[tracy66]

Hi all

We currently have a couple of inches of straw and they seem happy scratching around on that but just wondered if it's the best/most hygenic thing for them to use?

I've read that some people just put sand in, i've also read positive things about hemcore?
Then obviously wood chips etc etc

Just wondered what your thoughts are on the best to use, our run is covered and is on paving slabs so stays pretty much dry apart from a little bit of seapage with heavy rain around the edge of the run where the patio is a bit uneven!

Thanks

[Orpington]

I used to use woodshavings but now use a hemp product, in France where I live it is called Confilit, I think I have seen something in mags in U.K. called cosytoes, it was used first by people who keep horses  as there are no respiritory problems, I do not use straw as it can get very wet and in the winter one is clearing out every day.

[dinosaw]

I use aubiose which is a hempcore product for horses, around £9 for 20kg. I give a liberal sprinkle of stalosan f around the run on a weekly basis and then rake through and it has kept the run smelling sweet so no complaints. You would need kickboards around your run to contain the aubiose when they scratch through the stuff if you don't have them already.

[tracy66]

That's great many thanks for the replies.
We've put a layer of bricks all the way around the outside of the run to keep the straw(at the moment) from going everywhere, also will hopefully deter the foxes a bit as well!!

Went down to a local farm supplier this afternoon and got a bale of easibed which we'll try next weekend when we have a clean out.