Fleece: Fleece Issues and Cleaning

[rjramer06]

I may have too much fleece in the cage right now, because I am having trouble with keeping it down and straight like most people have theirs in the cages they've shown (I'm going off the pics in the photo gallery). The bottom of my cage measures to 55.5 x 27.5, so what size should my fleece be? Also, how do I get it to lay flat? I'm having a hard time vacuuming everyday because there is so much extra fabric sitting up that gets sucked up.

I use 2 layers of towel as well. But since I only have 2 piggies, would 1 layer be ok?

[wheekers01]

I fold mine under a little. I have 1 pig and I use 2 layers of towels. I would stick to 2 layers for 2 pigs. I also have bricks down in all 4 corners. That helps. If worse comes to worse, just sweep poos up with a little brush and dustpan, I do.

[rjramer06]

Originally Posted by wheekers01

I fold mine under a little. I have 1 pig and I use 2 layers of towels. I would stick to 2 layers for 2 pigs. I also have bricks down in all 4 corners. That helps. If worse comes to worse, just sweep poos up with a little brush and dustpan, I do.

I like the brick idea. I thought about finding some and covering them with fleece (so they weren't so tough). Only issue is they use one corner a lot to do their business most of the time. Do you think a brick in that corner would be ok or should I not do that corner?

[SFailed186]

We tuck our fleece under the coroplast edges.

[rjramer06]

Originally Posted by SFailed186

We tuck our fleece under the coroplast edges.

Do you have any pics of this? I'm not sure what you mean by "under the edges" of the Coroplast.

[wheekers01]

Put a litter box filled with bedding in that corner. That might be enough. Just keep encouraging them to do their business there by putting their poos in it. Your lucky! My pig goes anywhere and everywhere!!

[rjramer06]

Originally Posted by wheekers01

Put a litter box filled with bedding in that corner. That might be enough. Just keep encouraging them to do their business there by putting their poos in it. Your lucky! My pig goes anywhere and everywhere!!

Haha, yeah I thought about doing that as well. I have ton of extra bedding material (CareFresh, I believe) left over from when we switch over to fleece. I just got to find a way to make a litter box now!

And for the MOST part, they go in that corner. I've also found poo in the towel they sleep under. But if I can get my fleece to lay down flat then it would be easier to see where all they do actually go the bathroom at.

Again to all: Any more ideas about getting the fleece to lay down is appreciated!

[SFailed186]

Originally Posted by rljr1001

Do you have any pics of this? I'm not sure what you mean by "under the edges" of the Coroplast.

Since it's like a box you can tuck it over the edges and then pin it down. I'm pretty sure you can see that in my photos or it might be one of the older cage models. Not sure.

[blackarrow]

I cut an extra piece of Coroplast just a smidge smaller in all dimensions than the size of the bottom of the cage with its Coroplast box insert. I cover one side of that extra piece with a waterproof mattress pad, toweling atop that, and then fleece, and I clip that all together with binder clips before laying that whole thing in the bottom of the cage inside the Coroplast box. Very easy to vacuum!

[SheriMartini]

I use a small broom and dust pan. For the pain of having to get the vacuum out, and then find an unused plug that is close (ha! that's a joke!) and then get the fleece to stay down, I find it much easier just to sweep! And then my guys come and say hello to me and popcorn all around.

But binder clips work very well in holding naughty fleece down. I use it in the 2X2 section of my cage and it keeps it from moving around pretty well.

[rjramer06]

Thanks for all the ideas everyone! I am going to get my fleece out and remeasure it all to make sure I don't have to much extra in the way. I really like the idea of the bricks in the corners, as well as clipping it down.

[Skeetersmom]

I also just tuck the fleece under and around the towels. I sometimes used bricks in the corners. I don't vacuum the cage though, I use a small dust broom and pan. It works great!

[goldbryant]

I use fleece with two towels. I fold about 4-5 inches of fleece around and under the towels. I have a large litter pan at one end, but even before I had a litter pan, it wasn't a problem. I use the smallest size shop vac with crazy suction. I use a nozzle with a beveled edge and even then, I don't run it flat across the fleece. If I did, it surely would suck up the fleece. If I run it on the edge, it's enough suction to pick up the poops, but not the fleece.
I also keep it plugged in under the cage and vac twice a day. Very easy.

I use this tool, 3rd from the right.
Craftsman 5 pc. Car Cleaning Kit

[canuckles]

I have been frustrated with my fleece switch as well, I stitched 3 towels to on layer of fleece and made 2 large pads so I have a spare for my 2 x 4 grid main area. But I was wondering, in my upper lever 2 x 1 "Kitchen" area, if i could put a more absorbent bedding and that whole 2 x 1 section could be a "kitchen/ litter box " area. Also, which would be the best suited product for this litter box area, something that does not stick to fleece too much.

Do they mostly go potty where they eat/ drink?

[PiggieMom]

Yes, most pigs go a lot where they eat and drink so a lot of members make a 'kitchen' area and fill it with another type of bedding. I've heard very good reviews of Yesterday's News.

[fieryone]

I cut small slit like holes on the lower sides of my coroplast and feed a little fleece through and clip it from the outside. It stays nice and tight. I have burrowers and they can't get under it anymore, nor do I have problems sweeping out the poos.