Hemcore

[Holly]

As many of you know I've been using Aubiose (a hemp based horse bedding) for my hamsters and guinea pigs for the past few months. I've been really impressed with it, it's virtually dust free, has a mild fresh smell and is very economical (about eight pounds a bale which lasts me a month for 15 hamsters and 2 piggies). Best of all it tangles far less in the coats of our LH's than anything else I've found.

Until now that is

I went to the farm where I buy my Aubiose last week and was horrified to find they didn't have any and weren't sure when they be getting it because of Christmas and New Year. My face must have said it all because the farmer suggested I try "Hemcore" instead. I was a bit dubious but he said it's basically the same thing - a hemp based bedding.

I didn't have a lot of choice as I needed it then and there (for the piggies really) so I decided to give it a go. It's the same size bale/bag as the Aubiose and the same price - the bag states "dust extracted hemp bedding".

Anyway I've been using it for the piggies for a few days and I was impressed but today I've cleaned out all of our hamsters and tonight, getting them out, I've been amazed to find there's NONE AT ALL tangled in the coats of our LH's - even Rolo, our LH satin.

I'm amazed and impressed - obvioulsy it's early days and I need to see how we go with it - but I'm giving it a big thumbs up for now.

Anyone know any problems with it?

[I_am_plankton]

Nope It's one of the safe good beddings apparently alongside as you said, Aubiose, Megazorb, and hemcore

[DonnaB]

I shall watch this thread with interest!

I've been using Aubiose from Cooks (thanks) for the rabbits litter trays and Luna the Hammie's bedding. I'm quite pleased with it so far, but it could do with being maybe a little more absorbant as a few of my foster buns are big 'wee-ers, so I'm always looking for the perfect litter/bedding.

[I_am_plankton]

Originally Posted by DonnaB

I shall watch this thread with interest!

I've been using Aubiose from Cooks (thanks) for the rabbits litter trays and Luna the Hammie's bedding. I'm quite pleased with it so far, but it could do with being maybe a little more absorbant as a few of my foster buns are big 'wee-ers, so I'm always looking for the perfect litter/bedding.

You can't get more absorbent than Megazorb according to my local equastrian I am allergic to it but it is brilliant

[Faye]

I had a look at Hemcore when I was first choosing a substrate... I found the fragments quite large (and so didn't look comfy) - perhaps it was just the pack that I looked at... are the fragments much larger than Aubiose?
I use Megazorb at the moment, but have a piggy with very silly curly hair - and Megazorb does get stuck in it so it'd be good if there is a tangle-free option!

[Holly]

The pieces are a bit bigger than Aubiose - but when you sort of grab a handful of it it feels nice and soft (a lot like Aubiose in fact, just bigger).

I'm well impressed - I, too, found the Aubiose not as absorbent as I'd like for my piggies, it's fine for hams who don't wee as much. I'm hoping the Hemcore will be better - will keep you posted.

[DonnaB]

Originally Posted by I_am_plankton

You can't get more absorbent than Megazorb according to my local equastrian I am allergic to it but it is brilliant

I've been thinking about trying that next, never knew how absorbent it was though, so will go searching, thanks, I'll def try it.

[souffle]

I would have a smell of Megazorb before you buy it Donna. Certain batches have a somewhat odd smell which neither Holly nor myself could live with. Sorry but it smells like sick and filled the hammy room with the smell. It does not seem to be all the megazorb that smells funny but we can always tell who's hammies have been kept in it as it does have a distinctve smell. It is of course a personal thing but just thought I'd advise you before you buy a bale and don't like it.

[Faye]

Originally Posted by souffle

I would have a smell of Megazorb before you buy it Donna. Certain batches have a somewhat odd smell which neither Holly nor myself could live with. Sorry but it smells like sick and filled the hammy room with the smell. It does not seem to be all the megazorb that smells funny but we can always tell who's hammies have been kept in it as it does have a distinctve smell. It is of course a personal thing but just thought I'd advise you before you buy a bale and don't like it.

I've heard of quite a lot of people not liking the smell... I've never had a bad batch yet - mine smells kind of 'papery'... but it is something I would want to sniff before I buy before getting any from any other supplier!

[Spuds Mum]

GAAAAHHHHH so today I went on a 3 hour round trip to buy our first batch of Aubiose after searching everywhere locally for it around 3 months now! (thanks to Souffle who gave me the address of a place in Horbury that stocks it)
So today another idea crops up that may be better for the LHs than Aubiose! How typical is that lol
Anyways, Aubiose it is for now, and I've cleaned out the LHs and Dubaku is settled nicely on his - he seems to really like it and I loved the texture as I was putting it in.
I have never even tried to find megazorb as I do have a really sensitive sense of smell, and even the thought of smelling 'sicky' makes me feel nauseous, but I will keep asking for updates Holly to see whether a new search is required... for Hemcore!