New bedding experiement - more hay friendly version...

[cutemomome]

A few weeks ago, a member posted on how to make fleece more "hay friendly", and the replies were not that much you can do about it.
I've used fleece for a few months now, and I absolutely loved it. It's keeps the pigs dry, with the cotton beneath it, it makes a soft carpet for the pigs to run and pop on. (Beibei has just recently mastered the art of popcorn, in the begining, she can't seems to pop and land on all 4 feet!!!)

So, as my friends heads for the spa on weekends, I head out for Joanns. I explained what I wanted, they looked at me like I'm from outer space, but still helped.

I want something with a smooth surface, and liquid will seep and be absorbed by the cotton umderneath. The 2 ladies recommended a 100% based cotton fabric, (not sure specific name), and I picked a Teddy Bear design, picked up my usual cotton blankie, and off home we go.

It has been almost 2 weeks since I've switched to the cotton fabric, and I love it. Sweeping up the hay kicked out by the girls is VERY easy. So is sweeping up stray pellets and veggie shreds. The only thing negative about it is that it stains really easily. (I'm a neat freak). It absobs the color of raddishes and kale really quickly, however, a quick spray of shout before it goes in the laudary solves such issues.

Since we made the change, we've added a huge haybox (1*2) in their cage so they can burrow and kick the hay to their hearts content. Made by connecting 2 packing boxes together.


Sorry about the picture, best I can do, lost camera in luggage. only has a phone... Before the hay box addition.

Another thing we've noticed is that cotton has a naturally cooler surface temperature, that makes the California summer more bearble for the pigs, they like to lie on the cotton and chill in the afternoons. (less inclined to use the bricks as before) The price is also cheaper than fleece, $3/yard.

Please let me know what you all think of this bedding set up. I am sure there is a reason for the use of fleece, and I just want to make sure that this set-up will work for my piggies, because it's working miracles for me! I am not a art-and-craft type person, before the pigs, I've never entered a fabrics store before, so...... please tell me is this ok!!!
Thanks all,
Momo

 

[Zeander]

Could you find out the name of the fabric please? I'd like to try it.

 

[cutemomome]

Honestly, she told me just any 100% cotton fabric will do, and it helps if you give it a wash beofre its first use, it makes the fabric more "open" to allow liquids to seep through!!!

 

[Fujiko]

Maybe it's canvas?

 

[pennick]

Looks and sounds like a baby crib blanket. I purchased a few crib blankets for my cage. Double sided cotton with a thin layer of absorbancy material in between. I used this for the 2nd and third level of my cage. I placed cheap carpet mats underneath the cotton blanket and I thought it was great . It absorbed pretty well and nothing sticked to it like the hay and shavings from my bottom level.

I recently changed to vetbed so I don't use it anymore.

 

[StrangeKat]

That fabric looks just like my baby blanket, so that's what I'm going to guess it is too. Where can you buy vetbed in the states?, so far I've only heard of that being used overseas.