I'm Debating Whether...

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abi2047

abi2047

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Hi everyone,
The piggies cage is due a clean out today and I'm debating whether to trial them on fleece or not.
How long can I keep the fleece in the cage until it needs changing?
Will the smell be noticeable?
 
The fleece needs to be washed at least twice before use - detergent only no fabric softener (otherwise the wee won't wick through)

I change the fleece every 4 - 5 days, sweep up poos each day.

I've never noticed a smell from it.
 
Bailey said:
The fleece needs to be washed at least twice before use - detergent only no fabric softener (otherwise the wee won't wick through)

I change the fleece every 4 - 5 days, sweep up poos each day.

I've never noticed a smell from it.
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The fleece has been washed many times as I use all my fleece for lap time and floor time.
 
Sainsburys are offering plain fleece for half price atm (about 2.50), and i got a couple for my fleece trial.

I have aquamax horse bedding underneath it, and I didnt wash it before it went in the cage, and i havent noticed the piddle sitting on top of it. Maybe the aquamax soaks it through the fleece. Admittedly it may also be that the fleece is poorer quality and therefore thinner and less to soak through.

It is easy to shake outside to get rid of the poo, and also excess food and hay why have been strewn everywhere!

I am still undecided if i will continue with it, i was going to do a trial for a couple of weeks. I used to keep on aquamax, but i would waste a lot of hay (they would sit on it and piddle on it, and then it would go to waste) and i only have a small organic waste bin and it would be filled after 1 clean out and a couple of my food waste bags. So towards the end of the week i was aware that they were wet underfoot all the time. I kept covering it with fresh hay/ shavings, but this produced more waste! At least with the fleece they are not wet underfoot, but i have only been using it since Saturday. I ahve yet to see if it makes a major improivement to the situation, esp if i have to wash the fleeces regularly.
 
I think primark fleece lasts longer, and you will be able to leave it in a good 4 or 5 days without changing - just pick up the poop ;)
 
Hi,

I use fleece, and I'd say give it a go:)) I use towels underneath to draw fluid from the surface of the fleece.

I have to change it every two to three days but if the piggies use the litter tray once a week:))
 
PAMELAKT said:
I think primark fleece lasts longer, and you will be able to leave it in a good 4 or 5 days without changing - just pick up the poop ;)
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I've got primark fleece, it's really good.

I've put the piggies on fleece to see how long it lasts until i need to change it. Only problem is there is hay all over the fleece now. rolleyes
 
abi2047 said:
I've got primark fleece, it's really good.

I've put the piggies on fleece to see how long it lasts until i need to change it. Only problem is there is hay all over the fleece now. rolleyes
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I use a litter tray then suspend a hayrack so that the hay falls in the litter tray when they eat it:))
 
lily 74 said:
I use a litter tray then suspend a hayrack so that the hay falls in the litter tray when they eat it:))
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I don't think my cage is big enough for the hay rack and litter tray but I will be getting a bigger cage soon.
 
ooooh i've been thinking about this for my boys but was unsure how to do,do you change the towels everyday?i haven't got the fleece yet so will venture out and get some then start washing it lots!
 
Well it is day 5 for me on fleece, and this morning it was really very damp, and the sawdust underneath was all clumped. I left the fleece hanging up during the day while they are outside so it can dry out a bit. I am going to try them with a litter tray and possibly build them a second layer for their cage so they will have a bigger space.
 
One thing I would check first Abi is that your mum is ok about you putting the dirty fleece in the washing machine. I pop ours inside an old pillow case and tie the end off with a hair elastic, that way any stray hay etc. is contained within the pillow case and doesn't go all over the machine! Before I wash the bedding I always take it outside and give it a good brush with a stiff dustpan brush to get the worst of the hay/poo off.

If you fleece is particularly badly covered in hay you could try using the hoover attachments to get the worst of it off.

When you have washed your fleece just check that there is no hair/hay left in the machine, if there is give it a quick wipe over with a damp cloth or pop it on a quick final rinse so you don't end up with piggy bits all over your clothes!
 
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