Winter Bedding

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Jess

Jess

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has anyone got any winter bedding suggestions for my piggies living in a shed?
 
You could try fleece? It's warm, soft and dry on their feet, good odour control, and is economical as well as ecological. Wash the fleece a few times before using it, this enables it to wick moisture away to the bottom leaving the top dry, don't use fabric softener as that will prevent it from doing so. Put towels or puppy pads underneath to absorb moisture. Wash in the washing machine once every 2-3 days and spot clean every day. When you wash it though, place it in a pillowcase (mind, don't use this pillowcase for sleeping, reserve for piggy washing) and tie the top with a hairtie that you don't use for your hair (reserved for piggy washing), so any hay stuck to the fleece doesn't clog up your washing machine.

Spot cleaning fleece is so easy, literally all you have to do is sweep up poo with a small dustpan and brush and you're done. It's probably a good idea to use litter trays filled with a bedding (such as Fitch bedding: http://www.fitchrecycling.co.uk/animal-bedding/fitch-pet-bedding.html ) topped with hay for them to eat. More about using and washing fleece in this video:


In addition to the fleece, you can buy fleecy cosies, tunnels etc. to keep them nice and warm. This site sells fleecy tunnels, caves, beds, etc.: http://www.pawsup4cosypets.co.uk/

If you don't want to have to wash the fleece/towels, you can just use Fitch bedding to absorb urine and give your piggies a lot of hay to snuggle in. Doughnut (the piggy in my avatar) has a pigloo that is like a woven basket with a piggy door, it is very warm especially when I put hay in there and maybe cover it with hay too. Newspaper is also great as an extra insulator for hideys, cover a hidey with newspaper and hay and it'll be toasty warm in there.

Some people use straw to help them keep warm, but I would not advise it. Straw is very sharp so there is a pretty good chance of it poking your piggies in the eye.
 
Hi, I currently have them on fleece liners I only want to change as it's getting darker I will struggle with the cleaning everyday especially with the larger fleeces. I still intend to have fleece in the bedroom and upstairs compartments I just need something for the pen areas.

I've read about snowflake? Auboise and Fitch... But just wondering which is the best...
 
That video was helpful maybe I will give fleece another go ! x
 
Hi, I'm really pleased with Aubiose it sweeps up really easy from the patio and from fleece too which is great. I does not move under the piggies like shavings does it beds down as they walk over it. I've just found out on another thread you don't use any layer under the Aubiose it soaks up better without anything under it. The wee goes straight through to the bottom layer and the top layer stays dry....perfect. It's really soft and smells nice. I have this on the landing of my hutches as my boys....manly pip thinks it's great to wee at the top of the stairs! he no longer has a wet bottom from sitting in tiddle as before so this is a winner with me. I liked the Fitch but I have piggies that like to nibble on newspaper etc so I didn't want them eating it. A 20kg bag of Aubiose works out at £12-14 and both my little local pet shops offered to get it in for me when I asked. You only need to clean them out (dust pan and brush/handheld vac needed) once a week it's that good....I poop pick once a day and change the top of the stairs bit mid week, there's no horrid smells after days of usage unlike some other bedding. @Flutterby uses it too and highly recommends it too.
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Jess said:
Hi, I currently have them on fleece liners I only want to change as it's getting darker I will struggle with the cleaning everyday especially with the larger fleeces. I still intend to have fleece in the bedroom and upstairs compartments I just need something for the pen areas.

I've read about snowflake? Auboise and Fitch... But just wondering which is the best...
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Hi jess, ive added a reply about Auboise. It works out the same price as snowflake but I think it's much better than the snowflake :)
 
Mine sleep on/under fleece blankets and on cold nights I add their snuggle safe heat pad. Cardboard boxes with vet bed in is another great tip. If you have any draft areas could you add fleece to that area or fleece screens eg across where the door is at knee hight pegged to Net curtain wire :) or use a curtain or a large fleece blanket hung on the inside of the door to stop the draft.
 
I've got nothing but good thoughts about snowflake, its absorbent, locks in odours and is reasonably soft as well. I put hay over the snowflake and that does me. I also have a heater in my shed to keep the chill out. ;)
 
I use Fitch, it's a fantastic bedding but a bit more pricey but it's is very warm and soft for the piggies to sleep in... and it's doesn't smell, nor is it dusty and it's good with odor control. I'd highly recommend... :)
 
Nope, straight on the hutch floor, it soaks every thing up. ;)
 
Boxes full of hay and you can buy snugglesafes that you heat in the microwave and it holds the heat for up to ten hours.I don't use snugglesafes as mine are inside but have heard good things about them.
 
I have lino tiles on the floor of the piggies hutch. ;) I spot clean every other day, however, they tend to spend most of the day encamped in the buns litter trays! :))
 
Well the piggies showed very little interest and spent more time eating all the hay I put in there and it was a lot! Rory was running around and kept slipping a little when he tried to get his butt through the door. It does smell a lot better I must admit we shall see how it copes :) thank you for the recommendation @BossHogg
 
BossHogg said:
I've got nothing but good thoughts about snowflake, its absorbent, locks in odours and is reasonably soft as well. I put hay over the snowflake and that does me. I also have a heater in my shed to keep the chill out. ;)
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Can second him on this - Snowflake is brilliant! - really soft and keeps everything dry - I do line my wipe clean hutch base with newspaper but that is just so I can roll up the shavings and hay into a big swiss-roll and stick straight into the bin bag - saves time on brushing up. :clap:
 
I have to definitely second the Aubiose bedding! It's absorbant, warm and not dusty. Doesn't stick to fleece or their coat. I love how it smells and how it wicks any moisture away to the bottom, leaving the surface lovely and dry :) My piggies love it!
 
BossHogg said:
I've got nothing but good thoughts about snowflake, its absorbent, locks in odours and is reasonably soft as well. I put hay over the snowflake and that does me. I also have a heater in my shed to keep the chill out. ;)
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I have had that its just as good as hunter x
 
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