Contemplating Putting The Piggies In The Shed.....

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sophieandhoney

sophieandhoney

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sounds like a punishment!

They live indoors but there really isn't room these days. When I put them in the indoor run the dogs go nuts and I am just pondering the idea of the shed where they would be away from the dogs.

I don't have to move them out and I am not sure I want to yet but it is an idea.

Plan.

1. Jan - April (Easter basically!)
Indoors

2. April - Oct
outdoors in the shed
Windows - covered in chicken wire with a shutter at night. option to put the plastic windows in.
maybe able to put holes/window in the door.
inside - hutch and run,
run during the day
hutch at night. on legs, locked up.
It might be a large outdoor run with a roof or a c and c type cage/run without a roof.
the shed is in a gated off bit of the garden the dogs don't go there at all.

I would cover the floor in correx and floor tiles.

3. Oct - Dec
Indoors

So any advice? suggestions? especially about keeping the shed cold/warm.

thanks
 
I would really appreciate some opinions, like I say I don't have to put them out there, I just think they would have more space especially as in theory they could have the shed to themselves. I could put a ramp up for the hutch and in terms of enrichment it would be better.

having spent much of the day typing next to the cage I do think they are quite bored!
 
Personally I can't see a problem with your idea! Will they still get lots of human interaction when outside? :)
 
yea that's the only possible problem i can see, is will they get enough human interaction? other then that it sounds like a brilliant idea
 
hmmm.
that worries me too if I am honest.

I am not here all day any how, as I am at work. I couldn't put them out during the day and bring them in at night?
 
I am not sure about this. I would go out and feed them each day obviously but two nights I work till 8 and am currently working six days a week so even now on those night they get little time :( .

I would like to have the space in the shed so they can have run time away from the dogs. I used to put them in the conservatory for run time but the dogs sit and whine at the door and so they are restricted to my room which is ok but a bit of a faff! and not as much room.

hmmmm.

The idea of having them out there during the day and indoors at night is not a good idea is it?
 
I could build them a lovely big c and c cage...in the shed.........

and they could use their toys and it could be all set up out there.

*ponders*
 
Personally I have my piggies indoors else I don't feel I would get the full enjoyment if they were outside... That said as long as the shed doesn't get too hot playtime in a shed in the day when can't get outside outside due to the weather sounds good :)
 
I just want them to be able to run a round a bit more. Although the dogs don't do anything directly to them just the noise of the whining upsets them and in the garden they hide a lot.

Does anyone have well behaved dogs with their piggies?
 
I have my piggies in a hutch in a shed, they're allowed to come and go as they please, they have steps up to their hutch so they can get in and out. ;)
 
yes that's what I had in mind. have all the ramps and what not.

Do you keep yours out all year?
X
 
Yep, mine are in the shed all year round, it has light and heating installed. ;)
 
I've just built a new double hutch for my rabbits, in between the shed wall and the hutch wall I've put insulation to help with temperature regulation. Once the shed is fully finished I'll post pictures. ;)
 
I have mine in the garden. I built a low cement block wall around a grassy part of the garden and when I'm home i let them have the run of it. They eat the grass so i don't need a lawn mower :-)

They also have a two story hutch and a low hutch on either end plus a few places to hide here and there.

In the winter i put a heating pad under the flooring section of the two story hutch and fill it with hay so they stay warm.

I do go sit with them as often as i can but they also have each other for company they seem happy to me. I hide food treats here and there so they have to look for it. They seem to like that

I do not bring them indoors i'm not sure if the sudden change in temperature in winter would be good for them.
 
these replies are so helpful, thank you XX

I was wondering about that - if they have each other for company, am not sure I matter to them aside from as source of food.

I think in what I call proper winter (Dec-Mar) they would have to move indoors permanently anyhow Most likely the centrally heated (expensive) conservatory. But over the summer it would be brilliant if they could have the shed. it would mean LOADS more room then in the hutch and a run for a few hours.

so much to think about.

XX
 
Ok.
Put piggies in the run with some toys today and it was so nice to see them pootling around. I do have time off coming up and so have decided to give the shed idea a go.

Have given them water and nuggets so they have been out for a couple of hours now. I really want more of their life to be like this.

Had a look in the shed BOY Is it full of crap! and smaller than in my imagination! One wall will have to be left for my storage but they will still have at least two thirds of it. so hopefully 5 foot by 4?

I think Lino might be cheaper than floor tiles. Definitely chicken wire over the windows and I think I have parts of a pen I can use to make full door if I need more ventilation.

I would use c and c grids to section off much of their space and a ramp up to the hutch.

Questions

1. what about rats?

2. should keep the hutch on legs?

3. how do people clean out such set ups? or even what do you use on the floor? I was thinking wood chip? and a weekly sweep up and clean? with hay boxes.

thanks again
 
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