Best bedding for use with FED

[Lex Kravitz]

FED uses infrared photo-interrupter beams for detecting the pellet (and for nosepokes in FED3).  If the photo-interrupter is blocked by something other than a pellet FED will think there is a pellet and with-hold dispensing another one until it is removed.  We have found that wood-chip bedding has a high probability of blocking the IR beam and causing this issue. To avoid this issue we use a product called "isopads" for bedding during FED experiments.  

[Dan Brierley]

Nice tip! We've been keeping the amount of wood-chip in cages very low (<1cm deep) which minimises this issue, but still occurs occasionally. How long do these pads last if keeping mice in there 24/7?

[Lex Kravitz]

Hey Dan,

The isopad lasts at least a week.  2 weeks is probably the max before it gets too gross.  Here are photos of an isopad after 3 days with a mouse:

And 1 week:

[zane andrews]

Thanks Lex - this directly addresses the issue we have too. I'll take a look at these isopads.

[Lex Kravitz]

Hi Zane,

Glad you found this page!  We also had good luck with a paper bedding that was "fluffier".  The fine woodchip bedding is problematic and I try not to use it at all with FEDs.  Best,  -Lex

[Yuhui Luo]

Hi all,

I'm not very sure about the cost of the isopads that people are using, but I've been using Alpha Pads from Shepherd and they work well too. They also last about a week of use. Shepherd sells it through Newco Distributors in southern California, and it costs 233 dollars for 400 sheets (~$0.58 per sheet). The default is unirradiated (you can autoclave them yourselves), but they can do the irradiation for you, and the cost is $259 (~$0.65 per sheet). I think that it might be a cheaper option than isopads and so it might be worth sharing with all of you. 

Best,

Sunny

[Lex Kravitz]

Thanks for posting this Sunny!  I didn't know there was another option, so we've been using the more expensive Iso-pads.  I'll give these a try next time we order them!  -Lex

[Li Li]

Hi, 

Our animal facility provides alpha-dri and I found it is a nice replacement for wood bedding. 

Best,

Li Li

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