How much is 20kg of fitch bedding in Litres?

AmbientOcclusion · 07-02-2022, 09:47 PM

Fitch is advertised as being a great value for money, but as its a UK bedding we measure in weight rather than volume. Does anyone know how to calculate an approximate estimate? I need around 190.43 L of compacted bedding to be able to provide 11.81" of bedding, the reccomended amount to allow a hamster to replicate natural burrowing behaviour.
I've considered small pet select but their "Jumbo 175L bedding", is only 52L compressed, which makes me quite sceptical due to the price.

Ria P · 07-03-2022, 12:12 AM

When i get home later, i'll weigh my 85l bags of Kaytee clean and cozy which expand 3 times making it a good and economical substrate.

People here use Fitch and someone will know the answer.

AmbientOcclusion · 07-03-2022, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria P

When i get home later, i'll weigh my 85l bags of Kaytee clean and cozy which expand 3 times making it a good and economical substrate.

People here use Fitch and someone will know the answer.

Alright, thank you!

Ria P · 07-03-2022, 02:41 AM

I found this online. I know that Fitch is sold in large quantities which is the reason i don't use it. I wouldn't know where to store it. I believe there are two different types of Fitch with one more suitable than the other.
There may be info on here if you have a look under Housing on the Forum.

AmbientOcclusion · 07-03-2022, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria P

I found this online. I know that Fitch is sold in large quantities which is the reason i don't use it. I wouldn't know where to store it. I believe there are two different types of Fitch with one more suitable than the other.
There may be info on here if you have a look under Housing on the Forum.

Doing the maths, that would mean Fitch is around 480L for 20kg. Wow. That really is quite efficient.

heidii · 07-03-2022, 03:18 AM

I've used Fitch a few times (I think mainly for my fostered skinny pigs, I think just the very end of the bag for the hamsters). From what I remember, the bale of paper bedding is much larger than your typical 85l bag. I know that isn't much information, but cost-wise it may be more efficient. Though, something to note is that Fitch often comes with like some pieces that are dyed blue? I talked to the guy who makes it and he said it's food safe dye, and therefore safe for hamsters. The price has gone up over the years, though.

AmityvilleHams · 07-03-2022, 03:36 AM

The "85l" Kaytee Clean and Cozy isn't 85l while compressed. It expands to that amount(or roughly that amount), but it's only ~28l compressed.

Personally I'd go with Small Pet Select. They only use virgin fiber, and it's dye free. These aren't really things most companies can say about their products when it comes to substrate if I'm honest.

I know Kaytee in particular does have a bit of a track record with bad batches & poor quality control. Some people get very lucky with no bad experiences. I think others have found things like bandaids in theirs, and I definitely at least have found some dangerously hard & sharp pieces of substrate in the past. It isn't exactly an old problem either - this has been happening for years now.

I don't think as many people have had bad batches with Fitch, but I think it has happened at some point. I'd still choose Small Pet Select over Fitch personally though, with Fitch not being dye free - food grade or otherwise.

AmbientOcclusion · 07-03-2022, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

The "85l" Kaytee Clean and Cozy isn't 85l while compressed. It expands to that amount(or roughly that amount), but it's only ~28l compressed.

Personally I'd go with Small Pet Select. They only use virgin fiber, and it's dye free. These aren't really things most companies can say about their products when it comes to substrate if I'm honest.

I know Kaytee in particular does have a bit of a track record with bad batches & poor quality control. Some people get very lucky with no bad experiences. I think others have found things like bandaids in theirs, and I definitely at least have found some dangerously hard & sharp pieces of substrate in the past. It isn't exactly an old problem either - this has been happening for years now.

I don't think as many people have had bad batches with Fitch, but I think it has happened at some point. I'd still choose Small Pet Select over Fitch personally though, with Fitch not being dye free - food grade or otherwise.

Do you use Small Pet select? I've heard it's gotten quite dusty recently.

Ria P · 07-03-2022, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

The "85l" Kaytee Clean and Cozy isn't 85l while compressed. It expands to that amount(or roughly that amount), but it's only ~28l compressed.

How did you work this one out?
The Kaytee in the 85l bag is compressed. I'm not disputing that what you say is incorrect, i'm just curious how you worked this out and came up with 28l.

AmityvilleHams · 07-03-2022, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria P

How did you work this one out?
The Kaytee in the 85l bag is compressed. I'm not disputing that what you say is incorrect, i'm just curious how you worked this out and came up with 28l.

It was really easy to find on the packaging, right on the front towards the bottom when you look at pictures etc. It states 28.3l, expands to 85l. The 28.3l amount is what it is while compressed!