try of the hutch? I have just bought a double 6 ft hutch which is sooo big, I split it into 2 hutches. I don't really use litter trays although I have thought about getting some.

 

[eileen]

I find woodshavings become a soggy mess,but i have a friend that uses the megasorb as a base layer in the heavily wee areas,with woodshavings/flakes on top.can get most from horse feed places,online,or ive seen jollys stock bib bags of woodflakes,hemp and megasorb.just be aware if getting on line .delivery charges can be hefty in price/due to weight of item.

 

[Veggies Galore]

If you can find a local equine supplier - or pet supplies that is willing to stock Aubiose, you're on to a good thing. I use it in hay trays and use fleece in the rest of the hutch.

 

[eileen]

i have found megasorb very soft and expensive for use on large areas.hence use aubiose throughout hutch,goes much further for your money.it is not as soft as megasorg,but i have not found any prollems with it,you could put a layer of hay on top ,or woodflakes on top if you think its too rough.you will need to change the hay daily as can get damp as it does not absrb moisture.i would suggest you get a farm bale of hay if you are able to,for you may use alot if used as bedding.

 

[Brad]

I find woodshavings become a soggy mess,but i have a friend that uses the megasorb as a base layer in the heavily wee areas,with woodshavings/flakes on top.can get most from horse feed places,online,or ive seen jollys stock bib bags of woodflakes,hemp and megasorb.just be aware if getting on line .delivery charges can be hefty in price/due to weight of item.

Thank you Eileen, I have seen aubiose for £19.99 for 20kg and free delivery on eBay, I use sawdust from jollys which hasn't yet gone soggy, I use the fragrant powder under the sawdust to try and absorb the pee and minimise any smell.

 

[Brad]

If you can find a local equine supplier - or pet supplies that is willing to stock Aubiose, you're on to a good thing. I use it in hay trays and use fleece in the rest of the hutch.

Thanks, I will have a looks see at my local jollys which is only a ten minute walk from me

 

[eileen]

where ive sourced megasorb it is 6 pounds and 70 pence for thirty litres,aubiose, 10.50 pounds ,woodshavings/bale approx 7 pounds a bale.i think it is very much down to individual choice as to what suits you best.i use fleece in some parts of hutch in summer,as piggies go on lawn,shake it andbrush it daily,when its warm its easier to clean and dries quckly.hope that helps.

 

[Veggies Galore]

Thank you Eileen, I have seen aubiose for £19.99 for 20kg and free delivery on eBay, I use sawdust from jollys which hasn't yet gone soggy, I use the fragrant powder under the sawdust to try and absorb the pee and minimise any smell.

I can get a 20kg bale of Aubiose for just under £12 from my local pet supplies. The company on ebay is including delivery in the price .

 

[eileen]

Brad i think that is good if you find that works for you.ive seen 15 kg bags in jolleys,that is what aubiose is.are you able to get someone with a car to go with you?

 

[Guineapigfeet]

I get my aubious from my local equine supplier for £8.60 per 20kg bale. I have a 24 sq foot shed and bought two bales when I first set up. 2 months later I'm still using the second bale! I do quick cleans of the heaviest use bed areas every couple of days and a full clean each week where I turn all the bedding in the shed and remove the soiled patches and remove everything from the back quarter/third of the shed (their den area)

I have never used wood chips in such a large area and only briefly when I was a child for hutches - my pigs kept getting mites so we changed to chopped straw.

 

[Brad]

i have found megasorb very soft and expensive for use on large areas.hence use aubiose throughout hutch,goes much further for your money.it is not as soft as megasorg,but i have not found any prollems with it,you could put a layer of hay on top ,or woodflakes on top if you think its too rough.you will need to change the hay daily as can get damp as it does not absrb moisture.i would suggest you get a farm bale of hay if you are able to,for you may use alot if used as bedding.

My mother actually said that I should check with a local farm for hay as I do go through a lot over a month but I am always concerned with it having bugs in it like lice and other creatures trying to get into it, plus the dust factor as the bags I buy are dust extracted and hygienic.

 

[Brad]

Brad i think that is good if you find that works for you.ive seen 15 kg bags in jolleys,that is what aubiose is.are you able to get someone with a car to go with you?

I can actually walk ten minutes to jollys and carry it back

 

[Brad]

I get my aubious from my local equine supplier for £8.60 per 20kg bale. I have a 24 sq foot shed and bought two bales when I first set up. 2 months later I'm still using the second bale! I do quick cleans of the heaviest use bed areas every couple of days and a full clean each week where I turn all the bedding in the shed and remove the soiled patches and remove everything from the back quarter/third of the shed (their den area)

I have never used wood chips in such a large area and only briefly when I was a child for hutches - my pigs kept getting mites so we changed to chopped straw.

Sounds like a really good price for aubiose compared to online.
The only time I had to de lice my guys is when I first got them all they have been perfect ever since, I do wash them once a month roughly with lice and mite shampoo and normal shampoo on analternate basis

 

[Swissgreys]

I can actually walk ten minutes to jollys and carry it back

We are also big fans of Aubious here.
And if you are going to walk to collect a big bale you might want to think about getting one of those wheeled carts with a shopping bag attached. I got one with a removable shopping bag, and am always using a couple of bungee cords to attach large and heavy items to the trolley and pulling them along that way.
My kids call it my 'old lady trolley', but I love it (plus it saves my back!).

 

[Critter]

I've never used Aubious though I know it comes highly recommended from plenty of people here. I personally cannot comment on how good it is, just that it is popular on here.
Megazorb however is something I have used. I started off using Carefresh, which is very good, but very expensive. Megazorb seemed like a good cheaper alternative, though the bits are really small. The first bag I had was quite good. The second batch was really dusty, and I mean REALLY dusty. In the end I didn't dare use it up and ended up throwing a fair bit away, which I didn't like doing! I have heard other people say they've had dusty bags too, so perhaps it's a bit hit-and-miss.
Personally I prefer Fitch, it's paper based but far from disintegrating it does a great job of absorbing wee. You can buy 20kg for £22 from Amazon, but I cannot tell you if it's better than Aubious or not

 

[breakfast]

I use megazorb as a base layer and in the litter tray, with easibed on top in the main cage area. The easibed is very similar to wood chips and wee drains straight through on to the megazorb so the cage stays dry all week for their little feet.
I get both from my local farm shop and pay about £11 for the two together, though I get through probably two bags of megazorb in the time the huge compacted easibed is used up.

I spent so long researching on here before I got my pigs, it all became a blur of information, and different things work for different people so trial and error is the best way!