Newbie Post & Questions

[Heather_GP]

Yeah, we got that ferplast one but the 100. We was just 'saving' him and from the tiny birdcage he was in... it seemed massive, didn't really have a clue, so i've been trying to do my research to find out about what's suitable and the advice i've got here has been great, so thank you!

@Princess_Piggie what cage type do you have now, the c&c one?

 

[Princess_Piggie]

I currently have the rabbit 160 cage from ferplast, which is just under 10 sq ft (inner measurements) so it's around the size of a 2x4 C&C. While it is suitable and the girls have plenty of space, ideally I'd like to have a C&C myself, but I just can't afford it at the minute. I'm probably going to get round to getting one in the next few months, but since it's not imperative I'm not pressing myself too much.

 

[Heather_GP]

Ah right, thank you! I've discussed getting one, if the cost is split three ways, along with fleece and some washable 'pee pads' to be more cost effective! Is that suitable?

One thing I've noticed is that he doesn't run around much, he has his mad 2-minutes every now and then, but thats about it?

 

[Princess_Piggie]

For pee pads you can always use towels, I use towels as my absorbent layer and they work just fine! Even more cost effective if you have some old ones lying around you don't want to use any more. I just bought a set from Argos for £10 for mine. If you're going with actual pee pads though, like the kind you'd put in a babies crib, try and find incontinence pads instead, bed sized ones, that way you won't have to fit loads together.

Do you know how to do the fleece wicking already or do you need some tips?

You haven't had him very long, it'll take a while for him to get comfortable enough to popcorn and zoom loads. My girls wouldn't leave their hideys for a while, but now it's got to the point where when I'm putting hay in the cage, I have them doing zoomies around me and popcorning over my hands! Just give him time to warm up.

 

[Heather_GP]

I was going to get the incontinence pads, however if towels work just as well, i'm sure there could be some spare. Dependent on how many towels are needed?

I haven't a clue on fleece wicking, so some tips would be great! thank you!

That sounds adorable! He popcorns when he's under this sheet thing and it's adorable haha

 

[Princess_Piggie]

Well, I only use one, (at a time), but you'd need to allocate 2 (or more) so as when one's being washed, there's another one to go in. I can get away with one because I have extra pee pads (that I made myself) strategically placed in places that get peed on the most, so as it's got extra absorbency. I think people who just have fleece and towel without any extra pads use two at a time generally.

Your fleece needs to be 100% polyester. I use argos fleece blankets, but any polyester fleece will do. It needs washing 3-4 times before putting in the cage (and allowed to dry in between washes), with detergent only, no fabric softener or dryer sheets etc. You can also put 1 cup of vinegar in, some people say it speeds it up, I've never done it personally. After the few washes, just pour a little bit of water on to the dry fleece, with kitchen towel or something underneath. If it soaks right through to the towel, it's wicking the moisture. If it takes any longer than about 10 seconds, it needs washing more. Basically you have to break down the fibres, so as any urine will go right through the fleece on to your towels, leaving the fleece dry (and more importantly hygienic) for the pigs to sit on.

 

[Heather_GP]

I read somewhere that micro-fleece does it straight away? I'm not sure. I never gave argos a thought though, will have a browse now! Thanks!

How often do you change the towels? If their was no pee pads?

 

[Princess_Piggie]

Regardless of the fleece type, it still needs wicking before it can be used. Different people find different fleece works for them. Some will say anti-pill is the best, others swear against it.

I imagine if there was no pee pads, every 4 days would probably be best. To start off with, I'd just keep looking under the fleece. If the towel still looks relatively dry, it doesn't need changing. When you start to feel/notice dampness in the towel, change it.

Pee pads are pretty easy to make, though. I haven't done anything fancy, literally just sandwiched towel between two piece of fleece and stitched it all together in the size I need it in.

(broken link removed) this is what I use, I have a few in different colours. I find it wicks better than other fleeces because of it's texture (it's cuddle fleece, it's hot a higher pile to it).

ETA: I hand stitched the pads, in case you're thinking you'd need a sewing machine. If you buy darning needles, they go through all the fabric pretty easily.

 

[Heather_GP]

I might try my hand at sewing then!
So if I made some, i'd put the pee pads, towel and fleece?

Thank you ever so much for your help!

 

[Princess_Piggie]

I put the pads on top of the fleece, so as I can change them every few days. The two corners where they pee the most also happen to be where they lie/sleep the most, so being able to change them and flip them regularly means they're pretty much never sitting in anything dirty.

You're absolutely welcome!

ETA: If you plan on putting a pad in their hidey like I do, make it a bit bigger than the hidey so as the hidey holds it down, otherwise you'll just end up with them getting under it or pooping under it and stuff.