ASF Tell ALLS... Finally decided to reveal to my BP.net brothers and sisters....

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Hey Mike, i noticed that you use pine bedding for your ASFs. Do you find that it adversely affects them in anyway?

It is my understanding that pine and cedar are toxic to regular rats and mice (the same reasons you dont want to use them for snakes).

Or has this all been disproved? i see a lot of people keeping rodents on pine.

It is kiln dried pine. That makes it OK to use.

[bobbi]

so if kiln dried pine is ok for the feeders is it ok for the snake too? just curious...sorry a little off topic

[Mike Cavanaugh]

so if kiln dried pine is ok for the feeders is it ok for the snake too? just curious...sorry a little off topic

No, it still is in no way safe for the snakes. Snakes have a much more delicate respiratory system then rodents.

[bobbi]

thats what i though, i was just curious

[littleindiangirl]

I argue against pine and soft woods being 100% safe to use. While kiln drying is effective in removing most of the tars, phenols and oils, the quality varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, so choose a good brand.

I know most people get a head ache when I drop in pine convo's, but I think it's important to let people know that there is still residue left, and it varies from one brand to the next.

I recommend shopping for a bedding that doesn't have strong odor, isn't very dusty, and is light and fluffy. Apply that to both pine or aspen shavings.

It can be argued that no degree of kiln drying is effective in removing ALL of the harmful chemicals, but a good quality pine is better than a bag of raw wet thick shavings, in my opinion.

[Lucas339]

where is the directions for convincing a wife that breeding rodents is better for her pocket book!!

great write up Mike!

[Kevin_Hornby]

The easy way to do that is get a trio and set them up in a 10 gallon and dont' tell her put em in the closet or something for like a month. Then let her see them and say see you didn't even know they were here. Most people cave when they realize there is little to no smell attached to them.

[llovelace]

Just tell her that Jody is going out of business soon, and you'll then have to pay $6.00 ea. for rats & $3.00 ea. for mice.

[cinderbird]

No, it still is in no way safe for the snakes. Snakes have a much more delicate respiratory system then rodents.

ah thanks for the clarification.

[evil mechanic]

Hey Mike I have a question for you. I was wondering how your country acres hog feed matches up to the country acres all stock 16 I got today. according to the local distributor they don't have country acres hog feed in my region and recomend this all stock to people feeding hogs, cattle and horse. Here is the info on the bag.

Protein. 16% min
Fat. 3%
Fiber. 13% max
Calcium. .9 - 1.4%
Phosphorus. .45% min
Salt. .3 - .8%
Potassium. .75% min
Copper. 16 - 19 ppm
Selenium. .3 min ppm
Zinc. 110ppm
Vitamin A. 2000. IU/LB