GP bedding advice needed

[crocodileshavenoears]

My two GPs moved from their cage into a much larger playpen type enclosure in January (after a fox started hanging around I decided their days of going outside to the run were over so wanted to get them something bigger for inside).

I used woodshavings right across the whole pen instead of the newspaper and shredded paper I'd been using in the cage and I was so pleased with how absorbent it was compared to paper and how it didn't smell at all with a spot clean every day.

However GP1 has had a sore back leg and the vet thinks the wood shavings are too hard for him. So this week I tried Carefresh but it smells bad before it even goes in the pen!

What does everyone else use please?

Elderly in doors piggy has a thick layer of newspaper and hay. Her dearly departed friend used to cough and sneeze on wood shavings so I stopped using it.

We use Finacard - a shredded cardboard - which is great. Doesn't smell (we tried Megazorb and it made the entirely family want to retch constantly) and is reasonably absorbent. They have that over the entire base of the hutch (ours are indoor pigs) and then a heap of hay.

You can order Finacard online.

I will say though that although I know wood shavings are not good for pigs due to the harshness/dust/respiratory concerns etc, I still think they're the most absorbent and nicest smelling bedding! I now only ever use it when I've run out/waiting for a new delivery of Finacard, but whenever this happens I'm always struck by how much cleaner and fresher the hutch seems

I tried megazorb and never noticed a smell! I have my piggies in the kitchen (it's a big room, they are in an out of the way corner - not right next to the chopping board or anything!) I wasn't a huge fan though, it's strange stuff. I use easibed which is a sort of small wood chip I guess. Absorbant and almost dust free. No idea whether it would be softer than what you had.

Thanks everyone - that's a few ideas I'll give a go!

Fitch is great - it's very similar to Carefresh (but I've never noticed a smell) and far cheaper www.fitchrecycling.co.uk/animal-bedding/fitch-pet-bedding/fitch-pet-bedding-single-bale-20kg.html