Cleaning Hay

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Izzy_kins

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Hello,
I’ve just switched to fleece lining for my little boys. I was just wondering what’s best for spot cleaning hay/ hay containment. They just seem to chuck theirs everywhere. I know shaking it off would be easiest but I don’t want to unsettle them every day doing that.
Thanks
 
I don’t use fleece as I think it’s a bit unhygienic and can’t be bothered with washing it regularly. I just use the good old woodshavings with plenty of medow or Timothy hay
 
When i use fleece,i use a small hand held hoover to clean out the poos,use a rubber brush to remove hay when brushing fleece outside prior to putting in washing machine.use large high sided litter pans to contain large hay piles.@Betsy maybe able to link in the high litter trays,as this was the member who recommended them.
 
I gave up trying to keep my fleece clean and hay free a long time ago! Now the piggies have their way and their bedding is all hay! With the occasional fleece hideys and duvets! They definitely eat more of it when it's everywhere. Plus it's alot easier to clean!
 
Guinea lover 1982 said:
I don’t use fleece as I think it’s a bit unhygienic and can’t be bothered with washing it regularly. I just use the good old woodshavings with plenty of medow or Timothy hay
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No different to a cloth nappy really. It can be hygienic IF you put the work in. Wood-shavings aren't that great either as it contains phenols which irritate the lungs, skin, mucosa as well as damage the liver long term. IMO, not worth the risk.

To get hay off fleece I use dustpan and brush, shake off outside and use a rubber curry comb (meant for horses). Takes time but worth it. I've seen people use lint rollers and hand held vacuums too.

I've seen people cut a chunk out of a shallow storage box, made sure there's no sharp edges, filled with litter and put hay in like that. Contains it and easy to clean out.

Another option is use puppy pads and put hay on top. Will stop the majority of hay going on the liner
 
Engel said:
No different to a cloth nappy really. It can be hygienic IF you put the work in. Wood-shavings aren't that great either as it contains phenols which irritate the lungs, skin, mucosa as well as damage the liver long term. IMO, not worth the risk.

To get hay off fleece I use dustpan and brush, shake off outside and use a rubber curry comb (meant for horses). Takes time but worth it. I've seen people use lint rollers and hand held vacuums too.

I've seen people cut a chunk out of a shallow storage box, made sure there's no sharp edges, filled with litter and put hay in like that. Contains it and easy to clean out.

Another option is use puppy pads and put hay on top. Will stop the majority of hay going on the liner
Click to expand...
 
Guinea lover 1982 said:
I don’t use fleece as I think it’s a bit unhygienic and can’t be bothered with washing it regularly. I just use the good old woodshavings with plenty of medow or Timothy hay
Click to expand...
Fleece really isn’t unhygienic. I’ve been using it for many, many years with no issue. If you read our fleece guide it gives all the necessary details about care and washing etc. A Detailed Guide For Fleece Bedding.
 
Guinea lover 1982 said:
I don’t use fleece as I think it’s a bit unhygienic and can’t be bothered with washing it regularly. I just use the good old woodshavings with plenty of medow or Timothy hay
Click to expand...

VickiA said:
Fleece really isn’t unhygienic
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When I adopted my RB Piggy Pretty Patsy in September 2020, I was told that one of the reasons I could adopt her was because I used fleece. When washed regularly it really isn't a problem and a lot less waste too.
 
Guinea lover 1982 said:
I usually buy my woodshavings and hay from pets at home
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Just so you know, it doesn't matter where you get it from, all pine/spruce shavings contain phenols, you can't get rid of it.

Also watch the hay there. I don't know which hay you buy but I've had a lot of musty and mouldy hay from P@H. It's normally the tightly packed chopped stuff you get in 3kg bags (I think). So I stopped buying it. Note this is only my experience, I don't know if anyone else has had the same problem.

If I get any hay from p@h it's normally their long strand one. While more expensive it is better quality and pigs love it 😊
 
Engel said:
Just so you know, it doesn't matter where you get it from, all pine/spruce shavings contain phenols, you can't get rid of it.

Also watch the hay there. I don't know which hay you buy but I've had a lot of musty and mouldy hay from P@H. It's normally the tightly packed chopped stuff you get in 3kg bags (I think). So I stopped buying it. Note this is only my experience, I don't know if anyone else has had the same problem.

If I get any hay from p@h it's normally their long strand one. While more expensive it is better quality and pigs love it 😊
Click to expand...
Engel said:
Just so you know, it doesn't matter where you get it from, all pine/spruce shavings contain phenols, you can't get rid of it.

Also watch the hay there. I don't know which hay you buy but I've had a lot of musty and mouldy hay from P@H. It's normally the tightly packed chopped stuff you get in 3kg bags (I think). So I stopped buying it. Note this is only my experience, I don't know if anyone else has had the same problem.

If I get any hay from p@h it's normally their long strand one. While more expensive it is better quality and pigs love it 😊
Click to expand...
The last time I bought hay it was economy hay from my local pet store close by to where I stay. If I buy from pets at home it’s normally this one I buy
 
Guinea lover 1982 said:
The last time I bought hay from my local pet store it was economy hay but if I get it from pets at home it’s normally this one I buy

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/timothy-feeding-hay-3kg
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That's one of the ones I've had issues with as well as this one https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/pets-at-home-meadow-feeding-hay-with-timothy-3kg

If you find that it smells funny or find any damp or mould in it don't feed it. You can take it back even if you've opened it and they'll either refund or give you a different bale.

It doesn't matter where you get it from as long as it's not dusty, mouldy, damp or has a funky smell. The way I do it is if it doesn't smell like tea it's going back. :whistle: :))

(For everyone) On the topic of hay, we're due snow here in the UK for the next few weeks so make sure you have plenty in!
 
Engel said:
That's one of the ones I've had issues with as well as this one https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/pets-at-home-meadow-feeding-hay-with-timothy-3kg

If you find that it smells funny or find any damp or mould in it don't feed it. You can take it back even if you've opened it and they'll either refund or give you a different bale.

It doesn't matter where you get it from as long as it's not dusty, mouldy, damp or has a funky smell. The way I do it is if it doesn't smell like tea it's going back. :whistle: :))

(For everyone) On the topic of hay, we're due snow here in the UK for the next few weeks so make sure you have plenty in!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice . If I do have any issues I’ll definitely take it back
 
Guinea lover 1982 said:
The economy stuff I bought from my local pet store smelt lovely and fresh
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Ah that's good. Providing it stays like that and piggies enjoy it, there should be no reason to stop feeding it. My local pet shop doesn't sell hay. I either have to order online or go to p@h. It's great you've found somewhere local.
 
Engel said:
Ah that's good. Providing it stays like that and piggies enjoy it, there should be no reason to stop feeding it. My local pet shop doesn't sell hay. I either have to order online or go to p@h. It's great you've found somewhere local.
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My local pet store is a bit more expensive . But I’m a vip member at Pets at home
 
Izzy_kins said:
Hello,
I’ve just switched to fleece lining for my little boys. I was just wondering what’s best for spot cleaning hay/ hay containment. They just seem to chuck theirs everywhere. I know shaking it off would be easiest but I don’t want to unsettle them every day doing that.
Thanks
Click to expand...
I have a handheld vac whose sole job is to suck up pig poop 😂 It struggles with hay so I tend to just scoop that back into the hay tray by hand if she has been flinging it about.
 
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