For rabbits there are many choices for bedding. Here I will discuss outdoor bedding only.
People chose various beddings for their own reasons. Some exhibitors will select an expensive branded shaving as it is very white. They do this with the belief it will help to keep their rabbits feet cleaner. Whereas the simple fact is you either have a clean or dirty rabbit which is generally a genetic trait.
Regular cleaning is a must.
If they have a poop corner or use a tray then spot cleaning is easier.
However there are a lot of non neutered/breeding rabbits that do not to keep to a poo corner as their hormones won't allow them to! This could be does who turf - 'turfing' is explained as constantly digging because they want to make a burrow and have babies. Sexually excited bucks can also poop all over the place.
Over the last 50 years I have tried many types of bedding especially when new products appeared.
My preferred bedding since I discovered it is Aubiose. It was designed as a horse bedding as are all the beddings we use. I changed to Aubichick as it is a finer grade and softer but just as absorbent.
Aubiose and now Aubichick are highly absorbent and most likely the most absorbent bedding ever. In a stable the wet wicks to the bottom and the top remains dry and the same happens with a rabbits poop corner.
It is dust free, organic (no herbicides, pesticides or fungicides are used) a renewable source, environmentally friendly and can be traced back to the field it which it was grown! It is a clean and natural product.
Aubiose/Aubichick is hemp which naturally composts in 4 months without the need for adding composting agents, whereas wood shavings depending on the wood can take up to 7 years!
When we have a doe nesting we also provide lots of barley straw. We leave the doe to first make her nest with her fur and some hay taken from her hay rack, then we introduce some soft barley straw. Hay is ideal around the nest for extra insulation but is also the first food the baby bunnies will try.
Barley straw is the best option for extra insulation if you want to add some during the colder times.
So long as your hutch is out of direct wind and rain (and sun) that is all that is required. Not duvets and blankets! Rabbits have a fur coat for a reason. However some may want to use a tarpaulin or similar if they have a pet shop purchased hutch as they are not terrible robust or made with thick wood!
I also use the traditional type of hutch for most of my does with a separate bedroom. Once they have kindled they are able to follow their natural instincts to back up the burrow which in my case is the bedroom entrance and this is easily achieved because of the Aubichick being easy to move by the rabbit.
Another very good reason why I use this product is unlike any other it does not get caught in the long fur of the Lionheads or Lion Lops regardless of their age!
Whilst it is amusing to see peoples photos of freshly cleaned out or freshly groomed hairy rabbit breeds covered in wood shavings it is far from ideal as it tangles in the mane and bib.
In the colder Winter months I will add some soft barley straw to their cages. Some just trample if down, others burrow in to it. I prefer to keep the soft straw for the floors and hay in the racks for the feed. If plenty of hay is on offer they shouldn't need to consume their bedding of straw. Thus it remains where it is needed!
People chose various beddings for their own reasons. Some exhibitors will select an expensive branded shaving as it is very white. They do this with the belief it will help to keep their rabbits feet cleaner. Whereas the simple fact is you either have a clean or dirty rabbit which is generally a genetic trait.
Regular cleaning is a must.
If they have a poop corner or use a tray then spot cleaning is easier.
However there are a lot of non neutered/breeding rabbits that do not to keep to a poo corner as their hormones won't allow them to! This could be does who turf - 'turfing' is explained as constantly digging because they want to make a burrow and have babies. Sexually excited bucks can also poop all over the place.
Over the last 50 years I have tried many types of bedding especially when new products appeared.
My preferred bedding since I discovered it is Aubiose. It was designed as a horse bedding as are all the beddings we use. I changed to Aubichick as it is a finer grade and softer but just as absorbent.
Aubiose and now Aubichick are highly absorbent and most likely the most absorbent bedding ever. In a stable the wet wicks to the bottom and the top remains dry and the same happens with a rabbits poop corner.
It is dust free, organic (no herbicides, pesticides or fungicides are used) a renewable source, environmentally friendly and can be traced back to the field it which it was grown! It is a clean and natural product.
Aubiose/Aubichick is hemp which naturally composts in 4 months without the need for adding composting agents, whereas wood shavings depending on the wood can take up to 7 years!
When we have a doe nesting we also provide lots of barley straw. We leave the doe to first make her nest with her fur and some hay taken from her hay rack, then we introduce some soft barley straw. Hay is ideal around the nest for extra insulation but is also the first food the baby bunnies will try.
Barley straw is the best option for extra insulation if you want to add some during the colder times.
So long as your hutch is out of direct wind and rain (and sun) that is all that is required. Not duvets and blankets! Rabbits have a fur coat for a reason. However some may want to use a tarpaulin or similar if they have a pet shop purchased hutch as they are not terrible robust or made with thick wood!
I also use the traditional type of hutch for most of my does with a separate bedroom. Once they have kindled they are able to follow their natural instincts to back up the burrow which in my case is the bedroom entrance and this is easily achieved because of the Aubichick being easy to move by the rabbit.
Another very good reason why I use this product is unlike any other it does not get caught in the long fur of the Lionheads or Lion Lops regardless of their age!
Whilst it is amusing to see peoples photos of freshly cleaned out or freshly groomed hairy rabbit breeds covered in wood shavings it is far from ideal as it tangles in the mane and bib.
In the colder Winter months I will add some soft barley straw to their cages. Some just trample if down, others burrow in to it. I prefer to keep the soft straw for the floors and hay in the racks for the feed. If plenty of hay is on offer they shouldn't need to consume their bedding of straw. Thus it remains where it is needed!