Bedding - Complicated Needs! ;)

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PixelPace

New Born Pup
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Hi all

Firstly, thank you all so much for all your help. This is my first post and first contact but have been avidly reading this forum and gained much advice since getting my piggies last December.

Last December they moved in at 6 weeks old into an indoor, two storey cage, and I used Puppy Pads and fleece. I found this worked okay but Honey and Snowy like to pee up against the walls so pee would sit under the plastic at the bottom in a pool. Not nice! I coped quiet well with the laundry.

Over spring and summer they have been in a Chicken Coop in the Garden, which they LOVE! They get regular fresh air and loads of space to run around outside within the chicken run and eat as much grass as they like. I'm using newspaper in the main area and newspaper with Hay in the bedroom.

MY ISSUE AND MY QUESTION:

The piggies pee everywhere but mostly on their hay, which I hate, so I'm thinking of withdrawing hay completely except for in a new hay ball feeder to keep it dry.

I am considering VETBED as it would, I feel, last longer in-between changes than the fleece.

1. Do I need anything under the Vetbed to mop up wee, and if so, what? How often will those two layers need changing?

2. If i go for some sort of absorbant substance ( I was reading about one that only needs to be changed one a week) how easy is it to clean out. I'm used to just lifting out paper and pads. Is it a nightmare to scoop with dustpan and brush. Does it congeal at the bottom of the cage?

3. Will they need something to snuggle into in their pigloo and piggie pod? I'm happy to cut the Vetbed to size but not keen to put hay in them like i did before as they will just pee on it, I think.

4. I'm considering a tray of hay to encourage peeing in a certain area as they now seem to associate hay with pee LOL!

So sorry this is so long! :) x
 
1. Yes, VetBed wicks the pee straight through so you'd need something like a puppy pad underneath.

2. When I had a hutch I used to have a bit of newspaper on the bottom. It was completely useless as bedding as it's not absorbant but it was really helpful at cleaning out time as you can just roll it all up like a portion of fish n chips and toss it in the bin.

3. If you're planning on keeping them outside now it's getting colder they'll need something to keep them warm. The advantage of bundling in lots of hay is that they can bury themselves in it and keep snug.

4. Give it a try. It's virtually impossible to litter train a pig but they will pee or poo more in hay.
 
PixelPace said:
Hi all

Firstly, thank you all so much for all your help. This is my first post and first contact but have been avidly reading this forum and gained much advice since getting my piggies last December.

Last December they moved in at 6 weeks old into an indoor, two storey cage, and I used Puppy Pads and fleece. I found this worked okay but Honey and Snowy like to pee up against the walls so pee would sit under the plastic at the bottom in a pool. Not nice! I coped quiet well with the laundry.

Over spring and summer they have been in a Chicken Coop in the Garden, which they LOVE! They get regular fresh air and loads of space to run around outside within the chicken run and eat as much grass as they like. I'm using newspaper in the main area and newspaper with Hay in the bedroom.

MY ISSUE AND MY QUESTION:

The piggies pee everywhere but mostly on their hay, which I hate, so I'm thinking of withdrawing hay completely except for in a new hay ball feeder to keep it dry.

I am considering VETBED as it would, I feel, last longer in-between changes than the fleece.

1. Do I need anything under the Vetbed to mop up wee, and if so, what? How often will those two layers need changing?

2. If i go for some sort of absorbant substance ( I was reading about one that only needs to be changed one a week) how easy is it to clean out. I'm used to just lifting out paper and pads. Is it a nightmare to scoop with dustpan and brush. Does it congeal at the bottom of the cage?

3. Will they need something to snuggle into in their pigloo and piggie pod? I'm happy to cut the Vetbed to size but not keen to put hay in them like i did before as they will just pee on it, I think.

4. I'm considering a tray of hay to encourage peeing in a certain area as they now seem to associate hay with pee LOL!

So sorry this is so long! :) x
Click to expand...
 
Mine have a good layer of newspaper beneath Vetfleece which allows the pee to soak through onto the paper ensuring the piggies are always lying on a dry surface! I then lift these beds every day to change paper underneath and to gently shake off the masses of poo! Clean paper put down and fleece back on top. All fleeces changed every second day. They also all have areas again, with layers of newspaper topped up with shredded paper then piles of hay to play in. I have hay bags for the hay they're meant to eat but obviously they also munch on the hay piles. These are changed daily though so not too concerned about eating anything soiled.They are messy wee creatures aren't they? But Adorable!
 
I use the same method of Janice C, with newspapers/leaflets from supermarkets. It works very well. My piggies, too, usually pee on the same corner, where the hay is, but I put only some hay on the fleece in that point. Their hay is into haybags.
When my piggies have their long floor time on the floor of the kitchen, they have a box filled with hay which they use as a toilet (but only the left side of the box, actually they eat the hay on the right side!). I put this wasted hay on the sun outside and it can be reused...
Using newspapers means saving a lot of money
 
Hi ladies!

Thank you so much for your replies so far. I missed out the part where I am planning to move them back into their original two storey house, indoors, over winter, so they'll be much warmer there.

I'm hoping that whichever bedding i choose is enough for them. I am still a little concerned about what they can bury themselves in if I use Vetbed though.

I've just googled Hay bags, they look really neat.

Great idea to put the news paper underneath whatever I use. Love the fish n chips roll up analogy!

Thanks again!
 
I have just switched my lot over from hay bags. I like the hay bags for keeping their hay fresh but it meant they had no hay to play, tunnel or sleep in which seemed a real shame as it really does provide so much enrichment for them.

Today I have added a hay area to each cage. I use puppy pads, then a layer of Aubiose and then a huge pile of hay on top. Yes it may get a bit messy and they hay will need changing when soiled but I know the piggies will be much happier. I still have the hay bags hung up for fresh Timothy hay.

The rest of the cage is till puppy pads and fleece and soft beds.

WP_20170911_13_23_50_Pro.webp
 
Glad the forum has been helpful to you :) And you have decided to join the community here :) It really is lovely to have you.

I wouldn't use hay balls, I'd just make a hay area for them to go in like @Eileen's Mum above.

Could you add your location to your profile as it helps us tailor any advice if ever needed to your geographical location

Welcome again
Lee
 
sport_billy said:
Glad the forum has been helpful to you :) And you have decided to join the community here :) It really is lovely to have you.

I wouldn't use hay balls, I'd just make a hay area for them to go in like @Eileen's Mum above.

Could you add your location to your profile as it helps us tailor any advice if ever needed to your geographical location

Welcome again
Lee
Click to expand...

Thanks Lee!

I've updated my location, good idea, thank you

Yes, I've seen a few photos with the tray of hay so i'll do that with plastic so it's easier after they've weed in it LOL!

I think I'll try one lot of Aubiose (I'm lucky that I have a stockist 5 minutes from me. Just found that out) and if i'm not happy then i'll go down the Vetbed route.

I think it makes sense to try one bag of disposable before committing lots of money to Vetbed.

:)
 
PixelPace said:
Great idea to put the news paper underneath whatever I use. Love the fish n chips roll up analogy!
Click to expand...

My Mum hated it when I compared it ti wrapping up fish n chips. I think some of us forum member's would be good at working in a fish shop, we have wrapping up poops and hay down to a fine art.
 
Eileen's Mum said:
I have just switched my lot over from hay bags. I like the hay bags for keeping their hay fresh but it meant they had no hay to play, tunnel or sleep in which seemed a real shame as it really does provide so much enrichment for them.

Today I have added a hay area to each cage. I use puppy pads, then a layer of Aubiose and then a huge pile of hay on top. Yes it may get a bit messy and they hay will need changing when soiled but I know the piggies will be much happier. I still have the hay bags hung up for fresh Timothy hay.

The rest of the cage is till puppy pads and fleece and soft beds.

View attachment 70564
Click to expand...

i do exactly the same x my girls love it xx
 
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