moss growing on hidey

[piggiemummy03x]

so i’ve noticed that on one of the wooden natural hideys i have for my girls, one side is starting to go a bit green, is this moss? if it is, is it safe for it to be in their cage? sorry if this is a silly thing to ask just wanted to make sure!

 

[Sweet Potato]

Can you add a photo so we can better understand what you mean

 

[Piggies&buns]

lichen, moss, mold - can all be green. I would be checking for issues with humidity/damp/inadequate ventilation if things are growing on the hides

Are you still covering their cage at night?

 

[piggiemummy03x]

Can you add a photo so we can better understand what you mean

of corse will go and get one!

 

[piggiemummy03x]

lichen, moss, mold - can all be green. I would be checking for issues with humidity/damp/inadequate ventilation if things are growing on the hides

Are you still covering their cage at night?

okay thanks! yes cage is being covered at night with mattress topper and polythene sheet

 

[piggiemummy03x]

heres some pics!

 

[Piggies&buns]

If that has appeared since you’ve had it, then I would say it is possibly because of something going on inside the shed? Are they peeing near the house and causing it to become damp? (it then rising from bedding and into the wood?)

You can probably stop covering the cage at night - it may help improve ventilation - what is the temperature in there at night? (Obviously it depends what is actually happening in your area, but I’ve not had to cover at night for weeks now)

 

[piggiemummy03x]

If that has appeared since you’ve had it, then I would say it is possibly because of conditions inside the shed?

You can probably stop covering the cage at night - it may help improve ventilation - what is the temperature in there at night? (Obviously it depends what is actually happening in your area, but I’ve not had to cover at night for weeks now)

wasn’t there last week! just noticed it as its cleaning day. at night it can get anywhere from 10-15 degrees depending on how the weather is on that day, i wonder if i should just cover them with the topper and not the plastic?

 

[Piggies&buns]

wasn’t there last week! just noticed it as its cleaning day. at night it can get anywhere from 10-15 degrees depending on how the weather is on that day, i wonder if i should just cover them with the topper and not the plastic?

I wonder if the wood is getting a bit damp and causing it maybe. It may be that there has always been some microorganisms in the wood which are now just taking hold.

I would personally be easing off on the coverings now to be honest. It’s not properly cold anymore and if they’ve got a house with hay to snuggle into, they are not likely to be cold.

 

[piggiemummy03x]

i’ve checked the rest and there isn’t any more, it’s literally just this one side of the ramp, heres a picture of the other side - completely fine!

 

[piggiemummy03x]

I wonder if the wood is getting a bit damp and causing it maybe. It may be that there has always been some microorganisms in the wood which are now just taking hold.

I would personally be easing off on the coverings now to be honest. It’s not properly cold anymore and if they’ve got a house with hay to snuggle into, they are not likely to be cold.

maybe, i don’t know how it would be getting damp though! maybe if all of it was going green but as its just one side its a bit strange! microorganisms.. is this something i need to worry about?
oh really! even though it can get to under 15 degrees? i just get so worried about them being cold.. they have a snugglesafe ans plenty of hides plus the big bed section of the hutch filled with hay now they are getting upstairs! whats the minimum temperature at night you’d say is safe for them to be in without covers on then? sorry for all the questions!

 

[piggiemummy03x]

I wonder if the wood is getting a bit damp and causing it maybe. It may be that there has always been some microorganisms in the wood which are now just taking hold.

I would personally be easing off on the coverings now to be honest. It’s not properly cold anymore and if they’ve got a house with hay to snuggle into, they are not likely to be cold.

lowest tonight is 13 degrees anyway (according to weather reports) so it shouldn’t get too cold! would you take off both the duvet and plastic sheeting or keep one on?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Maybe pee is seeping up through the wood?
Is that side against anything so it can’t breathe properly?


At 13 degrees outside, what is it in your shed?

For mine, 13 degrees outside At night, means my shed is going to be about 18
In the shed, at this time of year and at that outside temperature, I don’t do anything - no hutch covers (not had any for about four weeks), no snugglesafes (not been used since the end of March). They aren’t exposed to any of the elements and they’ve got hay in hides if they do want to snuggle up (I find them asleep out in the middle of the shed most mornings so they aren’t cold!).
If they were actually outside, I’d be doing it differently but the way my shed is, they don’t need it

 

[piggiemummy03x]

Maybe pee is seeping up through the wood?
Is that side against anything so it can’t breathe properly?


At 13 degrees outside, what is it in your shed?

For mine, 13 degrees outside At night, means my shed is going to be about 18
In the shed, at this time of year and at that outside temperature, I don’t do anything - no hutch covers (not had any for about four weeks), no snugglesafes (not been used since the end of March). They aren’t exposed to any of the elements and they’ve got hay in hides if they do want to snuggle up (I find them asleep out in the middle of the shed most mornings so they aren’t cold!).
If they were actually outside, I’d be doing it differently but the way my shed is, they don’t need it

i don’t think that would be possible due to the way it is but i could be wrong, nope its not against anything so it can breathe! 13 outside is at least 15 inside id say.. wow okay thankyou for sharing that information, its really helpful, maybe ill keep an eye on the temperature throughout the night and play it by the day!

 

[Piggies&buns]

i don’t think that would be possible due to the way it is but i could be wrong, nope its not against anything so it can breathe! 13 outside is at least 15 inside id say.. wow okay thankyou for sharing that information, its really helpful, maybe ill keep an eye on the temperature throughout the night and play it by the day!

If it is at least 15 inside, then I wouldn’t worry.
my concern is always that if you do too much now or indeed too early in autumn, then when it really is cold come winter, you will have nowhere left to go

 

[weepweeps]

I’ve not covered mine or used snugglesafes a in a few weeks now. I’d do a couple of nights with just one layer and snugglesafes, the next few nights with just snugglesafes,m and no cover, then they should be fine.

 

[piggiemummy03x]

If it is at least 15 inside, then I wouldn’t worry.
my concern is always that if you do too much now or indeed too early in autumn, then when it really is cold come winter, you will have nowhere left to go

thats very true!

 

[piggiemummy03x]

I’ve not covered mine or used snugglesafes a in a few weeks now. I’d do a couple of nights with just one layer and snugglesafes, the next few nights with just snugglesafes,m and no cover, then they should be fine.

thankyou!

 

[piggiemummy03x]

well guys the temperature in the piggie shed dropped to 15.7 degrees at its lowest last night, i only kept the duvet on as didn’t want to take away all the covers too quickly. they still have the thermal cover on back part of the hutch that i probably won’t take off until its really warm (nightmare to take off and on again!) but i may over the next few days take off the duvet as well if you think they will be okay. i get extremely anxious about everything so i’m so sorry for all my posts and questions, i really appreciate all the guidance and advice!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Don’t be sorry for asking questions - it’s what we are here for!

At that temperature, I really wouldn’t be worrying too much. If they are feeling chilly, they will snuggle up somewhere. What were they doing when you went to them this morning?

 

[piggiemummy03x]

Don’t be sorry for asking questions - it’s what we are here for!

At that temperature, I really wouldn’t be worrying too much. If they are feeling chilly, they will snuggle up somewhere. What were they doing when you went to them this morning?

okay brilliant! to be honest they are normally out anyway when i come out to open them up and give della her meds, so like you say, if they where cold they’d snuggle up in the hides!