Oat Bran as substrate experiance.....

[Gemstone Dragons]

Sorry i went to bed lol

After being asked alot of questions i thought i would give my experiance of a new substrate i am using incase it benefits others........

I have only been using it since monday but it was recomended to me by a good breeder friend who has been using it without problems for years - where dragons dwell.

It is just as absorbant as sand but the pieces are bigger so a sand scoop takes out chunks not just the poo lol
It smells oaty still which i supose masks the yucky smell sand gets once that have been to the toilet in it - no smell even after Punk has just been just lovely oats!
It has no impaction risk - i supose as its edible anyway so just breaks down.
It allows their natural behaviour of digging and making a bed for the night safely.
I havn't noticed much of a change in them yet but they have been digging alot and pacing the glass to come out less which must mean their more contented.

Apart from not being able to use a sand scoop the only problem i have found is the Oats getting everywhere when you get the beardies out but this just means i have to hoover more than once a day lol

As time goes by i will pdate this thread with any pro's or con's that arise so others can make their mind up for themselves and if other members use this product please feel free to add your experiances of it on here - i hadn't heard about it until it was discussed with the above breeder.

Jo

[ozyshane]

hi jo, i considered using this quite some time ago, but when i asked about any implications on here, i was told that it would swell in your beardies stomach when swollowed, it would rot very quickly if exposed to any moisture and that it contains flour mites? i cant remember which member said that, but i chose not to try it. keep us updated as to how you get on with it, as i might reconsider using it myself. shane

[Gemstone Dragons]

Sib recomended it and has used it for years hun.

I put to her the above points and was assured they would need to eat alot of the substrate for its swelling to cause a problem.
Also that the mites wouldn't be a problem if it was kept dry and thoroughly turned over/airated weekly.

A week on and even the very smelly Punk still smells gorgeous, i have been scooping the mess out but am having a scoop made with slightly bigger holes so i don't take half the substrate with it lol