Witborstzebravink

In my breeding cages I always use sand shells.

 Benefits of shell sand are:

- It smells nice and fresh

 - It is relatively cheap (€ 6.75 per 25kg)

Disadvantages of shell sand are:

 - Take almost humidity

 - Must be (1x per week) be excused because it quickly polluted.

- Is heavy, making the bin leads to obesity.

I am also looking for a replacement ground cover and have found two possible candidates, namely:

1. ZeOlite

2. Corbo

These products have the following characteristics:

Zeolite is a product that looks like cat litter, take it easy moisture and keep down and thus neutralizes odors, it is itself odorless. It is a heavy product, so the trash continues to cause obesity. A 25 kg bag costs around € 15, -, the product can no longer remain in the breeding cage  if you get rid of the weekly  manure moisture and high concentrations.

Corbo ground cover is a product based on a core corn, the grains are completely biodegradable. They neutralize odors and product rushes not. A bag of 10 KG cost around € 17, --, the product can no longer remain in the breeding cage when you weekly  rid of manure and moisture levels high. A big advantage is that this product weighs very little, which is good for the cage and the back of the garbage.

The next few weeks I take a test with both products, I will put on test the following points:

- Sustainability, how long the product can I leave the breeding cage.

 - Cost to use

- The advantages and disadvantages compared with shells and sand together.

In a sequel to this article, I keep you informed of my findings.

Hans de Boer

26 September 2009

The results of the investigation!

It is now October 9th and I use the two ground covers now display more than two weeks. What are my findings with Zeolite and Corbo?

Zeolite, the advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

1. Take absorbent

 2. Lasts longer than 14 days into the Zeolite is not as moist, contaminated grains away weekly!

3. Is not expensive to use than sand shells

 4. Rushes, and does not matter

Disadvantages:

 1. Breeding cage which keeps moisture remains wet.

 2. If moisture, fertilizer and seed together results in very fast germination

3.  Is sensitive to mold

 4. Is very heavy.

5. Accumulates in the cage which parts of the sand tray covered.

Corbo, the advantages and disadvantages:

 Advantages:

1. Take good moisture and this is again off by evaporation and dry so again.

2. Being taken to manure moisture which dries the manure and easy to remove from the product.

3. Lasts longer than 14 days with weekly cleaning (dirt and manure disposal).

 4. Is very light weight.

5. Although the light material is hoping it is not in the cage but remains evenly .

6. Rushes, and does not matter.

Disadvantages:

1. Is sensitive to mold, subject only to the manger where manure accumulates and under the water bottle.

2. Is more expensive than other products.

The cost to use a row of three products:

I prefer to Corbo, even though it is slightly more expensive. In a few weeks I will have to supplement this article with any new information.

Hans de Boer

9 October 2009