Cage Liners Absorbency And Tips Needed

[BlueBird]

Hi guys,

So I've been buying fleece cage liners for my piggies from various vendors to see who is best. (I can finally get the pigs off shavings yay!) The first batch arrived today. However I need some advice.

I believe the middle layer is wadding but it does say in their little info pack that an absorbency layer needs to be used underneath? Is this true? I thought cage liners had absorbency built in. I'm a bit wary of the stuff in the info pack as it also says that the cage liner needs changed every day which seems a bit exsessive to me. The other batches are coming from hammocky hammocks and c and e cosies will they need another absorbency layer?

Also should I be getting some litter trays to use with the fleece? I have a upstairs kitchen area which, since we've covered it, the pigs spend a lot of time up there. I was hoping to confine hay and and shavings to the kitchen to stop bits sticking to the fleece but now I'm wondering whether I should get a litter tray for them. One pig is quite neat and will only go in the corners, even poops which I think was impressive! however our other pig goes anyway so I'm not sure it will be worth it.

Finally, what detergent does everyone use for their fleece. I was going to aim for fairy since it's the closest thing to non-fragranced I know about but is there anything better out there?

 

[Flamestriker]

I use a Fairy non bio washing powder, so I can use it with the human washing and the piggies fleecy things (although not at the same time). And their cage liners.

I wash at 60 degrees and I add disinfectant just for that added oomph. I'm cleaning out every 3-4 days simply due to a fungal issue affecting my herd, otherwise it is a weekly clean.

As for hay...it gets everywhere. And poos! I cleaned out my bag earlier and found a piggy poo in there. And the piggies don't go near my bag!

 

[pimm]

I've just started to use cage liners for my pigs, both boys are now on liners and my girls are half and half until I get more liners.

I just use sainsbury's own liquid, usually with some vanish for the mucky boys and then some antibacterial cleanser to kill off any nasties. I find that the liners don't really smell perfumed when they come out of the washer, just a neutral smell.

I'm also wondering what to put underneath my liners, I've used puppy pads and just tried some old terry towels we have ( as the puppy pads were wet underneath), I was wondering if the liners would last longer if I put something absorbent underneath but I don't know whether its needed or not.

 

[Flamestriker]

I put in the cage liners for the first time yesterday. I'm using disposable incontinence pads underneath to protect the Correx, just in case of leaks.

I will be able to say more when I clean out next on Tuesday

 

[ButtercupClover]

I don't put anything under the cage liners, although I do change the liner every 2-3 days. I also use extra fleece pads (just like the liners, but about 15cm square) under hidey houses. I do occasionally get a bit of damp coming through the bottom, especially if they've tipped the water bowl over, but I just wipe/ disinfect the Correx.

I have got a litter tray for them, and they mainly use that, although I sweep up stray poo a couple of times a day when needed. Some days there will be no stray poo at all, but other days it is all over the place. I have no idea why! Maybe they just can't be bothered to use the litter tray sometimes?

 

[flowerfairy]

My two live in a 150 x 70cm cage. They have a 32litre underbed storage box with hemparade bedding and LOTS of hay. Most of their wees are done in there.

They have cage liners with nothing underneath. I change them every few days. I made them with fleece, zorb and fleece (one liner) and fleece, mattress protector, fleece (the other liner, used two layers of mattress protector as it looked so thin). I also use little pads for under/inside hides such as vet bed, chenile mats and mini versions of their cage liners.

I clean out all poos and uneaten veg and pellets every day and their litter tray most days. They have not yet wee'd through the cage liners.

 

[BlueBird]

Thanks for the advice guys. I've bought a bottle pad and an extra wee pad for under the hideys. Seemed a bit ott having a full absorbent layer underneath the liners but I wasn't sure since I've never used them before, the girls seem to love their kitchen now we've covered it so maybe we won't need to use a litter tray.