Substrate question

I use cypress mulch for the retics and ball pythons, aspen for my milksnake when not in shed but a small layer of cypress mulch when in shed. Cypress mulch works great, especially for sheds.

I am thinking of chipping my own aspen here. Aspen are very common and basically not to desirable. My brother has plenty of land and a chipper using the power take off on the tractor. It wouldn't be quite shredded though even if I ran it through several times but it would be fairly small. The problem is that right now the trees would be fresh with the bark on. Can any one see any problems with this?

ladies&Gentelmen Go Green recycle those old magazines your wife or company buys.Well think about it guys who better to let you snake snuggle with then playmate of the month

Oh I forgot I also like to use bills that I get in the mail that I cant afford to pay it seems more satisfying that way. peace out the TINMAN

Originally Posted by kmurphy

I am thinking of chipping my own aspen here. Aspen are very common and basically not to desirable. My brother has plenty of land and a chipper using the power take off on the tractor. It wouldn't be quite shredded though even if I ran it through several times but it would be fairly small. The problem is that right now the trees would be fresh with the bark on. Can any one see any problems with this?

Shredding when fresh will result in decomposition. Short of having a way to dry it out either before (suggested) or after you'll only accomplish compost.

Shredding when fresh will result in decomposition. Short of having a way to dry it out either before (suggested) or after you'll only accomplish compost.

Thanks, I was thinking when I wrote my post that I probably should be thinking of next year. Cut the trees this year and chip them next fall. Probably not worth it but I like being in the woods and I really just want to see if it will work.

Just to add in a note in case there is anyone else looking at this thread wondering what kind of substrate to use, make sure and feed the animal outside the enclosure, like in a plastic rubbermaid, when using aspen or something related (loose substrate). I have only had an impacted snake once from this, but it was a hard lesson to learn. I have acutally modified my substrate to newspaper, with just a little aspen sprinkled on top. Seems to cut down on waste, absorb better than just newspaper and help keep humidity up.

Jeremy

Originally Posted by mxracer4life

Just to add in a note in case there is anyone else looking at this thread wondering what kind of substrate to use, make sure and feed the animal outside the enclosure, like in a plastic rubbermaid, when using aspen or something related (loose substrate). I have only had an impacted snake once from this, but it was a hard lesson to learn. I have acutally modified my substrate to newspaper, with just a little aspen sprinkled on top. Seems to cut down on waste, absorb better than just newspaper and help keep humidity up.

Jeremy

Never feed on any substrate.