Aubiose

[Wookiee]

Does anyone use/has used Aubiose as a substrate? I am looking to change from wood-shavings and have been pondering Fitch, but delivery is going to be a problem. I have seen Aubiose recommended in a few YouTube videos and I have discovered that there is a stockist a few minutes drive from me, but I wondered if any of the wise ones of HC had any views?

[Wookiee]

Also, on the subject of Fitch, are the bales easy to carry? My best option would be to get it delivered to work but I'd need to be able to get it back to my car! (And endure the mocking of my colleagues, but I'm used to that after my Alaska got delivered there lol).

[cypher]

I can just about lift a bag of fitch, no way could I carry it & it might not even be easy to fit into smaller cars! The full size 20kg bag really is big, the smaller 10kg bag is a lot more manageable but does work out a lot more expensive.
I've never used aubiose but I know quite a few people do, if I remember rightly it's hemp based? I use the hemp from zooplus & really like it so I guess it would be similar.

[Wookiee]

Thanks cypher. I have a small car with a ridiculously tiny boot, so I guess that would be out then

[Amethyst_ice]

I found auboise smelly and hard, i stood on too much, it was sharp. I use finacard for my rats so the hamster gets it, I order a few bales from rat rations and it lasts me ages and ages, works out around £1.40 per month clean outs! he bales you couldnt manage alone though so i have to have it delivered but it still works out cheap for me x

[Wookiee]

Thanks! I must admit, I prefer the sound of Fitch, I just need to work out the logistics of getting hold of it!

[Vectis Hamstery]

I used Aubiose, but I'm allergic to it. I also found it rather pokey, and prone to being very wet inside if stored by equine shops outside. The bale is similar in size to a 20kg Fitch. Perhaps it comes with practice, but I wriggle 2-3 20kg bales of Fitch into my little car(one fits in the boot neatly) and carry them into my flat (my friend and I share a pallet). I've got one in my car at the moment as it's been too wet to unload it!

[ayemee]

I use aubiose and haven't had a problem with it. The bale I got was really soft and lovely and she loves digging in it. I haven't noticed any bad smells from it either. It's very absorbent.

[Pebbles82]

I know Erin's Hamsters like Aubiose - basically it's a brand of hemp substrate and there are other brands more easily available from Zooplus. Some people who used it went off it I believe due to quality control. The Hugro one is supposed to be good. I tried it but was allergic too (it's basically chopped dried plant material - quite woody). I thought the pieces seemed a bit poky but people use it without issue and they are small pieces so unlikely to poke an eye.

If I wasn't allergic I would probably mix it with Fitch! I'm quite happy using Fitch on it's own though and Charlie likes it. Although the 10kg bags don't work out as cheap, I get them because they are more manageable and easier to find somewhere to put them and they still last a long time. At £16.99 and it lasts me at least six months that works out at about £2.83 a month which isn't bad.

This is the Hugro hemp.

Hemp Bedding for Small Pet | Great Deals at zooplus!

I have one of the hemp mats too - you can cut pieces off - I have a piece lining Charlie's Rat sized sputnik to make it cosy (and fit better for him) and you can use a piece on top of a shelf or house as well. Not allergic to the hemp mat!

[Shannonmcn]

I use the Hugro hemp and I like it a lot, it smells nice, it doesn't hold tunnels at all but Cc does like to have a dig in it. I didn't find it too hard or pokey but it isn't really great for nesting so I supplement it with a bag of Carefresh which is obviously just nicer and softer for them to sleep in. I got the 100lt bag for £20 from zooplus and although it is big it's not very heavy and it's lasted me a very long time, I think I got the bag in July and I still have maybe half of it left.