How much is 20kg of fitch bedding in Litres?

[heidii]

^^ The issue with Fitch isn't necessarily "bad batches". There's multiple "types" of Fitch, with no distinguishing labelling. This means someone could buy from the same seller again and again, but one time have something completely different (ie.; hard lumps). Honestly, I believe all paper beddings have these issues, though. I think we can all say Kaytee has had bad batches, but so has most other paper beddings.

[Pebbles82]

I've been using Fitch for years. The 20kg bag is HUGE! It goes a very long way. I get the 10kg bags because that's the biggest bag I can store in the house (it needs to be kept indoors to avoid damp).

There are no "bad batches" of Fitch - it has been produced for many years. It is made by one manufacturer - Fitch Recycling - who sell it direct - and also via Amazon (but it still comes direct from the manufacturer when bought on Amazon).

It's made from recycled food grade paper. It has no dust whatsoever, which is why I like it. Once or twice in a period of 8 years, I have had a batch that is less white and more creamy coloured and the manufacturers say this depends what they have been recycling at the time. But that is rare and it's no different. It's great bedding.

If you want to buy in bulk then Fitch or hemp bedding are probably the way to go. Kaytee Clean and Cozy is also popular too but probably works out more expensive for the equivalent amount. I quite like that but I have had the odd batch of that, that was dusty. Fitch is just paper. Not cellulose or any other type of manufactured bedding.

It used to be the most popular bedding on here until Kaytee Clean and Cozy became available in the Uk.

I am not good in thinking in terms of litres - if you can give the dimensions of your cage I can give an idea as to how far the fitch will go. But for comparison, a 10kg bag fills a 100cm cage to the brim and only uses about a third to half the 10kg bag. I then find the bag lasts about 6 months (spot cleaning two 100cm cages). Works out quite cheap.

Having said all that - since I bought my last bale (not that long ago) it looks like their website has changed. They seem to be part of a bigger group now and sell a lot more than just pet bedding.

You want the version for "small critters". This is the bale I get

Fitch First - Fitch Paper 10kg Single Bale Bedding For Smaller Critters

I can't see the 20kg bale on their website any more.

I think a 10kg bag would fill the base of three 100cm cages. Yes occasionally you get the odd light blue piece - maybe 5 in a 10kg bag! You also get coloured Kaytee clean and cozy! Hamsters love it. It holds tunnels quite well and they supplement their nest with it as well.

For holding tunnels, mixing two or even three types of substrate works well - eg fitch mixed with aspen (although personally I don't like aspen). I sometimes mix it with Finacard (soft cardboard pieces).

[AmbientOcclusion]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I've been using Fitch for years. The 20kg bag is HUGE! It goes a very long way. I get the 10kg bags because that's the biggest bag I can store in the house (it needs to be kept indoors to avoid damp).

There are no "bad batches" of Fitch - it has been produced for many years. It is made by one manufacturer - Fitch Recycling - who sell it direct - and also via Amazon (but it still comes direct from the manufacturer when bought on Amazon).

It's made from recycled food grade paper. It has no dust whatsoever, which is why I like it. Once or twice in a period of 8 years, I have had a batch that is less white and more creamy coloured and the manufacturers say this depends what they have been recycling at the time. But that is rare and it's no different. It's great bedding.

The dimensions are 122x50
If you want to buy in bulk then Fitch or hemp bedding are probably the way to go. Kaytee Clean and Cozy is also popular too but probably works out more expensive for the equivalent amount. I quite like that but I have had the odd batch of that, that was dusty. Fitch is just paper. Not cellulose or any other type of manufactured bedding.

It used to be the most popular bedding on here until Kaytee Clean and Cozy became available in the Uk.

I am not good in thinking in terms of litres - if you can give the dimensions of your cage I can give an idea as to how far the fitch will go. But for comparison, a 10kg bag fills a 100cm cage to the brim and only uses about a third to half the 10kg bag. I then find the bag lasts about 6 months (spot cleaning two 100cm cages). Works out quite cheap.

Having said all that - since I bought my last bale (not that long ago) it looks like their website has changed. They seem to be part of a bigger group now and sell a lot more than just pet bedding.

You want the version for "small critters". This is the bale I get

Fitch First - Fitch Paper 10kg Single Bale Bedding For Smaller Critters

I can't see the 20kg bale on their website any more.

I think a 10kg bag would fill the base of three 100cm cages. Yes occasionally you get the odd light blue piece - maybe 5 in a 10kg bag! You also get coloured Kaytee clean and cozy! Hamsters love it. It holds tunnels quite well and they supplement their nest with it as well.

For holding tunnels, mixing two or even three types of substrate works well - eg fitch mixed with aspen (although personally I don't like aspen). I sometimes mix it with Finacard (soft cardboard pieces).

The dimensions are 122x50cm

[heidii]

There most definitely is bad batches of Fitch. You may of not had any yourself, but I used it quite a while with the pigs until they could go to their new home.

Don't get me wrong, I like Fitch. However, depending on the quality of each bag, you may have to sit there sifting out the hard, sharper more compressed bits of bedding. I also feel more comfortable removing the bits that are dyed.

All beddings will likely have a bad batch or too at some point. But Fitch is worth the money regardless of the sifting !

[Pebbles82]

Originally Posted by heidii

There most definitely is bad batches of Fitch. You may of not had any yourself, but I used it quite a while with the pigs until they could go to their new home.

Don't get me wrong, I like Fitch. However, depending on the quality of each bag, you may have to sit there sifting out the hard, sharper more compressed bits of bedding. I also feel more comfortable removing the bits that are dyed.

All beddings will likely have a bad batch or too at some point. But Fitch is worth the money regardless of the sifting !

Nope - disagree entirely. What do you call a "bad batch"? The occasional "hard bits" are no different to wet toilet paper going hard and no issue whatsoever. They don't need sifting out. You can hardly call the odd bit of blue paper, dyed bedding. It's recylced food grade paper. If it's food grade, it's food grade. They do no harm whatsoever to a hamster (who won't even notice the odd blue bit). I think I have one blue bit in my 100cm cage right now!

I have had two batches in 8 years that were more off white than white and not quite as soft, but perfectly fine - and a lot softer than aspen or wood shavings! I wouldn't call them bad batches - the manufacturers state on the website that it might vary in colour and texture slightly depending on what they've been recycling. But nearly every bag I've bought has been soft white paper.

[Pebbles82]

This is finacard. I wouldn't use it on its own because it's kind of less cosy than paper substrate, but it works well mixed with paper substrate and makes it go further. No dust either.

Hamster Finacard One Bale : Finacard, Dust free animal bedding for rodents, cavies, equines and felines

[Ria P]

According to my kitchen scales a 85l bag of Kaytee weighs just over 4 kg and not 3.5 kg. Maybe my scales are wrong.

[Pebbles82]

I also use it because I think it's one of the most natural that has been through the least chemical processes. Some beddings go through a lot of chemical processes to turn them from wood pulp into cellulose - and also to bleach them. Paper goes through less chemical processes. Hemp is the most natural one probably, but I'm allergic to that. Paper is also non allergenic For hamsters and humans.

[heidii]

It is finacard inside of a fitch paper bale. I've found a few pieces in a couple different bales but generally the quality is good.

[Pebbles82]

We seem to have had different experiences. I can only comment on my own use of Fitch for the past 8 years. It's a good bedding, can be bought in bulk and works out inexpensive. It's my first choice of (hypoallergenic) bedding. Others may have other choice. Kaytee Clean and cosy seems the most popular these days (less storage space needed as it's compressed). I quite like it - but I prefer the texture and "looseness" of Fitch.

More importantly, all our hamsters for the past 8 years have liked Fitch. They love it in fact. There are hard bits in hamster food too! Hamster food regularly gets strewn around the cage.