Tips on keeping hay "tidy" when using fleece?

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Claire1973

Claire1973

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I know this sounds ridiculous... ! Its just that since bring our piggies indoors and using vetbed for the first time ( they were kept on megazorb in outdoor cage but it is far too messy for indoors) I was wondering if there was a tip for keeping thier hay inside the cage and off the vetbed?! I have hay racks obviously but the hay still gets stuck all over the vetbed and all over the office floor! I have to clean it all every day as we have 6 piggies so they need all the towels and fleece washing every day anyway to keep the smell down ( or hubby will complain as they are in his office! :)):)):)) ) I am wondering if there is anything else I can use to stop them scattering it all over the place.. it is blocking up my vacuum cleaner and washing machine...! :-)
 
All I can think of is to contain it in a tray. I have this problem too!
 
You could try putting an empty tupper were box under the hay rack? The piggies will have to sit in it to eat the hay and it may help stop the stray strands of hay from being spread around, plus because piggies are like little sausage factories and poo/wee as they eat, alot of their poo's etc will be done in the tupper were tub which you can pick out shake in the bin, clean and put back as often as required.
 
Some kind of low box or tray is the answer in order to contain the hay. The disadvantage of vetbed is that hay tends to really stick to it.
 
I have a hay rack, but also have areas in the cage with hay on the floor for the pigs as they love to play in it as well as eat it. I put newspaper down in their hay areas and then can just fold it all up and pop it in the bin. Bits of hay do end up in other parts of the cage too, but I wrap the fleece up, take it outside and give it a good shake before I wash it.
 
I am getting a bit fed up with having to clean my 5 piggies out every couple of days. They are indoors, in a C & C cage, on fleece. I cleaned them out midday on Wednesday and have just cleaned them out again, (48hrs later) and I could not believe the amount of mess they have made. They just poo and wee absolutely everywhere. The fleece wicks the wee away, but the newspapers underneath were sodden when I looked at them today.
I am a bit concerned that my washing machine will pack up with all the mess on the fleece. I use a 'magic brush' to get the majority of hay, poops, food etc off the fleece, but the machine still gets full of it. Worst thing to do after washing fleece? do a dark wash! Bad news.... I am seriously considering going back to woodshavings/newspapers & hay, like I use in the outdoor hutch. Fleece is nice and cuddly I know but I physically don't have the time to clean them out every 48 hours. I think the harm it must be doing to the washing machine plays on my mind quite a bit, it is costly to replace a washing machine, whereas woodshavings/hay & poo can all go into the recycling bin at least.
WHAT DO OTHERS THINK? Can you identify with my problems?
 
hoover

i pick off the poo,s an hay then put the fleece on floor under two chairs then hoover it beore washing-works well for me no hay in washer ")
 
Mummylind said:
I am getting a bit fed up with having to clean my 5 piggies out every couple of days. They are indoors, in a C & C cage, on fleece. I cleaned them out midday on Wednesday and have just cleaned them out again, (48hrs later) and I could not believe the amount of mess they have made. They just poo and wee absolutely everywhere. The fleece wicks the wee away, but the newspapers underneath were sodden when I looked at them today.
I am a bit concerned that my washing machine will pack up with all the mess on the fleece. I use a 'magic brush' to get the majority of hay, poops, food etc off the fleece, but the machine still gets full of it. Worst thing to do after washing fleece? do a dark wash! Bad news.... I am seriously considering going back to woodshavings/newspapers & hay, like I use in the outdoor hutch. Fleece is nice and cuddly I know but I physically don't have the time to clean them out every 48 hours. I think the harm it must be doing to the washing machine plays on my mind quite a bit, it is costly to replace a washing machine, whereas woodshavings/hay & poo can all go into the recycling bin at least.
WHAT DO OTHERS THINK? Can you identify with my problems?
Click to expand...

i have indoors c&c cage and i have got cage liners on mine i only have to change them once a week but poo pick everyday:)) mine never smells or wet even newspaper is bone dry underneath i have my hay in a cat litter tray and mine dont seem to drag any out of it as to washing the liners i shake them off really good and leave them to blow on the wash line over night then wash them the followering day xx
 
Mummylind said:
I am getting a bit fed up with having to clean my 5 piggies out every couple of days. They are indoors, in a C & C cage, on fleece. I cleaned them out midday on Wednesday and have just cleaned them out again, (48hrs later) and I could not believe the amount of mess they have made. They just poo and wee absolutely everywhere. The fleece wicks the wee away, but the newspapers underneath were sodden when I looked at them today.
I am a bit concerned that my washing machine will pack up with all the mess on the fleece. I use a 'magic brush' to get the majority of hay, poops, food etc off the fleece, but the machine still gets full of it. Worst thing to do after washing fleece? do a dark wash! Bad news.... I am seriously considering going back to woodshavings/newspapers & hay, like I use in the outdoor hutch. Fleece is nice and cuddly I know but I physically don't have the time to clean them out every 48 hours. I think the harm it must be doing to the washing machine plays on my mind quite a bit, it is costly to replace a washing machine, whereas woodshavings/hay & poo can all go into the recycling bin at least.
WHAT DO OTHERS THINK? Can you identify with my problems?
Click to expand...

Apologies if you're already doing this but I put piggie things in either an old pillowcase or duvet cover then tie a knot in it before putting in the washing machine. Then they just need a good shake when they're dry xx
 
i do the same as louise i put the fleece in an old pillow case and use an old hair tie to tie the top. also try a towel under the fleece if your not already.

i also do a rinse cycle or a quick wash after each piggy wash. :)
 
lauralucy said:
i do the same as louise i put the fleece in an old pillow case and use an old hair tie to tie the top. also try a towel under the fleece if your not already.

i also do a rinse cycle or a quick wash after each piggy wash. :)
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Love the hair tie idea! My knots either are too tight and take ages to undo when they're wet or too loose and everything falls out in the washer. Will try that next time :))
 
Thanks to everyone for their replies.
I also put small things like cuddle cups, tunnels etc into a pillowcase and then fasten with safety pins. This works fine but the fleeces are a bit too large. Still, I will get round it I'm sure. I am just going to try and keep on top by dustpan and brushing poos whenever I get a moment. Have just been upstairs and filled another dustpan with poos - these pigges never stop.
Might try them with a litter tray in the corners too, that seems to be where it is worst. I have only yesterday bought 2 very lovely big fleece pyramids, and the amount of poo in those was unbelievable....
Thanks to everyone. It's good to get feedback!
 
Some brilliant ideas here! :)) I can totally relate to the problem of the washing machine - I have 6 guineapigs, 2 rabbits and FOUR children hahaa! :)):)) so as you can imagine I need that washing machine a LOT! There is alot more washing since I brought the piggies all indoors and started using vetbed. Last year they were all in the shed but this year my hubby had softened to the idea of them coming indoors even though it meant they were in HIS office! rolleyes I dont want him to change his mind so am trying to keep it as immaculate as possible so that he doesnt smell them! ( we are self employed and when a customer phones him sometimes he moves paperwork on the desk and they ALL start wheeking like mad lol! he has had to explain what the noise is to people they have been that loud!) anyway - I dont really know what a "cage liner" is? I use newspaper and old towels underneath the vetbed and this is always wet every single day. I am going to buy a litter tray for the hay and maybe not use vetbed upstairs - and make this thier "hay area" instead. I have even glued vetbed onto the ramps they use to make them soft and safe so the hay sticks to it all! I also LOVE the idea of putting this all into a pillowcase - FAB idea...! So simple thankyou thankyou!! xxxxx
 
I know the problem only too well and cannot add anything clever to help! We brush and shake our fleece like mad outside and then put it into a duvet cover when washing. Our washing machine filter has a front opening so we clean it every couple of times.

We have managed quite a good crop of grains and even tomatoes from where we have shaken out the hay etc - and poops make great fertiliser! :))
 
I used to wash my fleece in a duvet. It worked ok but sometimes came undone/ got twisted or the fleece didn't clean up well. I bought a horsewear washbag a while ago and am so pleased with it. The fleece washes much better and the bag is thin so takes up less space in the machine. There's never any piggy hair left in the drum either. (I can't clean the filter on my machine because it is not 'consumer accessible' so cost £60 last time it clogged up).
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moorland-...856?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35ae2e2ab0

I bought a large bag but would buy and extra large if I had to buy one again- just so the fleece had more room to move inside the bag. Depends on the size of your machine though. There are loads of sellers on ebay.

I have 6 pigs in my group and I do a poop scoop at least once a day. They have a 3 x 4 fleece area with a litter tray plus a 2 x 3 separate hay area. I use washable incontinence pads under the fleece and change the whole lot every 3 days.

:)
 
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flips said:
I used to wash my fleece in a duvet. It worked ok but sometimes came undone/ got twisted or the fleece didn't clean up well. I bought a horsewear washbag a while ago and am so pleased with it. The fleece washes much better and the bag is thin so takes up less space in the machine. There's never any piggy hair left in the drum either. (I can't clean the filter on my machine because it is not 'consumer accessible' so cost £60 last time it clogged up).
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moorland-...856?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35ae2e2ab0

I bought a large bag but would buy and extra large if I had to buy one again- just so the fleece had more room to move inside the bag. Depends on the size of your machine though. There are loads of sellers on ebay.

I have 6 pigs in my group and I do a poop scoop at least once a day. They have a 3 x 4 fleece area with a litter tray plus a 2 x 3 separate hay area. I use washable incontinence pads under the fleece and change the whole lot every 3 days.

:)
Click to expand...

They look good! Do you have the measurements of the large bag please as I can't see them anywhere? :)
 
flips said:
I used to wash my fleece in a duvet. It worked ok but sometimes came undone/ got twisted or the fleece didn't clean up well. I bought a horsewear washbag a while ago and am so pleased with it. The fleece washes much better and the bag is thin so takes up less space in the machine. There's never any piggy hair left in the drum either. (I can't clean the filter on my machine because it is not 'consumer accessible' so cost £60 last time it clogged up).
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moorland-...856?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35ae2e2ab0

I bought a large bag but would buy and extra large if I had to buy one again- just so the fleece had more room to move inside the bag. Depends on the size of your machine though. There are loads of sellers on ebay.

I have 6 pigs in my group and I do a poop scoop at least once a day. They have a 3 x 4 fleece area with a litter tray plus a 2 x 3 separate hay area. I use washable incontinence pads under the fleece and change the whole lot every 3 days.

:)
Click to expand...


Yes I use these they are fab, got mine from here
http://www.petsperfect.co.uk/produc...2d-Helps-Prevent-Damage-to-Your-Machine!.html also use it for washing my dog towels from grooming
 
I have a question about washing fleece in one of these bags, do they not take up most of the room in the washing mashine therefore the piggy fleece loads are gonna be washed with less in so you've got to do more washers?

I am lucky that my machine has a front filter and in 3 years of daily washing piggy stuff I havnt had a problem. I did try the duvet method but it took up half the machine space :{
 
I saw a handheld vacum cleaner - it's by Jovis, is about £49 and best of all it collects fluids. So essentially you could hoover up wee!

I was thinking of buying this so I can spot clean every day.

Currently, this is my set up:

2 parts of the c&c cage at the back are lined with newspapers then with towels on top. On one side I have a cat litter tray with a box - basically I found a box that was big enough to fit the cat litter tray inside. I read that guinea's like to go to the toilet where they feel safe, so the box encourages them to go there. Inside the litter tray is a layer of barley straw with hay on top. Dangling outside of this is a ball hay rack - so they can eat clean hay while doing their business.

The rest of the cage is fleece. So far my piggies do like going to the dark undercover 'safe' bit of the cage to do their business. I don't get any wee and only a bit of poop on the fleece.

They do drag the hay around a little but I pop it out on the washing line and brush it down with a dustpan brush. I have several fleeces so I can leave one out for a few hours for the hay to blow away.

There pretty good at adhering to my: this is where the hay stays, this is where the fleece starts, rule.


I'm still thinking of investing in the hand held over, because I'm a little OCD on cleaning, and like to see a lovely clean cage :)
 
I use a bird feeder for my guinea pigs hay.

It lies on teh site or stands up. Or you can hang it from a string and they eat from it. It keeps the cage a lot neater than the hay rack used to and they just pull the pieces out of it.

I think I'm going to play it in a tray like mentioned on here though.
 
kat04kt said:
I saw a handheld vacum cleaner - it's by Jovis, is about £49 and best of all it collects fluids. So essentially you could hoover up wee!

I was thinking of buying this so I can spot clean every day.
Click to expand...

I bought a handheld vacuum cleaner from B&M for £15. It was only about a month ago so they might still be selling them. It's a lifesaver - I spot clean poops about 3 times a day and it takes seconds. Definitly worth the investment :))
 
Salt n Peppers mum said:
I have a question about washing fleece in one of these bags, do they not take up most of the room in the washing mashine therefore the piggy fleece loads are gonna be washed with less in so you've got to do more washers?

I am lucky that my machine has a front filter and in 3 years of daily washing piggy stuff I havnt had a problem. I did try the duvet method but it took up half the machine space :{
Click to expand...


The bags are very thin and the material is designed for the water to filter through so the fleece washes much better than using a duvet cover. They take up a very small amount of room. However, I should have bought the XL one as this would have allowed more space for the fleece to move about inside the bag. I have to do 2-3 washes because of the amount of incontinence pads, fleece, beds, etc that I use, but this was the same when I washed everything just loose in the machine. The wash bag dries in an hour on my airer which is another bonus as when I used a duvet cover, it occupied valuable space on my dryer for 3 days.

As I can't clean the filter myself, this has been the best option for me. It's also nice not to have to keep brushing hair off of the washing that I do after the pig wash. :)
 
louise_stocker said:
I bought a handheld vacuum cleaner from B&M for £15. It was only about a month ago so they might still be selling them. It's a lifesaver - I spot clean poops about 3 times a day and it takes seconds. Definitly worth the investment :))
Click to expand...

My Mum is in Cheshire.

Which B&M did you get your handheld? I might ask her to pick me one up! :)
 
Thanks flips, brill idea! One dumb question though, i use liquitab capsules, do i put one inside the bag or just in the drum? they're the sort that go in the machine not the drawer....
 
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