disposal of aspen shavings

[tortoisenerd]

It's about time for me to change out my little guy's substrate of aspen shavings (and a bit of timothy hay). We have a wood-burning fireplace. Is there any reason why I wouldn't be able to burn the shavings if we already have a fire going? I've been spot cleaning so I don't think there will be much of anything in them, and they are dry.

Is aspen clean-burning? Any fumes possible from tortoise waste or the shavings themselves? If I burned it, would I have to avoid burning the hay too? Anyone done this, or have an alternative to just throwing the shavings away? My enclosure is about 8 square feet and although I have about 2-3 inches put down right now, I want to double that thickness next substrate change so we're talking about a large amount of shavings...

On a side note I live kinda near the Bean Farm (Western Washington) and they have an awesome deal on a huge bag of aspen (6 cubic feet for $20) if anyone else lives near them...I'd assume the shipping would be costly but picking it up isn't too expensive. I'm picking up a few bags next week.

 

[Yvonne G]

I would imagine that aspen would be a pretty good mulch if you separate it and mix it up real good.

Yvonne

 

[tortoisenerd]

No backyard or else that would be a good idea. Thanks!

 

[tortoisenerd]

Didn't end up burning it--too much of a hassle. I was impressed I fit it all in two grocery bags to take to the dumpster though. The new bedding I got little guy is awesome. It's the very fine shavings and is extra soft. I got an awesome deal--45 lb bag for $20, that I can probably stretch to about 6-8 substrate changes. I guess the 3 bags I bought will last quite a while! If anyone ever gets the chance to order from the Bean Farm I'd highly recommend them. I like supporting local businesses and great customer service is a bonus.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Hey Kate...I live in Corvallis Oregon maybe we could meet up and have coffee sometime and talk torts. I'd love to meet you and see your animals...

 

[tortoisenerd]

Maggie-Sounds fun if I'm ever down that way, or you're up in Seattle! I just have the one tort...don't think I'm going to be "allowed" any more (I'd get a Greek probably if I could). I'm having to work pretty hard to make sure him enclosure doesn't smell, matches with the furnishings, etc. My fiance loves Trevor almost as much as I do, but I think he'd freak if our house had more than one tort living in it and started to turn into a mini "zoo." I dream of getting a big tort. Maybe someday when we both have a yard and live in a warm climate.

 

[techiegrl]

Hey Kate,

I checked on line Bean Farm seems like a pretty good deal with their prices on Aspen. Right now I am buying finely shaved snake bedding (Aspen) also much softer can you post a picture of what the Aspen you bought looks like? Most of the other stuff I have seen or tried is cut in squares and seems rough so I decided to try the snake bedding which works awesome but is pricey.

Thanks

 

[tortoisenerd]

It is the finely shaved snake bedding type stuff (really soft). It was dusty right out of the package but once it settled down it's been great. Here's a picture next to some timothy hay. My little guy is actually under that pile right now!