Introducing piggies to the outside world. and using fleece in thier hutch.

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LucyMc

LucyMc

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I'm from the north east and now live in bristol
Hi all. Some of you may be aware that i have just rescued some new baby boys. I want to get them outside for the limited time we have of the summer months (and them bring them in during the colder wintery times)

I'm just a bit unsure of how best to begin introducing them to the idea of outside. I am going to leave it a week or so yet as they are still getting used to the idea of living with me and people. But its something i defo want to do.

Another thing i want to ask is. Can you use fleece method for your outside hutch? they really love thier fleece much more than the sawdust and hay they were on when i rescued them. But is fleece just a indoor pen thing? I thought i could maybe furnish one side of the hutch with fleece and toys and the bedroom bit with the sawdust and hay and stuff for more cosy bed?

Any thoughts?
 
Really? i didnt know if it would be too cold for them. I mean they arent outside yet. i was going to make a insulated hutch cosie and water proof cover for it once it arrives. But i was worried it wouldnt work.

Have you any pictures? Could i see? could i see? :)

I just like the idea of the liners. Plus we have such a small wheelie bin and they kicked off royally about us recycling the newspaper and hay and stuff. So liners would solve the problem i have of bin space.
 
Also another thing is. Has anyone got any good DIY ways to make a hutch cosie.

When i was foster mummy last year theyre mum had this nasa approved hutch cosie and waterproof cover which was amazing. BUT THEY ARE SUPER EXPENSIVE! talking at lest £100 for the set up which is money i just dont have right now.

It was just like a metalic thing which had a plastic coating and i thik was filled with some sort of bubble wrap.
I know my friend uses old carpet to cover her bunnies but they are a bit more hardy than our wigglies.

Any Suggestions?
 
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And the rabbit too :)

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I will be making some up for my hutches come autumn, Tarp with fleece sewn to the inner and maybe tarp again, still thinking on this one!
 
How often do you change the fleece? I use newspaper and shavings in my hutch but it's getting a nightmare cleaning them out when it's windy lol. Not good getting shavings blown all over you lol.
I was thinking of giving fleece ago. But then thought out washing them in the same washer we wash our clothes in? Does tha not bother you?
 
Every 4-5 days for liners 3-4 (sometimes 2) days with fleece and paper under.
After ive washed the animal bedding the washer goes on a 90.C wash.
 
The fleece wicks liquid into the inner of liners or newspaper (i use newspaper under the fleece) it does stay dry.
The liners stay dry but get manky after 4/5 days fleece on its own will start to feel damp when it needs changing due to the wet paper under. If you put extra fleece around the feeding & sleeping area it will last that bit longer.
 
LucyMc said:
Also another thing is. Has anyone got any good DIY ways to make a hutch cosie.

When i was foster mummy last year theyre mum had this nasa approved hutch cosie and waterproof cover which was amazing. BUT THEY ARE SUPER EXPENSIVE! talking at lest £100 for the set up which is money i just dont have right now.

It was just like a metalic thing which had a plastic coating and i thik was filled with some sort of bubble wrap.
I know my friend uses old carpet to cover her bunnies but they are a bit more hardy than our wigglies.

Any Suggestions?
Click to expand...

i use these and they are really expensive, you could look on ebay for used ones. years ago i used an old duvet and covered it in tarpauline to make it waterproof.
 
I use fleece uptairs in my herds hutch, they have the bedroom section which is full of snuggly beds and the outside of that where the hay rack is on that floor. I use soft bedding, not sawdust downstairs which is changed very 4 days due to them spending more time down there and making more mess, on the front of the mesh is a fleece blanket on half the mesh to provide a wind barrier and make them feel more secure (as well as originally providing no view of the guys moving around from my dog).

I made my own cover for the hutch, although in the summer I dont have the full covers on as I want air to circulate and the hutch to breath, it might be wet at the moment but it is muggy so I dont want them to over heat during the daytime to chill in the evening.

I brought tarpaulin and covered the back, and its against a wall so not much cold gets in that section, its sheltered by the shed as well. I then brought a translucent plastic cover (think its used for growing spuds, brought it in wilkos for a fiver), a bit of plywood and nailed the plywood to both ends of the plastic, one end of this to the hutch underneath the roof ridge and then with two bamboo canes at an angle the plastic rain cover provides the rain shelter day and night, and a bit of wind break during windy days. On really sunny days I put it up but we havent had any of them yet.
 
Arrw thank you soo soo much! This has been so very helpful. I couldnt invision it and yrupictures have really helped!

I just need to figure out how to make the liners now. I'm not sure about what gauge of wadding to use and how to make it loo all neat and tidy.

I need to bang some out quick though as i go away this weekend and my housemate is looking after them for me and i think keeping them on fleece but making them a hand full of liners would be so much easier for her as she is novice.

Do you just treat you fleece like you would indoor? sospot clean it every day and change it every couple of days
 
my hutch - the clear plastic has another bamboo through the fold to hold it out from the hutch
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and the bamboos are not there in this pic. I will get a better pic for you.

Fleece up the top, spot cleaned every day, and changed once a week but the cozies every 4 days or when wet
 
Honestly guys i can thank you enough. I was very nervous about becoming a ginny mummy again . You guys and many other members on the forum have been so so helpful and supportive.

Ive gone from feeling like a poor susitiute for a rescue mummy to like i can do it and they will be super happy in no time :):rose
 
Glad you started this thread. I've been thinking of using fleece too in the hutch. Think I'm going to swap them over at the weekend.

Thanks x
 
Thanks vicky.
Its somthing id never seen done but thought well why not some one must have. Like i said in previous post. Its more about the fact we have such limited bin space. With the newspaper i can stick it in the recycling bin. But going on the last boys they had a bin bag each week and out bin holds 2 at best.

To be honest i think I'm totally won over by this fleece idea. I definatly cannot smell the boys in the house. We have some very fussy houseguests over atm and i was worried they would smell them put apprently not.
The boys are only on like puppy pads then newspaper then a olf fleece blanket i have which is working great.
 
I use fleece in my outdoor hutch, it's so easy to keep clean, spot clean etc. I used wood shavings at first and it was a nightmare! My girls tend to wee in the same bit of cage so I just put newspaper down there and change it morning and night.
 
Yes I'm going to do it tomorrow. Going to primark tomorrow as they have fleeces for £2 so going to get a couple and get it done tomorrow after work. X
 
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