Beddings
Aspen Shred
Is an excellent contact bedding for rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs. Unlike many other types of beddings it is manufactured, specifically for use as contact bedding.
It is a natural hardwood material, so it is a preferred alternative to softwood bedding materials. Also, unlike traditional hardwood chips, the random particle sizes of shredded aspen material give animals the ability to burrow and construct nests. This makes Shredded Aspen a good choice for use with breeding animals.
During production of Shredded Aspen, the product is exposed to high temperatures for several minutes. These conditions reduce the moisture content of the finished product to approximately 8%, and reduce harmful bacteria and other microorganisms.
This is used in almost all of our conventional rodent cages.
Corn Cob
Corn Cob bedding is heat dried to 8 % moisture content, it is virtually dust free and is produced in clean manufacturing facilities. It is available in various sizes we use 1/8 inch it offers greater surface area and better water absorption.
The most common type of bedding used by research facilities for isolator cages and it is used for that purpose here. Virtually all micro-isolator cages use corn cob bedding.
Water
Water is supplied in one of two ways in the LAF:
In water bottles:
The water is either delivered directly from the municipal water supply or it is supplied from the municipal water supply and then autoclaved prior to being distributed to the animals. All animals at Park Hall and RIA are supplied water in bottles directly from the municipal water supply. The BEB supplies water in bottles both directly from the municipal water supply and autoclaved. Autoclaved water being supplied to the immune-compromised animals and those animals housed in sterile cages and in the SPF.
Automated watering system:
Municipal water is filtered and then distributed to rooms and sippers throughout the facility in dedicated piping for the watering system. The system is flushed four times a day and the individual racks are flushed daily. Most conventional housed rodents and all large animals in both Hochstetter and BEB facilities are supplied water via the automated watering system.
