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Old 07-02-2022, 09:47 PM   #1
AmbientOcclusion
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Default How much is 20kg of fitch bedding in Litres?

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.
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Old 07-03-2022, 12:12 AM   #2
Ria P
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Default Re: How much is 20kg of fitch bedding in Litres?

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.
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Old 07-03-2022, 01:28 AM   #3
AmbientOcclusion
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Default Re: How much is 20kg of fitch bedding in Litres?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
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!
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Old 07-03-2022, 02:41 AM   #4
Ria P
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Default Re: How much is 20kg of fitch bedding in Litres?

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.
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Old 07-03-2022, 03:18 AM   #5
heidii
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Default Re: How much is 20kg of fitch bedding in Litres?

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.
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Old 07-03-2022, 03:36 AM   #6
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Default Re: How much is 20kg of fitch bedding in Litres?

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.
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Old 07-03-2022, 03:56 AM   #7
heidii
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Default Re: How much is 20kg of fitch bedding in Litres?

^^ 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.
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Old 07-03-2022, 04:46 AM   #8
Pebbles82
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Default Re: How much is 20kg of fitch bedding in Litres?

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).

Last edited by Pebbles82; 07-03-2022 at 05:01 AM.
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Old 07-03-2022, 04:53 AM   #9
heidii
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Default Re: How much is 20kg of fitch bedding in Litres?

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 !
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Old 07-03-2022, 05:03 AM   #10
Pebbles82
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Default Re: How much is 20kg of fitch bedding in Litres?

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
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