So here are my housing plans - have I missed anything?

[Pigglywig]

Have ordered 14inch grids - 2x4 so thats 28inches x 56 inches for 2 piggies

Gonna get some corrigated plastic for inside base.

Will place newspapers first, then incontinence pad (washable) then fleece.

Have a hidey house, hay rack and water bottle. I'll also find a cardboard box for tunnel or something else to play in.


How often should I expect to have to change fleece. They will be living in my hall so I want to minimise smell. Please tell me honestly..... do they smell? :{ How do you minimise any odour?

 

[Wiebke]

I would buy a plastic tray with at least 4 inch rim to place under the hay rack. Some piggies do like to sit in the hay, and that way, you don't have so much mess on the fleece - so make it big enough; you can get a suitable plastic dish in many kitchen departments of supermarkets or household shops like Ikea.

How often you change depends on your nose, I guess. With nine guinea pigs in my living room, I change every three days normally.

In order to neutralise any smell, you can add vinegar to your washing (where you put the softener) if your fleece is still a bit whiffy even after washing. Otherwise a normal cage cleaner is all you need to wipe out your cage.

 

[Lisajazz]

Yes they can smell. I have 12 now but they smelled when I had 2 and 4.

I spot clean every day (pick up all poop and change the hay in the tray) then full clean every third day but I only change the incontenance pads every 6 days as they don't smell quickly at all.

In your hall I would do the daily spot clean and you wont notice a smell. Then every 3rd or 4th day change the rest.

 

[Splat n Dexter]

Using fleece and towels I find I have to change the stuff every other day. This time we are on day 3 and the fleece is real wet on the side they like to pee. I wouldn't want to leave it that long again.

I think when I used equine bedding under the fleece things smelled fresher and lasted longer. Perhaps the pad you plan to use will do the same.

Let us know how you get on! Looking forward to seeing photos once it's complete.