Fibercore Eco Bedding (instead of Aspen shavings)

[Ursula]

Since the Kaytee aspen shavings became unbearably dusty I was looking for an alternative. I am now using Fibercore's Eco Bedding. These are small paper squiggles. The biggest advantage is that they are almost completely dust free. They are also soft to walk on and don't stick to clothing as the shavings did. I can now enter the aviary in socks and they don't stick. (I never enter it in shoes, only in socks or bare feet because I don't want to carry outside germs in.)

Here is a movie that shows the Eco bedding in my aviary:

http://youtu.be/0IfA0yJ2yJU

[cindy]

Ursula, where did you find it??? Does it come in big bales?

Love your video....the BQuail seem to like it!

[ranchnanny]

Ursula love your bird room/aviary I could spend a few hours in there for sure.
How long have you been using the Eco bedding? How long would it be on the floor before you change it? How does is get if it gets wet? and Does it smell when wet? Sorry for all the questions cause I am always looking the something
better to use in my flight......

[Ursula]

I have used in it half of the aviary for a few weeks now, and filled all of it yesterday. So far I can only say it does settle and compress after a while when you walk on it, but not more than the shavings. When it gets wet it dries fast, but of course right now it's winter and the air is dry anyway. Right now I like it better than the shavings because of the big difference in being almost dust free. That's a big plus for me. I will have to see in summer and higher humidity how it goes.

The downside: It IS a little more pricey. I bought 3 30-pound boxes and each is about $50. The amount that you see in the aviary is about 80 pounds... I really hope that besides cleaning the "heavy traffic" area I will not have to clean it out completely more than twice a year, that's what I did with the aspen shavings.

I contacted Fibercore directly and they were very nice and found me a pet store that was ordering the 30 pound boxes for me. YOu can also order it online (in 30 or 10 pound boxes) but the shipping is very expensive. I am very glad that I can pick it up locally for the same price without shipping cost.

Here is the website: http://www.fibercorellc.com/

[ranchnanny]

Thanks for the info Ursula

[finchmix22]

O.K. I want to live in your bird room. What great sunlight too! You only clean it out twice a year? Is there lots of droppings on the floor underneath or do yo get it on your socks? Curious and interested in other options. I hate the dust factor too.

[ranchnanny]

Ursula you ought to pick up some of those booties they where in the surgery
this way you can toss them when you leave the bird room and you don't dirty your socks.......

[6finchfriends]

Ursula, I am in LOVE with your bird room! I use aspen and it's always sticking to the sleeve of my sweater then it gets all over the house if I don't notice it. Oh, I heard that crushed walnut shells make the best bedding (apparently they absorb liquid very quickly and keep the floor dry) but I can't find any out here.

[finchmix22]

I have used in it half of the aviary for a few weeks now, and filled all of it yesterday. So far I can only say it does settle and compress after a while when you walk on it, but not more than the shavings. When it gets wet it dries fast, but of course right now it's winter and the air is dry anyway. Right now I like it better than the shavings because of the big difference in being almost dust free. That's a big plus for me. I will have to see in summer and higher humidity how it goes.

The downside: It IS a little more pricey. I bought 3 30-pound boxes and each is about $50. The amount that you see in the aviary is about 80 pounds... I really hope that besides cleaning the "heavy traffic" area I will not have to clean it out completely more than twice a year, that's what I did with the aspen shavings.

I contacted Fibercore directly and they were very nice and found me a pet store that was ordering the 30 pound boxes for me. YOu can also order it online (in 30 or 10 pound boxes) but the shipping is very expensive. I am very glad that I can pick it up locally for the same price without shipping cost.

Here is the website: http://www.fibercorellc.com/

That website is for wholesale pet stores etc. Do you know how to find the same item at a local retailer? Do we need to call? I've seen it in small little boxed, but not enough for an aviary.

[Ursula]

Thanks, all!

I do clean much more often of course, but I hope that I don't have to do a complete replacement of the bedding more than twice a year. Time will tell. Every few weeks I have to clean the greenery, the window and all surfaces, and change some of the bedding under the most frequented perches/trees.

I think walnut shells would be too hard and sharp for the quail. They might be ok if you have flying birds only but I have no experience with them.

[moonrise]

GORGEOUS aviary! >>drools<<

[cindy]

Ursula, I used that in the botom of my cages before (I ordered it from one of the bird supply places on line...I think Bird supply of NH).

I liked it because it seemed to stay in the cages better than aspen. Petco sell an ECO Aspen fairly cheap but with heavier birds taking off from the bottom it is all over. I was not happy with the smell of wood, it was a bit strong.

The product you are using seems to collect knocked seed better, mostly becasue of the shape of the material. The only drawback was the birds were pulling it up to try to nest with, but then again they try to pull everything up to nest with...whole paper towels, wood chips, Cozy Comfort (loved that product - stores here stopped carrying it).

Kaytee came out with a product like the Fibercore but it is straighter, lighter and seems to be like shredded paper towels. It does not control order, when wet it does not dry quickly and it is so light it blows out of the cage. It is sold in PetSmart. Was not a fan, but it is great for lining a nest box or nest with.

[Ursula]

Yes, the gouldians LOVE it as nesting material.... And here I am trying to discourage them from nesting.
Right now the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

And I've had it with Kaytee. I sent them an email asking them why their aspen shavings have lost quality and is so dusty now (I had used it for years and can tell the difference) and they didn't even have the curtesy to give me a standard answer.

[cindy]

I found Kaytee has changed many of their products and frankly I am not impressed. If you ever have to use aspen again try Planet Petco Aspen, it is dust free and they are in bags that say 2 cu ft expands to 4 cu ft. I think it was $15 a bag.

[finchmix22]

Thanks, all!

I do clean much more often of course, but I hope that I don't have to do a complete replacement of the bedding more than twice a year. Time will tell. Every few weeks I have to clean the greenery, the window and all surfaces, and change some of the bedding under the most frequented perches/trees.

I think walnut shells would be too hard and sharp for the quail. They might be ok if you have flying birds only but I have no experience with them.

The product label for the walnut shell litter says it should only be used under the grate and not where the birds can try to eat it etc. I think it is to replace a tray liner.