BethanyRose
Young Bun
Hi, I have put a message on here before about my outdoor 6 month old Netherland Dwarves. They are in an Eglu hutch and run, but refuse to sleep in the hutch. They are determined to stay in the run in all weathers and at night. The floor has half kids sponge play matting which they love to sleep on. This also keeps them off the floor a little so they are dry. The whole length of the run is covered with an Omlet rain cover (which is useless as it only covers the top not the sides, a blanket and taurpalin. I have also put wicker garden chairs that go down to the floor around each side to block any wind! In the day obviously I pull the taurpalin back from the front so they can see out etc.
On sunny days I remove all the covers. On on/off rainy days I have to keep the taurpalin on the whole time with just the front open otherwise the run gets wet, it's abit of nightmare constantly having to adjust it to get the balance between keeping them warm/dry/seeing out! Anyway, I am still totally stuck of what to put in their hutch. I have tried every combination under the sun to get them to sleep in there and not keep pooing and weeing everywhere in there.
I've tried paper and straw, just straw, litter box and straw, litter box and hay, paper and hay. I'm not sure why it is suggested to use hay as bedding? Because obviously they just poop all in it and wouldn't want to sleep on poop? The advice is change bedding once a week?? But I feel like I have to change the hutch at least ever other day as there is so much poop? They never ever poop or wee in their run. They have a main litter box in their with their Timothy Hay. I just want to get them to stop using the Eglu as their main toilet and maybe nap in there! Any ideas??
On sunny days I remove all the covers. On on/off rainy days I have to keep the taurpalin on the whole time with just the front open otherwise the run gets wet, it's abit of nightmare constantly having to adjust it to get the balance between keeping them warm/dry/seeing out! Anyway, I am still totally stuck of what to put in their hutch. I have tried every combination under the sun to get them to sleep in there and not keep pooing and weeing everywhere in there.
I've tried paper and straw, just straw, litter box and straw, litter box and hay, paper and hay. I'm not sure why it is suggested to use hay as bedding? Because obviously they just poop all in it and wouldn't want to sleep on poop? The advice is change bedding once a week?? But I feel like I have to change the hutch at least ever other day as there is so much poop? They never ever poop or wee in their run. They have a main litter box in their with their Timothy Hay. I just want to get them to stop using the Eglu as their main toilet and maybe nap in there! Any ideas??