Have you heard of this with Pine Pellets

[Mike Cavanaugh]

to make a long story short, I was talking to my local feed shop about inexpensive substrate for rats. She suggested pine pellets. I explained that I have been using equine fresh, and did not like it because of the amount of dust.

She basicly explained that I was not using the pine pellets correctly. She said you have to mix them with water prior to using them. according to her if you do this, it virtually illiminates the nasty dust.

She recomended I put in enough pine pellets to cover the floor of the tank, then spray it with water (fine mist with water bottle). Mix it up a bit, and it is good to go. In fact, the pine pellets she stocks (guardian or something) actually says on the bag that it needs to be sprayed with water once it is layed down.

Well, I plan to try it when I get home. A simple web search showed that she is NOT the only one that recomends adding some water prior to use!!! here is an example: http://www.horsetackreview.com/review-display/8765.html

anybody heard of this before, or already doing it???

[littleindiangirl]

Yea... it says it on their website. However... the dust is created from the broken down pellets. Soo.... she wants you to break all the pellets down and hope for the best? Then your rats would be running around in all saw dust the whole time, sort of defeated the soaking properties of the pellets themselves.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Then why do you think so many people do it? Why does the web site recomend it? do a web search. Apparently it does not mess up the moisture absorbing properties at all.

Keep in mind, they are not talking about soaking it... only spraying it with a fine mist of water. I imagine a fine misting would only soften soften the pellets up a bit, and cause them to expand.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

here are the directions straight from the equine fresh web site. They aren't talking about wetting it to the point of making it dust... they are only saying to add enough water to "expand and fluff"

Instructions For Use:
INITIAL:

1.) Strip stall

2.) Spread pellets evenly - 1" deep (approximately 5 to 7 bags for a 12x12 stall, adjust accordingly).

3.) Spray water lightly on pellets to expand and fluff.

MAINTENANCE:

1.) Remove solids daily and pick wet spots as they become apparent.

2.) Add pellets as necessary (approximately 1 bag a week). Moisten to expand and fluff.

3.) Bedding should be slightly moist to the touch, moisten when too dry.

4.) Strip stall as necessary (approximately every 4 months) and start fresh.

[littleindiangirl]

Yes mike, I know what they all say, I have read it. However, your main goal is to minimize dust. Does expanding the pellets into saw dust sound like your minimizing it?

To me, it sounds like my rats are going to be kicking up saw dust for a week.

And yes, the broken down saw dust does NOT soak up pee and moisture from poop as well as the intact pellets. I've had enough floods in my tubs to take notice of that property.

[littleindiangirl]

I do know that Lord Jackel sprays down his pellets, perhaps he will chime in or you can PM him directly to hear his input.

[kc261]

I'm not sure that a constantly damp (even if only slightly) substrate would be good for rodents. If you lightly spray the pellets, then let them dry out, the dust that was trapped by the moisture is going to be released again.

I think slight moisture is actually good for horses' hooves, so it makes sense that spraying would be recommended for use with horses.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

well, I am going to give it a shot. If it doesn't work well then it is just another lesson learned.

Just set up one of my large grow out tubs... BARELY covered the bottom with pine pellets... then very quickly sprayed the pellets with a fine mist of water from the hose. witin a few minutes it swelled up to about an inch deep. Most of the pellets did not loose their shape, they just got bigger. Put the rats back in.


Will report back on what happens. It is amazing how much it expands. If this works, I am really going to be able to "stretch out" each bag!

[Mike Cavanaugh]

well, so far it seems to be working... it did definately break some of the pellets down... but it is not "dusty." weird... looks like it should be dusty, but its not. Definately isn't wet. 20 minutes after spraying it, it became dry to the touch. will check beack in at the one week point.

[shadi11]

I have not heard this however. I may also give it a try with mine.. Let me know how it works for you and I will post as well with an update