Wood Pellets/Chips Eagle Valley Pine Pellets?

[JessicaS]

This bedding was mentioned in an older thread without much info on it and I tried to quote and reply but it said it was too old to reply to it.

Anyway, the local feed store recommended this "Eagle Valley" pine pellets for the piggies. They said they have regular customers who swear by it (I also got the impression that these people were indiscriminate breeders ugh.)

One thing that I wonder about is that it says the pellets absorb and expand. If the piggies eat it (and you know they will) wouldn't it hurt them if it expanded in their bellies?

Thanks in advance for any advice, or opinions!

 

[gooberific]

My first question would be is it kiln dried pine of some sort? I try to avoid pine altogether due to the phenols, whether it's dried or not.

As far as a pelleted type of bedding, I'm trying Yesterday's News right now, and I don't notice them really expanding when wet -- but I might be glancing in and confusing them with poops. The first time I put it in, my boys did take it into their mouths (probably thinking it was an oversized pellet) and promptly let it drop. I think it stinks, though, so I won't be using it again after this bag is empty, but other people swear by that.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

If it's something that expands and they ingest it, yes it could be dangerous. This stuff is probably a lot like Feline Pine. I tried that in a litter box once and hated it. It disintigrates into sawdust when it's wet.