Bedding for large cages

[LydiaMinx]

I've recently made the switch to a 2x4 C&C and I have already noticed how much more difficult they are to clean out! I have always used hay for my boys with a thick wodge of newspaper underneath (I know this isn't ideal but they love making hay caves so much I couldn't bear to switch!) but in the C&C cleaning out hay is almost impossible for me! Not to mention I have to use such a large amount now that it will become very expensive to keep buying the hay!

I gave fleece a go for about a week and I hated it. So high maintenance and the boys seems to miss being able to burrow

I've been reading reviews on Finacard and Megazorb as I'm considering making the switch to one of these. What are your experiences with these bedding's and which one is more absorbent, least smelly and comfy for the pigs?

Thank you!

 

[Wiebke]

I have found that fleece with an underlay of towels is working best for me, considering the number of my pigges and the size of my various C&C pens.

 

[Toffeewoffee]

I tried fleece in my C&C and hated it too, as you say, such high maintenance for me, being alone and working full time, i just dont have the time. I tried megazorb in my 2 x 4 and i got 2 cages out of a bag which was approx £5 a cage a week which compared to what i was spending, it was double!

I haven't tried finacard, But i use a thick layer of newspapers which friends and family save for me, then 2 oblong blocks of woodshavings (49p each) and a layer of soft barley straw (£3.99 a bale and that does approx 5 cages) and my cage only needs cleaning every 7 - 10 days, though i do spot clean every couple of days. I have never had any health problems caused by the shavings or straw.

 

[klee]

I've tried finacard and another very similar bedding called walmsley premierbed- much cheaper if you are near a stockist (£6.50 a bale) I love it I find that with 4 girls I can go about 5 days between changes, as long as I do a bit of a spot clean of any damp areas. Generally I find it stays pretty dry.
Don't have a c+c so can't really comment on the easyness to clean though.

 

[LydiaMinx]

Toffeewoffee what size was the bag of Megazorb? I go through about £4 worth of hay a week now (big bale) so I'm hoping to spend less money then this I'm already leaning toward Finacard I think!

And klee how long does a bag last you?

 

[klee]

Toffeewoffee what size was the bag of Megazorb? I go through about £4 worth of hay a week now (big bale) so I'm hoping to spend less money then this I'm already leaning toward Finacard I think!

And klee how long does a bag last you?

I would probably say about 2.5 months sometimes a little less. We are pretty lucky as we have a supplier of premier bed local so we can just go and get some when we're close to running out.
It's not for everyone, but you can give it a try and see how you get along. I use newspaper first and then puppy pads then the card as it keeps it drier for longer.

 

[Stewybus]

I've recently made the switch to a 2x4 C&C and I have already noticed how much more difficult they are to clean out! I have always used hay for my boys with a thick wodge of newspaper underneath (I know this isn't ideal but they love making hay caves so much I couldn't bear to switch!) but in the C&C cleaning out hay is almost impossible for me! Not to mention I have to use such a large amount now that it will become very expensive to keep buying the hay!

I gave fleece a go for about a week and I hated it. So high maintenance and the boys seems to miss being able to burrow

I've been reading reviews on Finacard and Megazorb as I'm considering making the switch to one of these. What are your experiences with these bedding's and which one is more absorbent, least smelly and comfy for the pigs?

Thank you!

I'm not familiar with Finacard but have used Megazorb & tried allsorts of other beddings but have gone back to Megazorb. I use a 12mm or 1/2 inch layer then a thin layer of hay on top. For bedding purposes it's best to buy a bale straight from the farm. They're only £4 to £5 & you'll get at least a month out of one even if you're using it for them to eat as well. What are the problems in cleaning out the hay? Is yours a multi level C&C with awkward places to get into? With Megazorb and hay on top, I get a week between changes with a little spot cleaning in small areas. My piggies all have a cat lit tray each as a bed & I put a newspaper at the bottom then white paper (teabag) bedding from http://www.lawsonanimalfeeds.co.uk/rabbit-bedding/240-white-paper-bedding.html I then put a pile of hay on top for them to nest in.

 

[twiams]

The only other bedding in my C&C that i’ve used other than fleece is fitch ! I loved it, huge bales for about £15. Last ages!

 

[LydiaMinx]

Ohhh now I'm in more of a pickle! For those who have used Megazorb, how long did the 85L last you? I'm now torn between Fitch, Finacard and Megazorb again rolleyes