a bit of advice please

[JoBo]

Hi as some of you know from previous posts i am in the process of having a hed and run purpose built for my herd. The only issue i have is the run which will be rooofed and attached to the shed so that the herd can have full access to it.
My issue is i am not sure what to use as flooring as i can not put it on grass as the pigs will eat all the grass very quickly and it will just turn to mush and muck (i know this cause i have tried to put a build in run on grass before) It needs to be an area that i can clean regularly but something the herd will enjoy being out on.

I appreciate that a lot of you on the forum keep your pigs indoors but if any of you keep your pigs lilke this then i would love to hear from you. Pictures would also be great.

 

[lauralucy]

i would put it on concrete as it can be easily hosed down. its also good for wearing down piggy nails.

 

[Rachel WD]

Mine are indoors but would paving slabs/flags be the best bet? You can hose and brush them to clean them, put pretty much anything on them ie toys, grass trays, beds etc and it isn't slippery.

 

[JoBo]

concrete slabs were my first thought and i would fill the area with hay racks and hidey holes and toys, i was just not sure if it would be the best idea which is why i wanted your opinions, its great to think i was on the right lines, thanks guys, if anyone has any other suggestions i am willing to hear them all.

 

[Furries]

Hmm, I know that concrete slabs can eventually deform a rabbit's feet because they're too hard. I would therefore think that it's likely that a hard floor would have the same effect on bare piggie feet.

I know some rabbit owners use bark chippings, but these will eventually get soiled and need replacing. Sand is soft but could easily get in their eyes.

Although the grass will get demolished very quickly, if your run has an overhanging roof, I'm not sure how muddy it would get, therefore, would bare earth be better?

I did have a quick look over on Rabbits United Forum for suggestions of floorings for runs and whilst I know there are posts on this as I've read them before, I couldn't find any.

I'm sorry I can't come up with a suitable solution, but I do think hard slabs won't do your pigs' feet any good.

 

[CiaraPatricia]

I think concrete or slabs would be the best. My rabbits and guinea pigs have runs on concrete and are fine, for over a year now. It's easy to clean, just sweep up with a dustpan and brush and hose it down every now and again. I don't know if it harms their feet, just saying mine are fine.

You could put down something like wood shavings on top, which would stay dryish under the roof, but would get a bit damp and need changing quite a lot (like once a week or so I'd think, depending on how many pigs and how big the run is).

I wouldn't really have dry earth, because it would be impossible to clean . . .