Chickens are a joy to keep and with the right chicken bedding and care you can ensure your coop stays fresh all year round.
There is something magical about keeping chickens; there is nothing better than having fresh free range eggs whenever you need them and seeing your chickens roam free in your back garden or yard.
There’s no doubt that fresh eggs certainly taste better. And if you have children, keeping chickens will teach them about caring for livestock, help to develop responsibility and will also help them learn about where their food comes from.
However, one of the most off-putting things about keeping chickens is the smell in summer as the chicken coop can quickly fill up with droppings, feathers and rotten food. However, with the right care and chicken bedding you can make your chicken coop virtually odour free, regardless of the outdoor temperatures.
Chicken Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.
Chicken Bedding - How to Use It
If you want to avoid your chicken coop smelling in the summer, the chickens must first have enough space to roam around the coop.
The recommended space is four square feet per bird if they have an outdoor pen and are just kept in the coop overnight, and ten square feet per bird if they are kept in the coop all the time.
This is because levels of ammonia will build up in the air of a coop that’s too small and can make your chickens susceptible to disease.
Another way to avoid smells in summer is to check your coop to make sure there are no leaks and this will prevent a build-up of dampness. If a coop is wet for long period of time it can start to smell and cause disease.
SmartBedz chicken bedding and chicken litter is advisable for use on the floor of the coop and this can also be used in nesting boxes. Used on the coop floor, it will absorb moisture and prevent odour. A good layer of chicken bedding in the nesting boxes will help keep your chickens cosy and warm while they are nesting and will protect the eggs so that they don’t break.
SmartBedz chicken litter and chicken bedding is highly absorbent as the pellets can swell to up to four times their size on contact with moisture. It is also a natural odour suppressant so it will keep your coop fresh.
The coop should be cleaned at least once a week. However, if you use SmartBedz you can cut down on this task by spot cleaning the coop daily. It is the most cost-effective way too. By using specially designed scoop with holes in, all you have to do is just trowel out the dirty chicken litter pellets (which can be identified by their size) and the clean pellets will drop right through and back onto the floor of the coop.
Chicken coops need regular clean outs as the chicken droppings can contain harmful bacteria and if this is left lying on the coop floor and eaten by other chickens, it can cause illness.
Another way of cutting down on smells is to put the food in a container instead of on the floor and clean this container regularly so the food is not left to rot. Clean, fresh water and food will help keep your chickens healthy.
Chicken Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.
Benefits of SmartBedz Chicken Bedding and Chicken Litter
There are many benefits to using SmartBedz chicken bedding and chicken litter, especially during summer months.
It works to keep odours at bay, which not only provides a comfortable environment for your chickens to live in, but it is also more pleasant for the owner too, especially when they have to clean out the coop.
SmartBedz chicken litter and chicken bedding is safe to use as there are no sharp stalks that can cause injuries and as your chickens are likely to peck at it, it is completely safe for them to ingest.
Another benefit of SmartBedz chicken litter and chicken bedding is that it has been heat treated to get rid of mites that can affect the health of your chickens. In addition, it has had the dust extracted during the manufacturing process so it is virtually dust free which is not only healthier for the chickens, but their owners too.
SmartBedz is eco-friendly too as you can easily get rid of the dirty chicken litter by putting it on your compost heap.
Chicken Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Is It Safe to Let My House Rabbit Run Free in the Garden?
You have got your house rabbit safely housed and comfortable with good, absorbent rabbit litter and a sufficient supply of comfy rabbit bedding, but when the sun starts to shine, many pet owners are tempted to let their rabbit have a run in the garden.
Making sure your rabbit gets regular exercise is vital to their health and well-being. However, with this in mind, there are certain safety factors and precautions that you should make when you let your rabbit out to play in your back garden and we shall examine some if these here.
Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Pests
Flystrike is deadly to a rabbit and can affect not only outdoor rabbits, but indoor bunnies too. This is caused by the green bottle fly, and other fly types, which lay eggs on live rabbits.
These flies are attracted to damp fur and a wet or dirty groin area. Overweight, elderly or long-haired rabbits are particularly at risk because they are unable to clean themselves properly.
It helps if you regularly check your rabbit to make sure your pet is dry and clean when it is let free. You can also cut down the risk of flystrike by using super-absorbent rabbit litter and rabbit bedding such as SmartBedz. This soaks up urine and helps keep your rabbit dry and comfortable.
Another benefit of SmartBedz rabbit litter and rabbit bedding is that it is a natural odour suppressant - and suppressing odour helps make your rabbit less attractive to flies. Make sure you spot clean your rabbit’s cage daily and replace the dirty rabbit litter with a clean layer of SmartBedz at least once a week.
Before you set your rabbit loose in the garden, be sure to inspect your rabbit’s skin and fur, especially the behind area, and again before you bring your pet in. If your rabbit has any pre-existing skin problems such as wounds or sores, it is best to keep your bunny inside until these are healed.
There are also other insects can put your rabbits are risk. Fleas can cause disease and the deadly virus myxomatosis is transmitted via biting insects such as mosquitoes, mites and lice. Some inspects can also be transmitted via dust from hay. However, SmartBedz rabbit litter and rabbit bedding has been heat treated to help eliminate pests and to keep your rabbit healthy.
Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Escape
Younger rabbits and more inquisitive species will want to explore and can easily burrow, dig, or squeeze their way under fences. They can also make small holes in mesh fencing.
Carefully examine your garden or courtyard area and actively look for any escape routes and block them. If it is impossible to make sure your garden is completely secure, you will need to provide an enclosed run of some kind.
The minimum recommended size of an enclosed run is 6 ft x 4 ft and there are various runs available - or you could even make your own. Make sure the rabbit run has a roof to keep predators out and to stop your rabbit escaping. This should be tall enough so your rabbit can stand on its hind legs.
Ideally you should attach the run to your rabbit’s sleeping quarters, so it has a shaded area and somewhere to hide. If you do this, make sure its sleeping quarters has a layer of rabbit litter or rabbit bedding to keep your pet cosy and comfortable.
Rabbit pens can come in many forms, some of these are: apex runs (which can be folded flat when not in use), wire runs (best used under supervision), metal runs, wood and mesh runs, and aviaries.
Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Attack
Rabbits are prey animals and will be of great interest to predators such as foxes, cats and dogs. Remember that foxes do not only roam the countryside, but can also be found in urban areas too. You will need to provide a run with a roof on to protect your rabbit from attack.
Make sure that the roof and sides of the run are firmly fixed so the rabbit can’t push them open or they do not get blown away. The wire mesh should also be small enough to prevent predatory animals putting their paws through.
Rabbit Bedding - (link to http://www.smartbedz.co.uk/index.cfm/fa/Rabbit) click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Stress
Even if they are not actually under threat, rabbits can get very stressed if they sense other animals nearby. You can spot signs of stress in your pet if they are trying to hide, thump the ground with their back feet, and are constantly upright, sniffing and listening with upright ears. On the other hand, a relaxed rabbit is one that is feeding, lying down or sitting with its ears flat.
Again, the solution to a stressed bunny is to provide an enclosed run and or temporary hutch for your rabbit to hide in. Otherwise it may well try to escape and a frightened rabbit is extremely hard to catch!
Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Making sure your rabbit gets regular exercise is vital to their health and well-being. However, with this in mind, there are certain safety factors and precautions that you should make when you let your rabbit out to play in your back garden and we shall examine some if these here.
Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Pests
Flystrike is deadly to a rabbit and can affect not only outdoor rabbits, but indoor bunnies too. This is caused by the green bottle fly, and other fly types, which lay eggs on live rabbits.
These flies are attracted to damp fur and a wet or dirty groin area. Overweight, elderly or long-haired rabbits are particularly at risk because they are unable to clean themselves properly.
It helps if you regularly check your rabbit to make sure your pet is dry and clean when it is let free. You can also cut down the risk of flystrike by using super-absorbent rabbit litter and rabbit bedding such as SmartBedz. This soaks up urine and helps keep your rabbit dry and comfortable.
Another benefit of SmartBedz rabbit litter and rabbit bedding is that it is a natural odour suppressant - and suppressing odour helps make your rabbit less attractive to flies. Make sure you spot clean your rabbit’s cage daily and replace the dirty rabbit litter with a clean layer of SmartBedz at least once a week.
Before you set your rabbit loose in the garden, be sure to inspect your rabbit’s skin and fur, especially the behind area, and again before you bring your pet in. If your rabbit has any pre-existing skin problems such as wounds or sores, it is best to keep your bunny inside until these are healed.
There are also other insects can put your rabbits are risk. Fleas can cause disease and the deadly virus myxomatosis is transmitted via biting insects such as mosquitoes, mites and lice. Some inspects can also be transmitted via dust from hay. However, SmartBedz rabbit litter and rabbit bedding has been heat treated to help eliminate pests and to keep your rabbit healthy.
Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Escape
Younger rabbits and more inquisitive species will want to explore and can easily burrow, dig, or squeeze their way under fences. They can also make small holes in mesh fencing.
Carefully examine your garden or courtyard area and actively look for any escape routes and block them. If it is impossible to make sure your garden is completely secure, you will need to provide an enclosed run of some kind.
The minimum recommended size of an enclosed run is 6 ft x 4 ft and there are various runs available - or you could even make your own. Make sure the rabbit run has a roof to keep predators out and to stop your rabbit escaping. This should be tall enough so your rabbit can stand on its hind legs.
Ideally you should attach the run to your rabbit’s sleeping quarters, so it has a shaded area and somewhere to hide. If you do this, make sure its sleeping quarters has a layer of rabbit litter or rabbit bedding to keep your pet cosy and comfortable.
Rabbit pens can come in many forms, some of these are: apex runs (which can be folded flat when not in use), wire runs (best used under supervision), metal runs, wood and mesh runs, and aviaries.
Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Attack
Rabbits are prey animals and will be of great interest to predators such as foxes, cats and dogs. Remember that foxes do not only roam the countryside, but can also be found in urban areas too. You will need to provide a run with a roof on to protect your rabbit from attack.
Make sure that the roof and sides of the run are firmly fixed so the rabbit can’t push them open or they do not get blown away. The wire mesh should also be small enough to prevent predatory animals putting their paws through.
Rabbit Bedding - (link to http://www.smartbedz.co.uk/index.cfm/fa/Rabbit) click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Stress
Even if they are not actually under threat, rabbits can get very stressed if they sense other animals nearby. You can spot signs of stress in your pet if they are trying to hide, thump the ground with their back feet, and are constantly upright, sniffing and listening with upright ears. On the other hand, a relaxed rabbit is one that is feeding, lying down or sitting with its ears flat.
Again, the solution to a stressed bunny is to provide an enclosed run and or temporary hutch for your rabbit to hide in. Otherwise it may well try to escape and a frightened rabbit is extremely hard to catch!
Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Friday, 27 July 2012
Where to Keep Your House Rabbit
Many rabbit owners choose to keep their pet inside the house for a number of reasons. It could be so you can interact with your rabbit more, it is easier change the rabbit litter whatever the weather, and you want to ensure your pet is warm and dry inside. But once you have made the decision to keep your rabbit indoors, where is the best place to keep it within your home? The answer may be different depending on the layout of your home and your preferences - but here are a few key factors to consider.
Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Hygiene
Rabbits are easily house trained and many pet owners provide a rabbit litter tray for this in addition to the appropriate rabbit bedding for its sleeping quarters.
For hygiene reasons, the rabbit litter tray and sleeping area needs to be kept well away from food preparation and eating areas. The smell of urine can be addressed with natural odour suppressing rabbit litter, such as SmartBedz, which gives you more options when it comes to siting your pet.
Cleaning out your pet can involve rabbit litter, rabbit bedding and other debris falling on to the floor, so it is best to avoid carpeted areas. If you do keep your rabbit on a carpeted area, lay down a rug, waterproof mat or other protective layer.
Using SmartBedz rabbit litter and rabbit bedding will reduce the amount of cleaning out you have to do because SmartBedz rabbit litter pellets are extremely absorbent and soak up to four times their size in moisture.
This rabbit bedding is ideal for both rabbit litter trays and sleeping quarters as it will keep your pet clean and dry. It is also a dust-free rabbit bedding which is not only important for rabbits, but it also makes the cleaning out process easier for the owners, especially if they are prone to allergies.
Crepuscular Habits
Crepuscular pets are animals that are most active during dawn and dusk. So avoid the bedroom unless you are happy with an early alarm call. Likewise your rabbit will want a dark and quiet area to sleep, so avoid rooms or locations which are very noisy, such as next to washing machines or TV sets, or rooms that are likely to have lights kept on all night.
For safety reasons, do make sure that your rabbit is kept away from electrical wires as they are likely to chew on these, which is deadly. To avoid this, rabbit proof your home. Conceal cables and make sure you use cable protectors.
It is also natural for your rabbits to have a go at gnawing furniture, curtains, wallpaper and household plants - and some of these plants can be toxic to a rabbit. Make sure you give your pet lots of attention, as well as toys and alternative things to chew on as this will help prevent this. Meanwhile remove all household plants that can be harmful to your pet.
Wherever you choose to keep your house rabbit, it should have an appropriate place to sleep and hide with a soft layer of rabbit bedding. One option is to keep a hutch indoors with the door open, so your rabbit can come and go as they please, particularly during the daytime when they are supervised.
Temperature
Rabbits are designed to withstand a certain amount of cold and should not get overheated. Avoid rooms which get too hot, either due to central heating (so keep your rabbit away from radiators), or very sunny rooms.
Also avoid draughts and sudden changes in temperature. So if you can, try to position your indoor hutch away from the front or back door.
Other Pets
Depending on what other pets you have, rabbits can find it stressful being around other animals, especially cats and dogs. While many rabbits can successfully live alongside other pets, leaving them alone together with a cat or dog can be deadly in some circumstances.
In this case, it is best not to force them to share a space, although house rabbits can get along with non-aggressive dogs or cats. Before you decide to do this, consider the temperaments of the animals involved.
Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Hygiene
Rabbits are easily house trained and many pet owners provide a rabbit litter tray for this in addition to the appropriate rabbit bedding for its sleeping quarters.
For hygiene reasons, the rabbit litter tray and sleeping area needs to be kept well away from food preparation and eating areas. The smell of urine can be addressed with natural odour suppressing rabbit litter, such as SmartBedz, which gives you more options when it comes to siting your pet.
Cleaning out your pet can involve rabbit litter, rabbit bedding and other debris falling on to the floor, so it is best to avoid carpeted areas. If you do keep your rabbit on a carpeted area, lay down a rug, waterproof mat or other protective layer.
Using SmartBedz rabbit litter and rabbit bedding will reduce the amount of cleaning out you have to do because SmartBedz rabbit litter pellets are extremely absorbent and soak up to four times their size in moisture.
This rabbit bedding is ideal for both rabbit litter trays and sleeping quarters as it will keep your pet clean and dry. It is also a dust-free rabbit bedding which is not only important for rabbits, but it also makes the cleaning out process easier for the owners, especially if they are prone to allergies.
Crepuscular Habits
Crepuscular pets are animals that are most active during dawn and dusk. So avoid the bedroom unless you are happy with an early alarm call. Likewise your rabbit will want a dark and quiet area to sleep, so avoid rooms or locations which are very noisy, such as next to washing machines or TV sets, or rooms that are likely to have lights kept on all night.
For safety reasons, do make sure that your rabbit is kept away from electrical wires as they are likely to chew on these, which is deadly. To avoid this, rabbit proof your home. Conceal cables and make sure you use cable protectors.
It is also natural for your rabbits to have a go at gnawing furniture, curtains, wallpaper and household plants - and some of these plants can be toxic to a rabbit. Make sure you give your pet lots of attention, as well as toys and alternative things to chew on as this will help prevent this. Meanwhile remove all household plants that can be harmful to your pet.
Wherever you choose to keep your house rabbit, it should have an appropriate place to sleep and hide with a soft layer of rabbit bedding. One option is to keep a hutch indoors with the door open, so your rabbit can come and go as they please, particularly during the daytime when they are supervised.
Temperature
Rabbits are designed to withstand a certain amount of cold and should not get overheated. Avoid rooms which get too hot, either due to central heating (so keep your rabbit away from radiators), or very sunny rooms.
Also avoid draughts and sudden changes in temperature. So if you can, try to position your indoor hutch away from the front or back door.
Other Pets
Depending on what other pets you have, rabbits can find it stressful being around other animals, especially cats and dogs. While many rabbits can successfully live alongside other pets, leaving them alone together with a cat or dog can be deadly in some circumstances.
In this case, it is best not to force them to share a space, although house rabbits can get along with non-aggressive dogs or cats. Before you decide to do this, consider the temperaments of the animals involved.
Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
What to Do with Your Rabbit When You Go Away
Britain has long been a nation of animal lovers and almost half of UK householders own a pet, such as a rabbit. While we all love our pets, who are very much a part of the family, some rabbits live up to 12 years so it is almost certain that you will want to go away on holiday or for a weekend break away during this time. Choosing the right person to feed and care for your rabbit, and replace your rabbit’s bedding, will be very much on your mind before you go.
Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Caring For Your Rabbit While You Are Away
If you are going on a week long holiday it is best to ensure that a responsible family friend or trusted neighbour looks after your pet. This is ideally someone who is well used to looking after rabbits. You can either take your pet and rabbit bedding to their house or they can drop by each day to feed your rabbit and give it a run.
The first step is to clean out the hutch thoroughly and provide a fresh layer of rabbit bedding before handing your pet over to someone else’s care. In addition to this, make sure that you provide the carer with dust-free rabbit bedding, and rabbit litter to use while you are away. If they are using SmartBedz rabbit bedding, or rabbit litter, advise them to spot clean the hutch daily to ensure your pet is clean and comfortable in your absence. Also provide adequate food for your rabbit and ask that fresh water is given daily.
One of the benefits of SmartBedz universal pet litter is that the appointed carer can use SmartBedz rabbit bedding and rabbit litter for all your pets - including cats, gerbils, hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, snakes, lizards and ferrets. This is a great space saver and is less time consuming as there is no need for the carer search your home to find the appropriate litter or bedding for the right animal.
Rabbits need regular clean outs because if they are housed in a dirty environment it can cause your pet to suffer and fall ill. This is why SmartBedz rabbit bedding is ideal for temporary carers because they can spot clean the hutch before your return. This is easy to do using a SmartBedz scoop with holes in as they just shovel out the dirty, swollen pellets, and the clean ones drop back into the cage.
If you decide to board your pets during your break, it will make the move easier for them by keeping grouped rabbits together. It will also help them adjust if they have a familiar environment, so bring along their toys, and dust free rabbit litter and rabbit bedding such as SmartBedz (although boarding facilities generally provide their own bedding). There are rabbit boarding facilities all over the UK - just search the internet to find one near you.
Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Caring for Your Rabbit on Weekends Away
While it is best that your rabbit is kept in the care of a friend, family member, or responsible neighbour when you go away, if you are absent for a night or a short weekend there are measures you can take if you leave your rabbit unattended.
Again make sure that you give your rabbit a thorough clean out before you go away so your rabbit is kept clean, healthy and happy. SmartBedz rabbit litter is a good option for this because it is highly absorbent and can soak up to four times its size in moisture. SmartBedz rabbit litter is also odour free so your rabbit should remain comfortable and contented while you are away.
Make sure that you give your rabbit fresh water just before you go, and that their water bottle is clean. One of the options for feeding your rabbit is to give them a Smart food block as a solution, which can last for up to four days.
While you won’t want to leave your rabbit for this long, a food block is a good option for a short break away if you can’t call on the services of a friend or neighbour during this time. SmartFoodz Meadow Delight is a convenient, hygienic and natural product for your rabbit to nibble on.
A single bar of SmartFoodz Meadow Delight is adequate for your rabbit, as long as they also have access to good quality hay. It has all the nutrients they need for a healthy balanced diet and gives your bunny something to gnaw on - it is also good for their teeth. Just hang it from the ceiling in your rabbit’s hutch to keep your pet content.
SmartFoodz Meadow Delight - click here to buy our new rabbit weekend food bar.
Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Caring For Your Rabbit While You Are Away
If you are going on a week long holiday it is best to ensure that a responsible family friend or trusted neighbour looks after your pet. This is ideally someone who is well used to looking after rabbits. You can either take your pet and rabbit bedding to their house or they can drop by each day to feed your rabbit and give it a run.
The first step is to clean out the hutch thoroughly and provide a fresh layer of rabbit bedding before handing your pet over to someone else’s care. In addition to this, make sure that you provide the carer with dust-free rabbit bedding, and rabbit litter to use while you are away. If they are using SmartBedz rabbit bedding, or rabbit litter, advise them to spot clean the hutch daily to ensure your pet is clean and comfortable in your absence. Also provide adequate food for your rabbit and ask that fresh water is given daily.
One of the benefits of SmartBedz universal pet litter is that the appointed carer can use SmartBedz rabbit bedding and rabbit litter for all your pets - including cats, gerbils, hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, snakes, lizards and ferrets. This is a great space saver and is less time consuming as there is no need for the carer search your home to find the appropriate litter or bedding for the right animal.
Rabbits need regular clean outs because if they are housed in a dirty environment it can cause your pet to suffer and fall ill. This is why SmartBedz rabbit bedding is ideal for temporary carers because they can spot clean the hutch before your return. This is easy to do using a SmartBedz scoop with holes in as they just shovel out the dirty, swollen pellets, and the clean ones drop back into the cage.
If you decide to board your pets during your break, it will make the move easier for them by keeping grouped rabbits together. It will also help them adjust if they have a familiar environment, so bring along their toys, and dust free rabbit litter and rabbit bedding such as SmartBedz (although boarding facilities generally provide their own bedding). There are rabbit boarding facilities all over the UK - just search the internet to find one near you.
Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop
Caring for Your Rabbit on Weekends Away
While it is best that your rabbit is kept in the care of a friend, family member, or responsible neighbour when you go away, if you are absent for a night or a short weekend there are measures you can take if you leave your rabbit unattended.
Again make sure that you give your rabbit a thorough clean out before you go away so your rabbit is kept clean, healthy and happy. SmartBedz rabbit litter is a good option for this because it is highly absorbent and can soak up to four times its size in moisture. SmartBedz rabbit litter is also odour free so your rabbit should remain comfortable and contented while you are away.
Make sure that you give your rabbit fresh water just before you go, and that their water bottle is clean. One of the options for feeding your rabbit is to give them a Smart food block as a solution, which can last for up to four days.
While you won’t want to leave your rabbit for this long, a food block is a good option for a short break away if you can’t call on the services of a friend or neighbour during this time. SmartFoodz Meadow Delight is a convenient, hygienic and natural product for your rabbit to nibble on.
A single bar of SmartFoodz Meadow Delight is adequate for your rabbit, as long as they also have access to good quality hay. It has all the nutrients they need for a healthy balanced diet and gives your bunny something to gnaw on - it is also good for their teeth. Just hang it from the ceiling in your rabbit’s hutch to keep your pet content.
SmartFoodz Meadow Delight - click here to buy our new rabbit weekend food bar.
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