Hay and shavings or just shavings?

[Claire W]

As my guinea pigs live outdoors, I bed them on newspaper, hay and shavings. In the sleeping area, they have layers of newspaper followed by mountains of hay. In their living area, they have layers of newspaper, followed by a thick layer of shavings followed by a layer of hay. I use the shavings to absorb the urine.

I have seen people before just use shavings in the living area of the hutch. Should I carry on using the layer of hay over the shavings or just let them walk around on the shavings? The only reason I use the hay is really to protect their feet.

Would they be cleaner if I just used the shavings?

I do not want this thread to turn in to a debate of whether wood shavings are good or not as I have always used them and never had any problems

 

[Wiebke]

I have a layer of cheap hay on top of my shavings in the hay bath and the toilet corners - I found that with just hay and newspaper everything turned into a soggy smelly mess within the blink of an eye!

It helps to keep the shavings from tangling up in my longhaired piggies' hair and my boys' private bits. It is also nicer for them to walk and lie on.

 

[Alicia]

I have found that my guinea-pigs with the lighter coloured feet and skin get irritated by just woodshavings. Their feet go bright red, but if I put a layer of hay on top of the woodshavings they don't. You could try it and then if it irritates your guinea-pigs skin go back to hay on top of woodshavings?

 

[skrikopanik]

I've switched to shavings in their hay loft (it's not a controversial bedding in Sweden). I like it better with a bit of hay on top because it sticks less to their fur than the shavings.

 

[Little Piggles]

I kinda have the opposite going on. My pigs are bedded on newspaper and hay, with piles of extra hay in the bed areas. I put a handful of Carefresh in toliet corners and underneath their water bottles.

Does the layer of shavings help with absorption of pee? I'm guessing it'll be warmer for them in winter too?

Sorry - I didn't answer your original question at all ")

 

[Wiebke]

I kinda have the opposite going on. My pigs are bedded on newspaper and hay, with piles of extra hay in the bed areas. I put a handful of Carefresh in toliet corners and underneath their water bottles.

Does the layer of shavings help with absorption of pee? I'm guessing it'll be warmer for them in winter too?

Sorry - I didn't answer your original question at all ")

In my opinion it does.

There are alternatives to shavings, but I must admit that I did not like the smell and dust of megazorb in my living room!

 

[Claire W]

I kinda have the opposite going on. My pigs are bedded on newspaper and hay, with piles of extra hay in the bed areas. I put a handful of Carefresh in toliet corners and underneath their water bottles.

Does the layer of shavings help with absorption of pee? I'm guessing it'll be warmer for them in winter too?

Sorry - I didn't answer your original question at all ")

This is the reason why I use shavings. It absorbs the pee and gives an extra layer of insulation (in my opinion anyway)

 

[Little Piggles]

Thanks both, I'll add a layer in the next clean out I think

Sorry for the hijack!

Now back to the shavings...

 

[Abi_nurse]

Its a question of what you and ** piggies prefer. Mine indoor and outdoor girls are on similar, they have shavings and loads of cheap hay in there bed and just shavings in the living area. I find it does soak up wee really well, and tends to not smell as much as hay or straw does. As for the feet irritation, i havent seen any on my piggies but i guess its something to watch for. So its a matter of opinion on weather to add a layer of hay on top.

Sorry if I'm not much help.

x.

 

[Fudge and Rainbow :)]

I use newspaper, shavings and hay in the bedroom and in the living area, I just use newspaper and shavings.

 

[slackalice2k]

In my opinion it does.

There are alternatives to shavings, but I must admit that I did not like the smell and dust of megazorb in my living room!

I like the smell of megazorb in the living room, but it is a bit dusty, though I've just opened a new bag today, and it looks a bit more woolly than usual, so maybe they've changed the process a bit.

I use newspaper, then megazorb, and at the minute hay is in hay racks and bedrooms only, the newspaper is very rarely wet when I clean out, every 3-4 days. I used to use shavings but piggies feets are in much better condition on megazorb, all 13 are blemish free. I also find it's better for long haired piggies, it doesn't seem to catch in the coat. The only problem i have with it, is that it gets picked up by my bottom dragging boys a lot more often than I'd like >>>

I really wouldn't go back to shavings.

 

[Fudge and Rainbow :)]

Today I have cleaned out the girls outdoor hutch and I'm only using shavings in the bedroom because I have decided to use fleece! I bought it ages ago and I tried them on it inside (in Winter) but it stank! >>> So I never used it but today I thought I'd give it a go. Hopefully it won't smell because there's plenty of fresh air outside.