Pillow Wad Eco-Nest - Chipped Cardboard Substrate
Mar 19, 2022 9:21:40 GMT -8
Markpd and pea like this
Post by betty on Mar 19, 2022 9:21:40 GMT -8
This substrate is an excellent dust-extracted cardboard-based substrate suitable for those gerbil keepers wanting to reduce the risk of respiratory issues as well as to keep your carpets cleaner if you have a topper!
The product itself isn't one of the most cost effective when using large quantities - as it only currently comes in two smaller sized packets (1.5kg and 3.2kg) the larger of which isn't enough to 'really' fill up a decent enclosure. It is however, said to be made from (recycled) virgin cardboard - which means that the cardboard hasn't been used elsewhere or been in contact with products from other industries. This makes me feel a lot better about it as the thought of what it was doing before it became substrate would concern me. (It also has eco-wrapping and is made relatively locally to me in the UK by a family-run firm).
It is lightweight, fresh smelling, easy to handle, easy to pick up if dropped or as overspill from the enclosure, totally safe to chew and use with all ages of gerbil - and almost 100% dust free. It does sometimes appear cumbersome when first used as the chips are a decent size - especially with younger gerbils or very elderly gerbils trying to clamber over it - but they gradually chew it up as desired and it settles much better. I always offer with long-strand hay or straw so it doesn't really hold up it's own tunnels when 'fresh' and can fall quite flat if they don't stay active with it.
It is very absorbent and lasts for a long time in the enclosure before it looks used - mainly because - unlike wood shavings and the care-fresh types - it holds its shape and weight so the waste particles (poop, food and shells/shucks) fall beneath it more easily - often creating a layer on the base of the enclosure. This leaves the substrate itself looking like new still even after several weeks. It can easily be seived out (roughly) with a large cat litter scoop so the poop and uneaten/waste food particles can be collected at the bottom and the substrate lifted out and re-used where salvageable.
If it gets super wet though - like a bottle leak or in a 'wee corner' - it will turn to mush and disintigrate into a gloop - often with an earth smell and a gritty texture. Not the end of the world of course - but still unpleasant when scooping out!
The prices online for this product vary enormously (the 3.2kg can be as little as £3.50 each but stretching up to £8.99 in other places) - but there are several other brands of cardboard-based dust-extracted cardboard chips that come in bales and are much less costly. I will certainly be trying a few of the alternatives myself just to see how they differ - but for now - I wouldn't change from my Eco-Nest.
The product itself isn't one of the most cost effective when using large quantities - as it only currently comes in two smaller sized packets (1.5kg and 3.2kg) the larger of which isn't enough to 'really' fill up a decent enclosure. It is however, said to be made from (recycled) virgin cardboard - which means that the cardboard hasn't been used elsewhere or been in contact with products from other industries. This makes me feel a lot better about it as the thought of what it was doing before it became substrate would concern me. (It also has eco-wrapping and is made relatively locally to me in the UK by a family-run firm).
It is lightweight, fresh smelling, easy to handle, easy to pick up if dropped or as overspill from the enclosure, totally safe to chew and use with all ages of gerbil - and almost 100% dust free. It does sometimes appear cumbersome when first used as the chips are a decent size - especially with younger gerbils or very elderly gerbils trying to clamber over it - but they gradually chew it up as desired and it settles much better. I always offer with long-strand hay or straw so it doesn't really hold up it's own tunnels when 'fresh' and can fall quite flat if they don't stay active with it.
It is very absorbent and lasts for a long time in the enclosure before it looks used - mainly because - unlike wood shavings and the care-fresh types - it holds its shape and weight so the waste particles (poop, food and shells/shucks) fall beneath it more easily - often creating a layer on the base of the enclosure. This leaves the substrate itself looking like new still even after several weeks. It can easily be seived out (roughly) with a large cat litter scoop so the poop and uneaten/waste food particles can be collected at the bottom and the substrate lifted out and re-used where salvageable.
If it gets super wet though - like a bottle leak or in a 'wee corner' - it will turn to mush and disintigrate into a gloop - often with an earth smell and a gritty texture. Not the end of the world of course - but still unpleasant when scooping out!
The prices online for this product vary enormously (the 3.2kg can be as little as £3.50 each but stretching up to £8.99 in other places) - but there are several other brands of cardboard-based dust-extracted cardboard chips that come in bales and are much less costly. I will certainly be trying a few of the alternatives myself just to see how they differ - but for now - I wouldn't change from my Eco-Nest.
, did you manage to find/take a photo of it?
), late 70s