Here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions:

How long has The Andersons been providing products to the lab industry?

The Andersons began milling cob in 1957 and first supplied the research community in 1962.

What are Bed-o’Cobs made from?

Bed-o’Cobs brand laboratory bedding is made from the dense, woody part of the corn cob.

What makes Bed-o’Cobs so absorbent?

Under a microscope, cob resembles a sponge. Its sponge-like characteristics allow the cob to absorb 2-6 times its weight in aqueous liquids. The cells trap and hold moisture, controlling ammonia levels. The resulting dry bedding does not allow bacteria growth, eliminating the presence of ammonia and associated odors, and providing a much healthier environment.

Why should I switch to cob if I am a wood user?

Cob’s properties make it a more absorbent bedding than wood, which means you would use less cob per cage – only about 1/2 as much, in fact! Most wood manufacturers recommend using a volume of .625″ or 5/8″ per cage. Due to Bed-o’Cobs absorbent properties however, you would only need a volume of about .25″ or 1/4″ per cage. Cob also absorbs from the bottom up, so the bedding on which the animals live is always dry.

Bottom line – Using Bed-o’Cobs bedding allows for less bedding per cage, fewer cage changes and happier animals.

What makes Andersons’ products “virtually dust-free?”

We have many aspirators in place along the production line, which function to remove most of the dust from the product. Deionizing knives are also in place at the point of bagging, and help to remove dust clinging to the product due to static electricity.

How many cages can be filled with a 1.25 cubic foot bag of Andersons’ product?

One of our standard 1.25 cu. ft. bags will fill 111 typical shoebox cages (78 square inches) to a 1/4″ depth (the depth we recommend in order to maximize the cob’s performance).

Does Bed-o’Cobs work with IVC or isolator cages?

Yes. In fact, Bed-o’Cobs has become the bedding of choice for these types of caging systems. Bed-o’Cobs actually holds and traps the urea found in urine that creates ammonia, allowing for fewer cage changes. Fewer changes lessens stress on the animals and allows for savings on bedding and labor.

Do you test for pesticides, heavy metals and toxins?

We have undergone independent testing since 1977. These tests show that the levels found in Bed-o’Cobs are always below the feed standards set by the NIH. In addition, our bedding and enrichment products are tested quarterly as part of of our Continuous Monitoring Program.

Why are your products packaged by cubic feet rather than by weight?

As an organic product, cob density weights fluctuate slightly throughout the year. If you were to fill by weight, you would have less cob in your bag periodically throughout the year, making it difficult to forecast your bedding needs. Filling our bag volumetrically provides you with a consistent and reliable number of cage fills per bag – a number you can count on each and every time!

How do I know if my irradiated product has really been irradiated?

There is an “intelligent chromatics” label that changes color from yellow to red when exposed to radiation.

What is the shelf life of Bed-o’Cobs?

As long as cobs are kept dry, shelf life is not an issue. Don’t believe us? Cobs have been found in Peru dating back 3000-6700 years!

How much product can I get on a truck load order?

A truckload can be 19 to 22 pallets, depending on shipping weights. Our goal is to optimize trucks by weight and space, in order to maximize the amount of product we ship.

What is the typical lead time for an order?

Typically we allow 7-10 working days.

Where do your cobs come from?

Our cobs come from seed corn producers throughout the USA.