is Pine bedding okay??

[Lori P]

Oh no, jack away, I just happened to read the title and it reminded me to ask!! :-) I'm thinking the aspen may get pricey for the mice eventually so may switch to pine later on... we'll see how the odor goes.

[tikichick]

I have a friend who raises feeder rats and mice and she told me pine and cedar should be avoided for housing feeders because of the toxicity to snakes.

[tikichick]

Well that was almost as fun as threading a needle :P

Took numerous tries and he peed on me, lol, but the little guy finally swallowed a minnow, whew!

When I should force him to eat again?

[drache]

congrats on getting something in him
depending on how much of a meal that was for him, I'd either skip one day or two
and I'd still see whether his appetite got whetted and he'll take the next one on his own
good luck

[anji1971]

Glad to hear it worked! Good luck with getting him to continue eating!

[Lori P]

Laura, congrats on getting it down him!! I would say, wait and make sure it stays down... so give it a couple days. Good job!!!

And thanks for the reminder on the pine shavings-- will keep the mice on aspen!!!!

[Loren]

I raise all my feeder rodents on pine bedding from walmart. 6 bucks for 4 cubic feet, compared to 15 bucks for that much aspen at the cheapest I have found it. havent had any problems.

[tikichick]

Thanks for the advice yall I'll feed him again in a couple days. He usually burrows and hides all day. Today he's been out and about more than usual, yay!

[infernalis]

I won't say where, But I received snakes shipped in deli cups with pine shavings in it.

Been using it for the mice, same reason as Loren, but for my snakes I stick with products intended for reptiles.

During periods of financial crisis, Gobs of grass from the lawn, soil, newspaper and paper towels have all been used with no ill effects.

[keelerskiddiecare]

Has anyone here ever use coconut substrate?? That is what we are using for Mrs. Wiggles and for the Corn and the King. Mrs. Wiggles has been using the coconut substrate now ever since we got her approx. 2 yrs ago and there have not seemed to be any ill effect. It drys out nice but also will hold moisture well. You do have to be careful not to over wet it as it can stay saturated (potential wetness problems) but if you spray it down reasonably, enough to provide adequate moisture it will dry up almost daily.