Mouldy Hutch

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helenv87

helenv87

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i apologise now as it will be a long message
I have tried searching the forum for this but can't find anything

My Guinea pigs lives outside in a hutch that is only a few months old.
I have up to now had no problems with the hutch, I maintain it daily and give it a full clean once a weak, wiping it out etc

On the last few times I have been to clean it out fully I have found the underneath of the roof (which lifts up) has had white patches all over it like mould spores. I clean them away and they gradually reappear again.
Has anyone else had this happen or heard of this happen?

Also is there anything I could do to prevent it?

The hutch has a cover that is made it fit.
It is a 2 tier hutch but I have currently have them blocked off in the upper section only to try and keep them warmer

I did think about spraying the roof with mould spray but am worried it might harm the Guinea pigs
The sleeping compartment currently has a cardboard box inside that I stuff with hay, the gap between the box and the hutch walls is then filled with scrunched up newspaper, the Guinea pigs has gradually chewed a hole in the top of the cardboard box and I have recently found poo ontop of the box suggesting they are climbing ontop of the I'm worried they might be able to reach the roof when on the box and might lick it or get it on their fur if it out chemicals on it, but also if I don't treat the mould they might get sick

I don't know what to do, please help
 
I am going to tag some members I know to have outside hutches to see if they can help - @eileen, @Lady Kelly, @Mother Hubbard and finally @PiggyOwner and @BossHogg (who have hutches inside sheds) to see what they use.
F10 is the very best non toxic cleaner for hutches and cages as far are I know. You can get it off the Internet or I buy it from the vets (they use it), but I have indoor cages so I'm probably not the best person to help you.
 
I use cheap as chips Wilkinsons hutch disinfectant. Never had any problems. Plus, as my hutches are built into a heated shed and not standalone so they are always dry. I also have insulation between the shed and hutch walls. ;)
 
I just use the normal hutch disinfectant that you can get. My hutches are in a heated shed now. However during the winter, when my hutches were outside I would occasionally get mould patches on the "bedroom" roof. Do you have your hutch covered at all times during the winter or uncover during the day? I think the issue is when the hutches are covered at night, hot little piggy bodies cause a lot on condensation on the cold roof or sides of the hutch. I'd suggest getting as much fresh air to it as you can during day times. Also, when you go your full clean, remove the piggies entirely and if you have an extension lead and can run a hair dryer out to the garden and give the hutch a good blast to dry out any damp spots. Especially the roof where you have been wiping it. You'll find in the summer it will most likely go.
 
I had this problem and it was the hutch cover causing it. I have the hutch hugger by scratch and Newton but it allows rain water to sit at the very back which caused mould to start building up. I used white vinegar to scrub it (luckily all 4 of mine were together and I could shut them downstairs to do it.

Since then I have used 2 bricks under the cover at the front which gives it more of a slant and the rain water no longer collects so I haven't had a problem since
 
i used a solution of milton,baby bottle sterilising tablets,then scrubed hutch,complete clean with f10.ive had same problems as @Lady Kelly with chartwell hutch and scratch newton cover,so i will put two bricks under the cover.I clean this every month.I hope that sort out the problem.x
 
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