New to fleece - it's smelly?

[NatalieGee]

Hi all. My boar has just had surgery to remove a mammary tumor, and our vet told us to set up a smaller cage for him while he recovers, so he is in a 2x3 C&C instead of his 2x6. We've just switched to fleece bedding, and I'm finding it very smelly - is that normal? I bought fleece cage liners that are two layers of anti-pill fleece with u-haul padding in the middle, as well as fleece potty pads made of the same. I washed them 3 times and they are wicking perfectly.

He's been on fleece for 2 days, during which time I have removed the poop every day, swapped out his potty pads under his house and by his food every day, and flipped the liner over. It smells like a barnyard! Exactly like manure at a barn.. does fleece always stink? Is it just because he's in a smaller cage? I invested a lot of money in fleece and I love how soft it is and how easy it makes it to clean the cage, but I was not prepared for this smell after years of paper bedding!

 

[Betsy]

My fleece does not smell. Do you put white vinegar in the conditioner bit of your washing machine so that it goes in the last rinse? This helps clean the machine and also helps to disinfect the fleece.

Here is our guide to all things fleece.

A Detailed Guide For Fleece Bedding

 

[piggieminder]

I've not found fleece to stink. Caspy's just been rubbing his bum round the cage to scent it and there is a smell at the moment but it soon goes. Fresh poop smells. I poop pick twice a day. I've stopped putting vinegar in my machine since an engineer told me that was what wrecked all the rubber hoses in my last machine. I now use a disenfectant designed for machine washing.

 

[Siikibam]

Is it the fleece or the hay? Is he perhaps scent marking? That can smell foul though not akin to a farmyard. And the smell is definitely not coming from him? Admittedly I do think smaller cages can smell quicker.

 

[Tigermoth]

No, they shouldn’t smell. One thing I’m wondering, is he ok? No urine infection or anything? If he’s had surgery he might have picked up something perhaps.

My hay stinks if I am lazy and just top it up rather than remove it and wash the tray too often….

Also if it’s too clean they get to work making it smell right to them. It might just calm down!

 

[dhill_cb7]

My fleece does not smell. What does smell (around day 3) is the towels under the fleece. I walk in from work and “yep cage cleaning time.”