Hay on vetbed/fleece?

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daisyd

daisyd

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My guineas currently live on wood shavings, which they've never had health problems with, but come cleaning out I have to throw so much stuff away (1+ bin bag per week) it doesn't seem very environmentally friendly. I rent so can't really have a massive compost heap or incinerator...

I had a trial of fleece over towels in one of my girls pens and didn't mind sweeping up the poos twice a day, but when it came to day 3 it was all in need of a wash. The only problem was the hay was everywhere all stuck to the fleece. I tried to Hoover it off and shake it out, even hung it up on the line and hit it, but there were still loads of hay bits in it. I didn't dare wash it in the machine as it looked like it'd get clogged up pretty quick as I have 10 piggies... that would be washing 15 blankets and towels a week!

What do others do to get hay off or do you have a different hay section away from the fleece?
 
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i have this problem (i used towels and they still gets covered!) and would like any good ideas on how to get it off as well =]
 
The best indoor C&C with fleece /towels I've seen had hay offered in a hay rack, with a cat litter tray underneath with shavings in. Two plus sides - the guineas tend to pooh where they eat the hay, so all the poohs are in the tray, and also the hay stays mainly in the rack and doesn't get stuck to the fleece.

I use vetbed in two of my indoor cages, on towels and paper, I sweep twice a day and give it a good shake outside (bash it with the brush!) and wash it every few days.

Sophie
x
 
I take out and clean the washing machine filter after each load. Even after hoovering and shaking the vetbed, plenty of hay seems to find its way into the filter. Thankfully it's not a new machine!
 
^ i've tried putting a litter tray near their hayrack and they just shove it out the way/poo around it!
and i have a hayrack but bits fall out and stick to the towels as they fling it everywhere.
maybe it's just cos mine are in their terrible teens and like to keep their house messy!:))
 
Thanks for all these replies!

My guineas love sleeping in their hay and munching it - it would seem sad for it all to be tucked away up high... Think I'll stick to my current setup for the time being. I have a few fleecy cussions in the hutches so they have a nice soft bed and they love to sprawl out on these so they kind of get the best of both worlds - only downside is all the rubbish I have to chuck out on cleaning day!
 
try carefresh / megazorb in sleeping area and then vetbed / fleece in living area. that way you can clean out the bed area each day and not too much hay will be on the fleece! I used to have mine on vet bed with two cat litter trays with carefresh in for them to sleepin with hay etc.. that also may work for you as most the hay stays in the litter tray!
 
I wash my vet bed in an old duvet cover knotted at the end. It keeps all the hay inside the duvet cover and doesn't clog the machine
 
I have the same trouble with hay but i've recently got a wash bag (got it from a local horse shop but I think Hammocky Hammocks do them). It does seem to keep any hay/hair inside it & will hopefully stop my washing machine from breaking :)
 
gracie said:
^ that's a great idea!
can you get them big enough for several towels at once?
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Yes, I fit 4 fleeces in mine & there's still room for more. I think Hammocky Hammocks have just started making the bigger ones, i'll have a look for them & post the link.
 
A hint and tip for removing hay from fleece is to use a slightly damp rubber gloved hand, and sweep it over the fleece in circular motions, this will also remove stubborn hairs too :)

pompypigs5 said:
Yes, I fit 4 fleeces in mine & there's still room for more. I think Hammocky Hammocks have just started making the bigger ones, i'll have a look for them & post the link.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link up :) We do 2 different sizes at the moment, with a medium size shortly to be added to the range :)

The large bag really is pretty huge and easily fits my 4 layered 2x4 (C&C) bedding in it along with a couple of hammocks and beds! All of that then just about fits in my washing machine :))
 
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