Wood Shavings for bedding ?

[Aussie Whip 4,097]

I've always kept ferrets in wire cages with straw in the sleeping box but have copied you guys in my new place and built a court. I've put wood shavings on the floor and rags in the bed so any meat doesn't get covered in shavings and eaten. Was reading that shavings aren't the best for ferrets as they tunnel through and inhale dust. What are people's experience with this ? So far the ferts love the new large area and look happier, healthier and fitter already, cheers.

[Guss33 375]

From what I have read on here and spoken to a few people you need to use dustless wood chips. I personally prefer the wire floor and rags for bedding as that’s my preference.  I do also have one cage that has a timber floor for when I have young kits. 

[beany01 223]

Always used shavings, never had an issue. I cover the whole hutch with shavings, then put shredded tissue on top of them in the bedding area. I dont used anything in the court, apart from the corner they crap in, which is also a pile of shavings

[Flacko 1,744]

Never used rags in bedding about inch of shavings in bottom then fresh dry straw for them to nest in do you lads shred the rags up or what 

[Aussie Whip 4,097]

55 minutes ago, Flacko said:

Never used rags in bedding about inch of shavings in bottom then fresh dry straw for them to nest in do you lads shred the rags up or what 

I just cut them into small 12 inch squares so they don't tangle.

[socks 32,253]

Used shavings my whole life and never had an issue …..

[Luckee legs 464]

And another variation for you. I use normal shavings for litter but keep them out of the sleeping areas. Reason is they stick like crazy to meat. The only problem I ever experienced was with dust extracted shavings, sounds bizarre but I could see the processing had greatly reduced the overall size of the chip so maybe that was the problem. For bedding I use material. This is not no risk as very rarely (3 times in 20 years) I have had ferrets get claws properly stuck in material. Straw is next choice. Hay in my experience is the material that causes respiratory issues and scratching

[Aussie Whip 4,097]

1 hour ago, Luckee legs said:

And another variation for you. I use normal shavings for litter but keep them out of the sleeping areas

Yeah I'm using rags in the nest box.

[Daniel cain 45,238]

Used sawdust and a mix of old clothes and straw for bedding for over 30 yrs no problems

[The one 8,474]

Always used shavings just a bit more in the sleeping quarters easy to get a big bale from a equine centre and there dust free . Never liked straw , hay etc anything with a hollow stem could harbour bugs and ferrets are bright enough not to eat shavings or remove them from meat i think 

[Paulnix 426]

   I get dust free shavings and use it in sleeping area, all over the floor with some cat litter in shit pot with no issues. 

[TOMO 26,096]

shavings in the run....at one end....and straw in the nest area....cant see it being ver comfy for the ferrets to sleep in shavings...and they cant burrow in to it when its cold

[The one 8,474]

My hutches dont have seperate quarters i use differnt sized plastic boxes for beds depending on the number of ferrets in there i just cut down one side so they get in and out and load these up with shavings  and just cover the rest of the hutch with a couple of inches of shavings some times they burrow into them sometimes it must be warm they sleep on the shavings outside the boxes .I find its easier to get rid of  dirty shavings than bulky  dirty straw 

[breeze 1,297]

I've got mine in a outside run...bout 10 x 4. Slabbed floor and shavings in one of them long plastic trays that folk lye grow bags in to grow toms that i use for shit pan.

Just lift it out and straight into garden bin, easy 

sprinkle of shavings in sleeping box with fresh straw 

[Mouldiwarp 13]

I’ve used shavings for over 30years and never had a problem . I’ve always bought them in the large bales which are dust extracted