[Gpdd] Care: bedding for GPs; what ia best?

[Sandra Oliver-Poore]

Those of you who remember us at Penny Giggle Farm know whee have 30
wonderful pigz.  This means that I would be hard pressed to provide one of
the spendier bedding alternatives.for them. If I had only a few pigz I would
chose Carefresh and if I were enormously wealthy I would get the Carefresh
Ultra, which is hypoallergenic and has no odor at all.  As it is, I use
dried and fluffed pine that I get at the feed store in huge bales (huge
plastic bag) for about $5. The bales at Petco and Petsmart are much smaller
and more expensive to boot.  I also buy baled grass hay at the feed store
that is so big I can barely get it into the trunk of my poor Camry.  I use
it as feed and bedding, and it cost about $11. I buy 1 a month at the most,
and I consider it a huge bargain. I store it in my carport loosely wrapped
in a tarp so plenty of air flows through.  Any extra is used in the garden
and any spoiled is used in the compost pile as is all the used bedding.  I
use the compost to grow our fresh food.

Although I don't consider the pine to be the best alternative, I believe
it's acceptable for use.  I have never had a GP get a cold or respiratory
ailment and my herd is 4 to 5 years old and still healthy. I do have a built
in Honeywell electronic filter installed on top of our forced air heat pump
and I run it 24/7.  I know it does a huge job for us. The company that sold
and installed it said we would need to clean the filters every 6 mos to 1
year. With all the pigz and Woofer the GP herding blue heeler, plus three
people, our house gets quite a workout. We have to clean all the filters
every 2-3 months or they get so full  they choke off the airflow.  In
"normal" households" a portable Envirocare type filter used near the animals
will improve the air in your home for the animals and slaves alike, I highly
recommend it. I also run one of those in my bedroom for its white noise. I
sleep much better and no dust is another benefit. If you have allergies one
or more is mandatory.

Many people will argue that cedar is acceptable as it "never affects their
pigs" they really need to understand that the damage from it builds over a
long period of time, like cigarette smoking for instance.  Likewise some of
the other dangers our pigs get.into are dangerous over time, like too many
carrots, fresh mushrooms, too much protein in their diet. too little water,
etc.

BTW, I do not recommend becoming slaves to such a big herd, I made mistakes
buying too many and letting some have babies.  It is an enormous amount of
work and still they don't get the individual attention, especially playing,
that they so richly deserve. But they are too cute!! I was foolish.

Love to all. and boy are whee greatful for the GPDD.  Thank you, thank you,
thank you
Sandy and the Penny Giggles

Penny Giggle Farm, where Mental Health is not a requirement