Combining Vetbed, Shavings And Hay..?

[afu]

My piggies are currently housed on large flake dust extracted shavings with hay for bedding, hayracks and foraging piles. I've not had any problems with these but am considering adding some vetbed to keep them cosier in winter.

Current setup is a double level 3' hutch set inside a 6' x 4' indoor run in a shed, with 24/7 access to run and shavings over the entire hutch and run. They both always sleep in the upstairs bedroom of the hutch which is where I'm thinking of adding the vetbed.

My question is this, do I top it with hay or not? I've seen on here that I should shake it out to remove poops a couple of times a day, but If I did this I'd be wasting so much hay if I topped it. If I don't add hay I don't know if they'd move their sleeping preferences.

I was going to use shavings under the vetbed as I have so much

 

[Lilly]

My piggies are currently housed on large flake dust extracted shavings with hay for bedding, hayracks and foraging piles. I've not had any problems with these but am considering adding some vetbed to keep them cosier in winter.
Current setup is a double level 3' hutch set inside a 6' x 4' indoor run in a shed, with 24/7 access to run and shavings over the entire hutch and run. They both always sleep in the upstairs bedroom of the hutch which is where I'm thinking of adding the vetbed.
My question is this, do I top it with hay or not? I've seen on here that I should shake it out to remove poops a couple of times a day, but If I did this I'd be wasting so much hay if I topped it. If I don't add hay I don't know if they'd move their sleeping preferences.
I was going to use shavings under the vetbed as I have so much

Vetbed is very soft, fluffy & bulky. I wouldn't use shavings underneath as it would spoil the softness & smoothness. But you will need something under to absorb urine wicking through & also protect the wood floor of the hutch. When my boys lived in a wooden hutch I put washable waterproof terry towelling mattress protectors under the vetbed. They can be cut to size to fit just like the vetbed. The PVC bottom kept the wood dry & the towel top absorbed the urine wicking through from the vetbed above. I wouldn't put hay on top of the vetbed if you're just using it in the upper bedroom area. Easier to keep clean as all the poops will sit on top & you can just sweep them up or pick them up. The piggies will find the vetbed soft and warm in winter but cool in summer.

 

[gizzy]

I have had great success with vet bed, as long as you by a slicker brush, to brush off the poo ect it makes life so easy no need for any think underneath apart from newspaper.
I've tried all the bedding over the years and vet bed is the best move I've ever made