Those of you who use fleece bedding

[maisydaisy]

So following on from my thread about indoor cages yesterday, I've been looking at the photos on here of members indoor set ups. A lot of them seem to be lined with fleece rather than wood shavings/hay.

Do you put anything else under the fleece at all? And how often do you change/wash the fleece? And where do you buy it from - do you just get cheap blankets from Dunelm and the like?

 

[maisydaisy]

Oh I've just found some useful info elsewhere on the forum - sorry! Luckily I've just had a sort out and have a huge bag of old towels ready to be thrown out - looks like I'll keep hold of them for a while and use them underneath the fleece.

 

[AnnaB]

haha I tend to do the same. post things and then find an answer else where.

I also use news papers under the towels too, makes life easier.

what cage have you got and how many piggies?

 

[maisydaisy]

I've ordered this cage http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=813&pf_id=58415 for my 3 boars - they're currently outside but I feel sorry for them so am bringing them in until it gets warmer again

 

[jeni]

I've just moved onto fleece after seeing how nice the cages look. I've picked up lots of poop already but it still feels dry after2 days. I used to clean it out every other day with paper and hay so maybe I'll get an extra day of not cleaning. I've got mum onto sowing the towels to the fleece and I have a layer of newspaper under as well. They seem to enjoy the fleece more I think.

X

 

[piggyfan]

I get my fleece from Primark. I wash and dry it three times to prepare it. Make sure you do not use fabric conditioner. I line my cage with towels and then two layers of fleece. Two or three times a day I collect up poops and every three days I wash the bedding.

 

[AnnaB]

I've ordered this cage http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=813&pf_id=58415 for my 3 boars - they're currently outside but I feel sorry for them so am bringing them in until it gets warmer again

That cage looks amazing! i really want one of those but I only have two little boys so maybe one day
I am getting ferplast 140 soon so happy i no longer got to but wood shavings.

I bought my fleece in ASDA in the pet section, it cost me £2.50 and seems good.

as mentioned above don't use softer, but make sure towels are soft after the wash so they keep their maximum absorbency.

Also that cage looks pretty tall, if you fancied making another level, i used these to make a shelf in my cage, guineas love it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290403123...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_1098wt_1110

Please share some pics once you have the cage!

 

[claire8234]

I use cage liners and they last a week before needing washing.

I ordered one from Lorraine (4piggypigs). Highly recommend them

 

[HelsBels]

Ikea do fleece blankets for £1.49 that's what I did, but I just find it tricky with hay on the fleece, just seems hardworking getting it up before washing :0
So I use, Megazorb on paper with loads of hay

 

[OrioniS]

HelsBels: You are quite right. I've used fleece for about 6 months and now I'm on Megazorb. CareFresh was good but definitely NOT dust free and expensive, so I've moved to fleeces: nice, comfy, BUT. when you calculate amount of washings, electricity, time etc..., total of it is not as good as everyone think. I had about 6 fleeces ready to go and another 6 towels and trying to get the hay, fur and other bits of that fleece took me 1h easily, even with vacuum cleaner. We will have baby soon and my missus told me definitely NO to use washing machine in the same time with baby stuff, so... bye bye fleece.

Now, I'm on Megazorb, but still is not dust free, actually can be very dusty. Everywhere on the shelf, on the table... So next stop will be T-Bags, I need to try it out, or maybe combine those things together.. we will see. 8)

 

[hayleyh]

I started off on sawdust and then moved onto fleece after seeing everyones lovely cages on here. As of today I'm going back to sawdust. I cant bear the thought of my piggies sleeping on damp fleece, even though I clean them out twice a week, within a day they are wet again. Also they poop sooooo much that every day I am doing a poop scoop. I put a litter tray in for them with sawdust and hay which they used but the hay got everywhere and made a mess on the fleece. They just look a total mess within hour of cleaning them out - remember the pics on here have probably been taken while the cages remain nice and clean.
I really got fed up with having to wash so many towels and fleeces all soaked in pee - I dont think its cost effective at all.
So I am changing the boys out today and saying goodbye to all the vetbed and fleeces I bought and going back to sawdust.
I've not tried megazord and dont actually know what it is - can someone enlighten me?

 

[4piggiepigs]

Lots of peope have haylofts or kitchen areas, i have one with shavings and hay in and their food bowl, it helps keep mess/hay of my liners, before washing liners i hang on the line after a good shake for the wind to blow extra off or i use a stiff brush to sweep it off, my liners draw the pee out keeping the top layer dry and spreading the pee through the airy wadding part of the liner allowing that to eventually dry to which reduces smells and allows you to change once a week

 

[OrioniS]

hayleyh:

http://www.farmway.co.uk/equine-2/t...m=2277&utm_campaign=128_Megazorb+Now+In+Stock

Basically is high temp treated virgin wood pulp. Whatever that means ;-) Out of my experience: very absorbent, funny smell on the beginning (just keep the bag open, it will evaporate), them bits can be very small, depend of the batch you will receive. It will dry out pee and pops very quickly. You will need about half inch on the bottom. I usually cover it with some hay (it will separate piggies from it most of the time). It is very absorbent, so will dry out hay before it start to be soaked, but... it will dry out piggies as well. Unfortunately, mine start to scratch themselves soon after using it. It's stated that is dust free. It's NOT. Nothing based on wood by-products will ever be dust free. Why? By products, is stuff they cannot re-use in production, eg. too short strands (dust?). CareFresh, Megazorb and probably other similar stuff.

I'm searching for different bedding now and I'll try T-Bags (tea bag off cuts, soft and absorbent pieces... OK, we will see)

 

[hayleyh]

hayleyh:

http://www.farmway.co.uk/equine-2/t...m=2277&utm_campaign=128_Megazorb+Now+In+Stock

It is very absorbent, so will dry out hay before it start to be soaked, but... it will dry out piggies as well.

Hmmmm, not sure if I like the idea of it drying out my piggies... inbreeding

 

[first_time_piggie_mum]

Hi

I put puppy training pads underneath mine and that works a treat. They draw all the moisture through the fleece, so it stays dry for a good few days even up to a week.

I use a stiff brush & dustpan and do a "poop swoop" first thing in the morning, then when I get home from work or mid afternoon, then again at bedtime. I used shavings with my previous piggie Rodney and he was perfectly fine on them, but I have to say I do prefer the fleece. The size of this cage it would take me ages to spot clean!:{

BTW the tiger fleece cage is mine and the boys love it!|)

 

[Bekki]

i tried fleece for a week, thought it was disgusting and filthy and stinky even after a day ..

moved to megazorb and its much better :-)

 

[DizzyDinosaur]

I'm thinking of moving to fleece when I get a new house for the pigs.
How do you wash it?
Basically dump it in the machine with some detergent or use trigene instead of using detergent?
Then how do you dry yours and how long do they take to dry?

 

[DizzyDinosaur]

I'm thinking of moving to fleece when I get a new house for the pigs.
How do you wash it?
Basically dump it in the machine with some detergent or use trigene instead of using detergent?
Then how do you dry yours and how long do they take to dry?

 

[4piggiepigs]

Hi

I put puppy training pads underneath mine and that works a treat. They draw all the moisture through the fleece, so it stays dry for a good few days even up to a week.

I use a stiff brush & dustpan and do a "poop swoop" first thing in the morning, then when I get home from work or mid afternoon, then again at bedtime. I used shavings with my previous piggie Rodney and he was perfectly fine on them, but I have to say I do prefer the fleece. The size of this cage it would take me ages to spot clean!:{

BTW the tiger fleece cage is mine and the boys love it!|)

And i keep showing it off because i love it too I'm still green lol

 

[4piggiepigs]

I'm thinking of moving to fleece when I get a new house for the pigs.
How do you wash it?
Basically dump it in the machine with some detergent or use trigene instead of using detergent?
Then how do you dry yours and how long do they take to dry?

if its just fleece you can tumble dry it, i wash my liners with surf washing powder no softener and they dry quickly on radiators or line (in warm windy weather)

 

[first_time_piggie_mum]

I just wash mine on a 50 cycle with a little bit of liquid washing gel, no softener.

They dry really quick, the one I bought from Dunelm is dry in a few hours, I hang mine up in the kitchen overnight. Ive got underfloor heating and the room is really warm. I could also dry them over a radiator if I wanted to.

 

[DizzyDinosaur]

if its just fleece you can tumble dry it, i wash my liners with surf washing powder no softener and they dry quickly on radiators or line (in warm windy weather)

I would have to use the washing line as much as possible, then just tumble dry when its raining.

I just wash mine on a 50 cycle with a little bit of liquid washing gel, no softener.

They dry really quick, the one I bought from Dunelm is dry in a few hours, I hang mine up in the kitchen overnight. Ive got underfloor heating and the room is really warm. I could also dry them over a radiator if I wanted to.

Hmm, seems much better idea than using wood shavings, Once Ive used up the horse sized bale I might switch to fleece since woodshavings make me sneeze like mad when I am spot cleaning or full cleaning

 

[first_time_piggie_mum]

everyone has a preference, I just prefer fleece, seeing the boys popcorn around the cage when I put fresh fleece in makes it worth while and after all its about them being comfortable.

I admit it doesnt smell as clean as shavings do, but the more times you wash it the more absorbent it becomes and I suppose that will reduce the smell.

Its not overly offensive, its just that it does have a smell to it.

Lots of people use shavings and have no issue, and as said previously I used it for years and never had any problems.

 

[OrioniS]

everyone has a preference, I just prefer fleece, seeing the boys popcorn around the cage when I put fresh fleece in makes it worth while and after all its about them being comfortable.

I admit it doesnt smell as clean as shavings do, but the more times you wash it the more absorbent it becomes and I suppose that will reduce the smell.

Its not overly offensive, its just that it does have a smell to it.

Lots of people use shavings and have no issue, and as said previously I used it for years and never had any problems.

Yep, that's what I'm missing. pop-corning on the fleeces, but lucky when boys are on the floor, they just getting mad |)
Soon, I'll do C&C cage 2x4 split apartment ;-) and then I think I'll mix some of the beddings.

Unfortunately, one of them got ear infection and I'll be driving tomorrow 1.5h to the vet Amir from Pets&Vets.

 

[first_time_piggie_mum]

Awww hope the vet trip goes ok? Let us know the outcome x

 

[OrioniS]

Had bad experience with a vet near me. Both of us. Got some local antibiotics drops, but after that experience, Lolek is very anxious and nervous. Putting those drops in his ears is like going for war - you'll never know the outcome.

I hope this time will be OK as well. He survived URI and Baytril and crappy vet, then he will survive polyps and stupid infection.

 

[OrioniS]

Hello All,

Just got back from vet and I have to say that I'm happy with outcome. As far as we could see, there was no polyps. Unfortunately, to make major look-in to his ears we may need to knock him out on gas and this can be dangerous for health, so we decided to wait.

As for infection? Carry on with ear drops antibiotic for another few days and see if that will clear it.

I have to say that travelling with piggies on the front seat with seat belts on was a bit hilarious but was working perfect. They munch cucumber and Romaine Hearts through journey back quite happily, so I was happy driving along.
Right, I hope that's it for now... ;-)

 

[sarahw]

message for 4piggiepigs cant work out how to message you, i would like some of your cage liners for our 12 guinea pigs
measurements are
120cm length
54cm wide
my daughter likes all the polka dot designs all colours
will need 6 please
can you let me know how much they will be
thanks
sarah

 

[Connie]

Hi there sarah! You wont be able to send messages yet as you need 50 posts for this, but i have sent 4piggiepigs a message with a link to this thread so hopefully she will see it next time she logs on.

 

[4piggiepigs]

message for 4piggiepigs cant work out how to message you, i would like some of your cage liners for our 12 guinea pigs
measurements are
120cm length
54cm wide
my daughter likes all the polka dot designs all colours
will need 6 please
can you let me know how much they will be
thanks
sarah

Hi Sarah

Liner's for that size cage are £25 plus postage, as your having so many i will pay for a courier so the total would be £150.

You can choose any fleece from here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Fabric-/2...ssov=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m1539&Material=Fleece

You can choose all one colour

or a seperate one for sides

Hi there sarah! You wont be able to send messages yet as you need 50 posts for this, but i have sent 4piggiepigs a message with a link to this thread so hopefully she will see it next time she logs on.

Thank you for the pm Connie x