Automatic Litterbox Central

I covered this subject in this thread: post17789.html#p17789

Here is a copy/paste of the pertinent info included in that post:

I originally was a LitterMaid user, for a few years. While using LM's, I read on this website a post from a guy who was using a type of chicken feed called Chicken Layer in his LM, and that it worked great. He said it was very much like The World's Best Cat Litter (TWBCL)

I picked some up and have been using it ever since, we're talking about 3-4 years now.

Chicken Layer really is basically the same as TWBCL. It might be a tiny bit chunkier, and doesn't have built-in deodorizer. But I just add a little powdered litterbox deodorizer and it works fine. At about $12.00 for 50 lbs vs. $8.00 for 8 lbs (the going price for TWBCL around here), it was a hell of a great alternative. (LitterMaid makes their own litter, and it also is a dried corn product, very similar to TWBCL.)

That's what I've been using in my SmartScoop. I rarely have any issues with clumps being flung or pushed over the end lip (I have the higher one that came with the upgrade kit) as I've seen reported by a lot of clay litter users here.

I still have the issue everyone has with accumulation of soiled litter forming a layer on the bottom of the tray. With multiple cats, this requires a daily scooping.

Still a major improvement over LitterMaids, and with as many cats as I have, there's no comparison to using a non-automatic litterbox.

I have, when unable to get to my feedstore, used SwheatScoop. That works maybe a touch better than the chicken layer, but costs more than twice as much.

Note if you haven't read my posts about chicken layer in the LM forums: brand and type of layer matters. The ones I have used successfully are Dumor and Layena. Dumor is available at Tractor Supply Company stores, and is specifically labeled as "crumble." Layena is what I get regularly at a local feed store. Last time I picked up a bag, they asked me "pellets or crumble." That was the first time I had been informed that it even came in more than one form. I asked for crumble, and when I opened it a few days later, was chagrined to find they'd given me pellets. The pellet form is a lot like Feline Pine. Doesn't work in automatic litterboxes, I'm afraid.

I picked up another brand, the name of which I don't remember, from a feedstore that I do not frequent. It was horrible. Really large granules that were practically pellets, and it smelled bad.

If you want any further info or have questions about chicken layer as litter, feel free to ask.

Camille

This is an update I just added today:

Just an update.

As of the date of this post (8/7/09), I am still using primarily Layena chicken layer crumbles with 2 of the most upgraded SmartScoop litterboxes and 11 strictly indoor cats.

The cost of the layer has gone up to now about $13.00 including tax. I buy appx. 1 50 lb bag of Layena each month and 1 container of Tidy Cat litter deodorizer as well, making my monthly expense on litter about a total of $16.00.

I have no plans to change litters, still. The chicken layer is still my 1st choice. I am moving out of state soon and hope I will be able to find a feed store that sells Layena or a Tractor Supply Company store that sells Dumor where I'll be living.