Fleece smell/care query and scent marking

[Guineaboarpig]

I’ve noticed after 2 days fleece is a bit more whiffy. Fri-mon they had wood shavings bedding(was original plan but they had always had fleece as babies so I got a load of fleeces) and then fleece went down Monday. It smells more like a barn with horses. It isn’t a bad smell though. Used to country smells.

the chewable tunnel I have for them had quite a smell of its material when it went in so that probably add to it. They chew this a lot. Seem to like it. my wireless vacuum arrived so going to hopefully not terrify them with using that to spot clean poops. But other than the manual poop removal each day is fleece just smellier bedding? Those who use fleece do you full cage clean twice a week, not sure it will last a full week. Already the pigs have parts of cage they like and it all seems to focus one end. The other is less poop laden, for want of a better term.

as they are boys I know they line their scent, can anyone describe what a boar scent marking would smell like?

should I get a litter box that’s stuffed with hay and change that daily vibe seen some care videos and people do that

thanks.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Boars do scent mark and it’ll get slightly stronger as they get into their hormonal teens. Also you’re keeping three together....!

fleece should not smell though. Did you wick it all before using it? What absorbent layer are you using?

with boars the more you clean, the more they will scent mark. They will also scent mark more if you clean the entire cage out in one go - they’ll do it to make it smell like them again. So always leaving some soiled bedding in their cage can sometimes make them feel less of a need to Mark so much.

yes you can try putting all their hay in a box and then that will need to be removed daily, but you will need three boxes so each piggy has one (prevent issues etc)

 

[Guineaboarpig]

I did wash the fleece as per the instructions , 30 temp just the washing liquid. The fleeces are all in one. Guineadad sohave the layers. Newspaper is under them. The smell is more poopy than ammonia

as my dominant pig had been rumbling a bit I’m sure he has marked the territory which added to it. I think if increase the spot cleaning it should help. There was mess in the chewable tunnel too and this new had a strong Oder of its own from its material. I kept a throw covering half the cage and this is the area where stuff mostly congregates

 

[Sharpy]

We found that using White Vinegar works well, its a natural softener and also helps with the smell. We have 2 boars and they are a bit niffy now and then although it tends to be worst when they have just been to the loo and goes away overtime (or we are just getting used to it!).

 

[Siikibam]

With boars you have to be careful about cleaning them out too much. I would consider using pee pads in the high traffic areas and changing those out maybe every other day depending how dirty they are.

 

[Tigermoth]

I’ve only ever used fleece and find that the smells randomly seem to come and go. Last week they stank to high heaven, I nearly made a vet appointment as I was worried one had a urine infection. I changed the cage out, still stank. A couple of days later, no further change and the smells have gone.

Generally I do a full change weekly, give or take, and Spot clean daily. ( Elderly Neutered male and female)