Fleece In Hutches

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Hank288

Hank288

Adult Guinea Pig
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I am looking to swap my piggies over to fleece bedding but they live in hutches in the shed. I can get fleeces easily but they will be way too wide for my hutch. I was going to fold them in half length ways to make them fit.
Is this a bad idea? I just read that it might not soak up the wee as much. Would I be better cutting it and sewing a new seam into it?
Do I need anything other than fleece and absorbant liners underneath?
Any advice about fleeces as bedding useful as I have only ever used shavings.
Thanks
 
Doubling up the fleece will be fine.

Just some info for you ;)
Fleece needs to be changed every three to four days, without a fabric softener, but with non bio detergent and white vinegar(optional) at 60 degrees. Before first use you have to wash the fleece without any detergent at least three times to allow it to remove the water barrier. You can check this has been done successfully if a drop of water on the fleece sinks through, not stays on the top. If it stays, you need to wash it again.

Fleece also needs an absorbent layer underneath to hold the urine. This can be towels, which I find great. Or puppy pads. You can also buy cage liners which are fleece, but built in absorbent layer. You can buy these from:
http://ziggyspiggies.webs.com

Fleece needs to be spot cleaned (remove poop) at least once a day.

To avoid clogging up washing machine you will need to brush down the fleece and shake it to remove loose hay and hairs. And optional would be to have a horse wash bag, found on amazon/ebay which allows fleece to be washed well, but all hay and hairs keep contained in the bag.
 
Fleece is better to be a double layer, so it's absolutely fine to fold it in half - this is what I do, along with using towels as my absorbant layer underneath. Fleece needs to be washed 3 times before use so the moisture wicks through, and only use detergent when washing - not softener! I love using fleece, definitely recommend it. Any other questions just ask! :)
 
Thank you for the information, it seems very easy to work with and will be easier for me in the long run. I am not going to get liners made as my hutches are a really awkward shape with all sorts of cut outs and jutting out bits of wood. I got them for free so I won't complain. Once I either get my c and c cage or new hutch I will get some made then.
Fleece shopping today then :yahoo:
Thank you
 
hehe lol :) I used mattress liners and fleece when I first change my guinea's bedding. Remember to wick the fleece :)
 
I use my fleece liners in my boys hutch in the shed, they work great, but I find with my boys no matter if in the house or cage, the liners need changed every second day if I want to ensure they are dry for the boys - think they dry up a bit more in the house, but in this weather they seem to be wetter quicker - that and the boys drink loads and the bottle leaks and they pee loads too :lol!:
 
Fleece really suits hutches :) Can't wait to see pics of it down and looking posh!
 
Ok so I brought my fleeces and have started washing them. I also brought another fleece and have been hand sewing it into a cuddle cup, so I really hope they like it as it has taken ages.
Just one more question, I have just got a lambs wool mattress topper from the charity shop. Will this be ok and absorbent enough under my girls fleeces? It is really really thick and I hope it was a good find, I am going to chop it into liners.
The girls also have Lino in their hutch so I don't mind if some does leak out.
Thanks
 
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