Combinations

[JarBax]

I am trying out a new bedding combination (for me) this weekend - as whilst the cage for my 4 girls is working well - I think there's room for improvement!

The cage is bedded with fleece on the 5 x 3 base, and for the 1 x 4 part of the upper deck. This picture shows the whole of the upper level decked in fleece to - but it is an older pic (though the sitting room still isn't re-decorated (piggies first! lol)). The 2 x 3 section at the far end is now bedded using megazorb.

...and this is where I am thinking of change. The girls LOVE this area - and now spend a fair bit of time here - and/but seem to like to use it as their toilet area. Thus the megazorb is being tested to the limit!

I have been using a good 3 - 4" layer (especially at the hayrack end) of megazorb - but after a couple of days, it really does start to smell. This is disappointing, as megazorb claims to be theee most absorbant and fragrant bedding - for horses - and you know how much liquid waste they produce! (It is highly recommended over here for small animals too!) So - after reading recently about someone using shredded paper over fleece, I reckon I'm going to see how it works on top of the megazorb.

I know my girls like the stuff - I use it in their hideys at floortime. I am aware of it's limitations - it's lack of absorbancy, and ability to trail all over the cage! However, I can bring sackloads of the stuff free home from work, I can compost it and I can change it daily. And the girls love hiding in it.

I'm not really sure what my expectations are - but it's got to be worth a go!

 

[FoolOnTheHill]

I really like your cage JarBax! It's very neat and tidy and I also like the wavy cut on the correx.
I don't really understand what you meant with the shredded paper ~ are you putting a layer of shredded paper on top of the megazorb? Sorry lol
Well, in my cage I have a 5x3 area with fleece, and a 1x2 sticking out to house the bottom of the ramp which goes up to the fleeced 1x4 loft. The 1x2 bit has shredded paper on top of sheets of newspaper, as I have just put a hay rack there. It seems to be okay, although I've only had it for a day or two. I shall report back soon!
One tip ~ go outside with the sack of shredded paper and stir it round in the bag. You will be surprised by the amount of dust created (I didn't want the pigs breathing it all in).

 

[Terekins]

That's too bad that it smells. It certainly doesn't hurt to try something different, I agree. I have to say, I am so impressed with your cage! I can't get over how big it is, it's great. I currently have 2 pigs and a 2 level 2x4 (both levels are the same size), and this is working well except I'm expecting grandchildren soon. My crew might double in size and I can't imagine them all in a cage that size. You're an inspiration!

 

[JarBax]

Awww - thankyou for those kind comments! It will keep my heart merry as I slave away with yet another piggy load of fleece!

FOTH - yes - I am putting the shredded paper on top of the megazorb - sorry I didn't make that too clear!

I have only taken one pic. so far:

I know it's not great - but gives you an idea of what I mean! The girls are in their floortime pen at the moment - and they will be in there overnight. They missed out on their weekly floortime last weekend, as I had visitors, and just cleaned out their cage - with them in it. Maybe it was just my imagination - but they did seem a little more crotchetty than usual (or maybe Emm is just being particularly hormonal!) They seem to have settled down well in their pen - and hope they benefit from the change of scenery!