Building A New Hutch.... To Build Or Not To Build

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Jessmacg

Jessmacg

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Good Morning all,
I got my piggies over Christmas when they were about 6 weeks old. However, one of our pig was pregnant and the babies were both girls so we kept them. The hutch we got them is big enough for two fully grown piggies but no where near big enough for four. We have kept them in the original hutch for a few months as none of them are fully grown yet (the big ones are 6 months and the babies are 2 months) and there is still enough space for them all. But they are all growing very quickly and soon they will out grow it.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience building/extending hutches and can offer any advice or would it be better to go and buy a new one?

Thanks
 
@BossHogg Tagging in a fellow admin as he is quite handy and may have some tips
 
I haven't got the floor space for two big hutches, however, if I build in one end of my shed, I can get 2 massive hutches built in. A good sized hutch is approx anything up to £200, I need 2 big hutches to house 4 big rabbits. It's going to cost me £100 to buy the wood to build mine, my local wood merchant says he will cut the pieces to size and deliver so all I have to do is assemble, this is a plan of what mine will look like.

HUTCHPLAN_zps899db14a.gif
 
I'm having g my hutch built. It's 100 quid plus 20 for delivery which I haven't got a problem with. I'd love to build one but I haven't got the time to do it.
The chap gives me updates every couple of days and posts me pics so I can see how he is getting on
 
Thanks for this, so it seems like getting one made seems to be a more cost effective method. I may look into some wood merchants around my area and see what they come up with
 
Most hutches and cages that are mass produced are nowhere near big enough for more than a few piggies. I had mine custom built.

They are 5 and a half by 2 ft, three floors, approx 33 square ft. I plan to eventually have 5 in each. If you know someone who is handy with wood then perhaps you could extend your current hutch. My old hutches were not extendable so I donated them to a rescue.
 
Can i ask what wood is safe to use? i know it has to be non-toxic wood but what wood is non toxic and where can i get it?
 
piggyme234 said:
Most hutches and cages that are mass produced are nowhere near big enough for more than a few piggies. I had mine custom built.

They are 5 and a half by 2 ft, three floors, approx 33 square ft. I plan to eventually have 5 in each. If you know someone who is handy with wood then perhaps you could extend your current hutch. My old hutches were not extendable so I donated them to a rescue.
Click to expand...
#weljel of that shed!
 
Haydan said:
Can i ask what wood is safe to use? i know it has to be non-toxic wood but what wood is non toxic and where can i get it?
Click to expand...
I'm building mine with 12mm plywood, I think most wood bought from uk suppliers is safe, providing you make sure it hasn't been treated with bitumen or creosote/other toxic preservative.
 
Hey guys I'm also building my rabbit an out door cage it's 5 foot in length 2 foot wide and two foot tall with a second layer to be added in the bedding area!

The rabbit is quite small male :)

Do you think this will be ok?
10390264_10204070742075621_650849971302655694_n.webp
 
A rabbit needs a bare minimum of a 6x2x2ft hutch by RSPCA and RWAF standards :-) be a perfect pig hutch mind.
 
Haha! that's true but I already have two and I could always put an extension on it :) hmm ideas ... ideassss :D
 
I have just built a hutch myself. For my four piggies. The best thing I ever did, they love it.

Mines just a basic L shape and I have it in my bed room, I would advise building as they cost a small fortune to buy, only cost me about 30 pound to buy wood and mesh.

If you are thinking of using mesh BNM sell it for £2.99 a roll, in BNQ it's 15 pound. Hope this helps x
 
I've bought this mesh for my hutches. It's 2ft x 3ft and galvanised so it's a bit stronger than the stuff you get on a roll. It's only £3.99 a sheet from Wickes. ;)

T0244_187722_00_PP_300Wx300H
 
I've had to get that type as Mary keeps trying to bite the boys through the bars of their current hutch.
 
That's the mesh I used :) My home made hutch is completed now! took two days!

Would of took one if it weren't for this Manchester weather haha!
 
So there is an offer on at pets at home at the moment and I have vouchers which bring the same hutch we already have down to about £30. So we are going to get that and join to two together wish us luck! :)
 
I'm ready to build mine, however, its rained solid for 3 days! :(
 
Hi I can produce whatever size or style of hutch you require. I can also deliver to your neck of the woods.
If interested please feel free to pm me with your requirements.
Thank you
 
They love it. The first morning after it was done I came down and they were all huddled in the original hutch but now they are used to it. So much harder for me to catch them but they are so much happier :)
 
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