Does Anyone Use Fleece In Their Hutches?

[Betsy]

As some of you may know I have outside piggies. I have always used newspaper and hay to line the hutch with. In the spring when I get a shiny new hutch I am considering whether a change to fleece liners would be better instead. In that case what would I use as a base? Towels or newspaper? How many fleeces would I need? I'm going to get a double decker hutch as I have to make contingencies if my 2 boars fall out. At the mo they are fine living together with 3 sows but I know this is very rare. I think it works because they are both so laid back to be almost horizontal and Velvet keeps everyone in check!

 

[Tiamolly123]

I assume your hutch is outside, if it is, fleece would be a bad idea. It will get wet & frozen if it gets really cold. Last thing you want is damp fleece, I don't know, but I would have thought the piggies would get ill. I'd stick to wood shavings/or sawdust, if I was you.

 

[Kallasia]

As some of you may know I have outside piggies. I have always used newspaper and hay to line the hutch with. In the spring when I get a shiny new hutch I am considering whether a change to fleece liners would be better instead. In that case what would I use as a base? Towels or newspaper? How many fleeces would I need? I'm going to get a double decker hutch as I have to make contingencies if my 2 boars fall out. At the mo they are fine living together with 3 sows but I know this is very rare. I think it works because they are both so laid back to be almost horizontal and Velvet keeps everyone in check!

My piggies are indoor but I thought you might find this useful I've tried sawdust, fleece and fleece/wadding liners - here's my thoughts!
Bedding choices!

Spoiler: Text only version

Sawdust

Well, as is often the case with new owners, we gave sawdust a go. After a week I decided enough was enough. Binky kept eating it, Errol kept getting it in his bum and the carpet was no longer visible because of all of the sawdust which was being kicked out!

Fleece

Next, we moved onto fleece. This is basically cheap fleeces that have been wicked (washed 4-5 times with detergent but not softener) before use. We’ve used fleeces right up until yesterday and they have been okay. The main issue has been that are not made to measure and are not amazing at keep the pigs dry and smell-free. They were MUCH better than sawdust though.

Liners

On Tuesday night, my custom made cage liners arrived from pawsup4cosypets and already it’s making a huge difference.

If you’re not familiar with cage liners, the most common type and the ones I have are fleece, then wadding, then fleece all stitched together. As pawsup puts it:

“They are made from double layered fleece with an inner core of polyester wadding. This design allows moisture to soak through leaving the surface, and your pets, dry.”

Ease of Use

Firstly, don’t underestimate how amazing made-to-measure products are! Instead of stretching fleeces, tucking them under the cage corner, having to get Henry to lift up whilst I crawl under the upper floor, they just slot right in. Easy as that! No faffing. Just make sure you measure up correctly.

Comfort

The liners are 3-4 inches thick and my pigs love them. When I first put them down they were both running around squeaking so excitedly. Binky has since been sprawling out as much as possible – I think it is soft on his tummy and kind on his older-piggy joints! Errol has been charging around like there’s no tomorrow!


The wadding in the middle makes a big difference, especially to older piggies. Binky has trouble with wetting himself – Errol moves but Binky will sit unaware in his own wee – and so dryness is a very important factor. The fleece wicks away the liquid but instead of it then sitting just underneath and the pigs walking on damp fleece, the wadding absorbs it. Binky’s bum is beautifully dry!

Washing

They are of course machine washable. No fabric softner of course (did you know that’s what stops your towels being as absorbent as when you first got them?!) but detergent is fine. I think, in hindsight, several smaller liners would have been easier to wash rather than one massive one, essentially a duvet… but hey, we’ll see!


All in all, we’re happy and the pigs are happy – huzzah!

 

[Piggy mum]

My pigs have towels under their fleece. I think fleece outside would be good in the warmer months as you said, but I imagine this time of year it could get damp and cold?

 

[Betsy]

I assume your hutch is outside, if it is, fleece would be a bad idea. It will get wet & frozen if it gets really cold. Last thing you want is damp fleece, I don't know, but I would have thought the piggies would get ill. I'd stick to wood shavings/or sawdust, if I was you.

My pigs have towels under their fleece. I think fleece outside would be good in the warmer months as you said, but I imagine this time of year it could get damp and cold?

That was one of my concerns which is why I haven't changed to it yet. At least with newspaper and hay it is easy to change when it does get wet. I can't have my piggies inside as I have no room for them and I suffer from terrible hay fever from the hay and so does my son. I have winterproofed the hutch as best as I can and they have snugglesafes and lots of fur lined hideys and snuggle snacks.

@Tim has helped alot with all these preparations for winter including helping me to put a false floor on to hutch which has a run straight onto the ground. Thanks Tim! I owe you a drink at the next Southern Meet!

 

[Piggy mum]

I think you would be best sticking to the hay and newspaper, that way you can pile it up loads and it’ll be lovely and cosy for them I know how you feel it’s always such a worry trying to winterproof everything!

 

[Tiamolly123]

My piggies are indoor but I thought you might find this useful I've tried sawdust, fleece and fleece/wadding liners - here's my thoughts!
Bedding choices!

Spoiler: Text only version

Sawdust

Well, as is often the case with new owners, we gave sawdust a go. After a week I decided enough was enough. Binky kept eating it, Errol kept getting it in his bum and the carpet was no longer visible because of all of the sawdust which was being kicked out!

Fleece

Next, we moved onto fleece. This is basically cheap fleeces that have been wicked (washed 4-5 times with detergent but not softener) before use. We’ve used fleeces right up until yesterday and they have been okay. The main issue has been that are not made to measure and are not amazing at keep the pigs dry and smell-free. They were MUCH better than sawdust though.

Liners

On Tuesday night, my custom made cage liners arrived from pawsup4cosypets and already it’s making a huge difference.

If you’re not familiar with cage liners, the most common type and the ones I have are fleece, then wadding, then fleece all stitched together. As pawsup puts it:

“They are made from double layered fleece with an inner core of polyester wadding. This design allows moisture to soak through leaving the surface, and your pets, dry.”

Ease of Use

Firstly, don’t underestimate how amazing made-to-measure products are! Instead of stretching fleeces, tucking them under the cage corner, having to get Henry to lift up whilst I crawl under the upper floor, they just slot right in. Easy as that! No faffing. Just make sure you measure up correctly.

Comfort

The liners are 3-4 inches thick and my pigs love them. When I first put them down they were both running around squeaking so excitedly. Binky has since been sprawling out as much as possible – I think it is soft on his tummy and kind on his older-piggy joints! Errol has been charging around like there’s no tomorrow!


The wadding in the middle makes a big difference, especially to older piggies. Binky has trouble with wetting himself – Errol moves but Binky will sit unaware in his own wee – and so dryness is a very important factor. The fleece wicks away the liquid but instead of it then sitting just underneath and the pigs walking on damp fleece, the wadding absorbs it. Binky’s bum is beautifully dry!

Washing

They are of course machine washable. No fabric softner of course (did you know that’s what stops your towels being as absorbent as when you first got them?!) but detergent is fine. I think, in hindsight, several smaller liners would have been easier to wash rather than one massive one, essentially a duvet… but hey, we’ll see!


All in all, we’re happy and the pigs are happy – huzzah!

If my piggies had fleece that was not tucked in they would spent half of there lives going under & hiding. As it is one of my girls keeps lifting up the pee pads & hides.

 

[Lady Kelly]

That was one of my concerns which is why I haven't changed to it yet. At least with newspaper and hay it is easy to change when it does get wet. I can't have my piggies inside as I have no room for them and I suffer from terrible hay fever from the hay and so does my son. I have winterproofed the hutch as best as I can and they have snugglesafes and lots of fur lined hideys and snuggle snacks.

@Tim has helped alot with all these preparations for winter including helping me to put a false floor on to hutch which has a run straight onto the ground. Thanks Tim! I owe you a drink at the next Southern Meet!

I found fleece outdoors struggled when the temperature drops and there's moisture in the air as it doesn't dry out as quickly as normal. It always felt a little damp to me which is why I went on to aubiose. I'm planning on complementing it with fleece tunnels and hideys though as at least they are easier to change more regularly

 

[eileen]

i use vet bed with puppypads underneath in the main area,in bedroom area use bedding aubiose or flax bedding ,with lots of hay,i use fleece liners in the spring and summer.vetbed does not seem to get damp or freeze in the winter.x

 

[Betsy]

I found fleece outdoors struggled when the temperature drops and there's moisture in the air as it doesn't dry out as quickly as normal. It always felt a little damp to me which is why I went on to aubiose. I'm planning on complementing it with fleece tunnels and hideys though as at least they are easier to change more regularly

Where do you source your auboise from @Lady Kelly?

 

[eileen]

Aubiose is sourced at a local feed/farm shop in leicestershire !it is fab bedding ,very absorbent,i use it in my outside hutches.xx

 

[Betsy]

I'll be interested to give it a try. I tried Back 2 Nature earlier in the year but I didn't like it much and it wasn't popular with the pigs either!

 

[Lady Kelly]

I'll be interested to give it a try. I tried Back 2 Nature earlier in the year but I didn't like it much and it wasn't popular with the pigs either!

If you go direct to the aubiose website it should list your local stockists

 

[Piggy mum]

I'll be interested to give it a try. I tried Back 2 Nature earlier in the year but I didn't like it much and it wasn't popular with the pigs either!

I used this before and it also became extremely expensive!

 

[Betsy]

I used this before and it also became extremely expensive!

That is one reason why I didn't like it! It also all separated when it got wet and I found it very difficult to sweep up properly.

 

[Deleted member 114675]

Where do you source your auboise from @Lady Kelly?

If you go direct to the aubiose website it should list your local stockists

about finding a local stockist. I have heard of people buying it off places like Amazon - but the delivery cost is so high it isn't cost effective , If you can't find a stockist on the website, see if you have an equine supplier who can get it in for you . I get mine from a local pet supplies who are happy to get it in for a small mark up on price .

I think there are some other hemp based beddings around - but watch out as some are scented .

 

[Betsy]

about finding a local stockist. I have heard of people buying it off places like Amazon - but the delivery cost is so high it isn't cost effective , If you can't find a stockist on the website, see if you have an equine supplier who can get it in for you . I get mine from a local pet supplies who are happy to get it in for a small mark up on price .

I think there are some other hemp based beddings around - but watch out as some are scented .

Thanks I'll have a look.

 

[Betsy]

Just had a look at my local suppliers and Botley Flour Mills is about 15 minute drive from here. I'll go there next week to have a gander.