How to avoid hay mess on fleece?

[Kimberly713]

I have to make a 2x5 cage work for two pigs in order to fit them in my room for the summer. [Story: They are and always have been indoor pigs, but I have an attic room and only half stays cool enough to live in.] Right now it's got a separate kitchen area with loose bedding I use for the hay racks, love it but too big.

I need ideas to make a 2x5 with somewhere to keep hay contained and off the fleece. I've looked into litter boxes but they are all too big, and would leave less than a 2x4 of full moving space. My two girls 'bicker' ALOT and need ample space to get away from one another. Specifics would be wonderful guys, thanks.

[lissie]

You could build a hay loft and use loose bedding in there.

[spy9doc]

Take a look at my cage on this thread:

http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...ew-cage-3.html

It's currently a 2x4 but I'm going to expand it to a 2x5. The cage is tucked into a very narrow space against a wall where I moved my large desk just enough to permit it to fit in the space.

I have a loft with a large litter box with hay rack, water bottle and pellet dish. There's almost never any hay on the main level and 85% of the poops are in the litter box. Chester uses the litter box for both urine and poops, but Maya is very young and I think still urinates where she pleases, although seems to be getting better about the box.

The set up works very well except for one issue: the loft/litter box really isn't big enough to accommodate two cavies. Chester usually hogs the litter box and leaves Maya to poop just outside the box. When I lengthen the main level, I'm going to work on enlarging the loft as well.

[Kimberly713]

I cant build up, my ceiling won't allow it. it's low and slanted. It could work if the cage was over a foot away from the wall
Spy, I really like your cage it's so tidy looking as in well put together. My pigs go wherever they please, there's no training them to use a box solely.

[go_ellie]

I have a 2x5 C&C cage for my boars. I love it!! I have a big storage bin from walmart filled with bedding and my hay racks above. I have to spot clean twice a day but it works.

[spy9doc]

I understand that few piggies can be litter box trained. But, your original question was about keeping hay off the fleece........and I've shown you what works for me. BTW, thanks for the compliment!

Cavies often tend to use the toilet where their hay is located......mine are no exception. By providing them with a litter box and positioning the hay where they have to be in the litter box to reach it, it really does help to keep the cage tidy. Since we both work from home much of the time, the litter box is cleaned 3-4 times/day.......partly to solve the problem where both of my piggies seem to want to lie in the litter box as well. I suspect that the litter may be cooler than lying on the fleece, but that's just a guess.

My setup really IS do-able for you because the cage is on a grid stand, and the top of the loft is just slightly lower than my printer and computer monitor. You wall must be really low if it won't accommodate this setup.

[Kimberly713]

I'm using fleece pads under the hay rack and cleaning the excess twice a day for now. I'm going to look for a storage bin with low sides, or my mom suggested a kitten litter pan.
I truly cannot build up, the spot where the cage goes normally has a back wall of only 30 inches before it slants with the roof. The rest of the room is about 45inches high but it's an awkward setup. I had a cage with a hayloft before we moved here and it had to be removed and added to the main level.
I love this open feel without a big old kitchen area for their hay, but hay sticking on fleece is my pet peeve :/ Litter pans here I come then, thanks guys. I may be asking for help designing a new cage after summer though

[Kimberly713]

I have a 2x5 C&C cage for my boars. I love it!! I have a big storage bin from walmart filled with bedding and my hay racks above. I have to spot clean twice a day but it works.

Im thinking this is my only option really. Plus cleaning twice a day is Something I do now anyways, anything to keep my fleece clean. It's difficult to be a neat freak with guinea pigs though haha

[go_ellie]

IT is. I am on fleece now, hay isn't a problem, it's all of the hair!!