Converting an outdoor wooden playhouse to use as a hutch?

[cazward]

Hi - I'm new and we're awaiting our gorgeous three boars just before Christmas. Have ordered a Ferplast 140 indoor cage and separate indoor run for the piggies whilst they are babies and over the winter months. We have an existing playhouse in the garden in very good condition that the kids don't really use much. Just wondering if you thought this would be suitable to convert into a big hutch (I will buy a separate outdoor run or maybe I should try and attach one to the shed somehow?)? Any ideas or photos of other converted sheds/playhouses would be gratefully received. Seems silly to buy an expensive (smaller) hutch when we have a roomy little playhouse that isn't being used much except for storage. Would I need to get someone to rig up electricity to it so they have light or would I just add more windows? I was thinking vinyl flooring and a small house/hutch maybe raised a little off the floor so they can hide under it and be out of more draughts etc? Would I just need to build a low fence/wall/barrier just inside the door (which opens outwards)? and make sure the outer door has a bolt and paddlock obviously. Think I would need to add air vents etc.

My father-in-law said he would help me build a hutch and he is pretty handy at these things.

Thanks for any help you want to give me

 

[Connie]

The main thing with piggie housing is - ventilation, -heat and cold. If they are inside in winter, cold shouldnt be an issue. So the main thing is, how much glass is there? Obviously they need natural light but if there is too much glass it will be like a green house and they will get very hot.

However I love your thinking to convert it.

*just as a tag note, can I ask where your lovely piggies are comming from, and if you are aware of the problems boar trios have?

 

[TiddlesMidnight&Squeaky]

However I love your thinking to convert it.

*just as a tag note, can I ask where your lovely piggies are coming from, and if you are aware of the problems boar trios have?

I also love the idea of converting it
but I'd just like to mention that *some* boar trios work perfectly. I had a trio which got on fine with eachother. Another example is Laura Piggiepigpigs. (piggiepigpigs on youtube). She has a trio of boars who live quite comfortably. It all depends on the guinea pig, and the housing etc as 3 boars will need a lot of space and toys etc. Just thought I'd put my little input there, because although some boar trios can end badly, some can live in peace and harmony
xx
Again, I absolutely love the idea you had about the playhouse, I many be getting ferrets soon and I had the same idea for them. Sorry I cant be of much use, but if you do go ahead with these plans keep us updated!

 

[Connie]

I also love the idea of converting it
but I'd just like to mention that *some* boar trios work perfectly. I had a trio which got on fine with eachother. Another example is Laura Piggiepigpigs. (piggiepigpigs on youtube). She has a trio of boars who live quite comfortably. It all depends on the guinea pig, and the housing etc as 3 boars will need a lot of space and toys etc. Just thought I'd put my little input there, because although some boar trios can end badly, some can live in peace and harmony
xx
Again, I absolutely love the idea you had about the playhouse, I many be getting ferrets soon and I had the same idea for them. Sorry I cant be of much use, but if you do go ahead with these plans keep us updated!

Thankyou for pointing it out. I would just like to explain, My main reason for asking wasnt to say "it will never work blah blah blah" more to check that the OP is aware of what they need, such as the extra space and such that you mentioned. They may be getting piggies from an unreliable sorce and not have been informed. On the other hand they may be perfectly aware and doing everything they should be.

 

[cazward]

Thanks for the replies guys - any help is great. Yes, I would keep them indoors about 4 months every winter. I tried to attach a pic of the playhouse but it didn't work cos I'm new. Will try again. Basically it's a playhouse with a central door and two smallish windows covered in perspex on either side. The door has a little hole/flower in the middle that is also covered in perspex. It does get hot in the summer at the top of the garden although that area doesn't get the sun til the afternoon even in the height of summer. I was thinking that at the side of the playhouse there could be a little hole to an outside run (the playhouse sits on a raised area which is covered in play bark at the moment but I would remove this and lay down maybe sand (on top of the existing fabric membrane that stops weeds) and then lots of hay). Thought this could be the run they can use whenever they want and I'll also get one (or carry this one) onto the grass on nice days for them to eat.

 

[cazward]

Re: converting a playhouse

Whoops - sorry, forgot to say that I wasn't aware of many probs about boar trios? I'm getting them from Bucks Rare goat centre where they have been kept together with 2 other boars and have been handled daily by all the kids who visit the centre. They seemed friendly and healthy and alert etc xx

 

[Connie]

The main thing that would worry me is the heat. Piggies get dehydrated very quickly in hot weather. Perhaps A good idea would be to put a thermometer out there in the spring to see what its like.

 

[TiddlesMidnight&Squeaky]

Whoops - sorry, forgot to say that I wasn't aware of many probs about boar trios?

Some boar trios dont work out very well. Its mainly because in a pair its one on one, wheras in a trio it would be 2 on 1. I think thats why they dont work out( not sure, can another member correct me if I'm wrong?). However, you seem like you are planning on giving them loads of space and toys (they'll need a hidey house each) so fingers crossed you'll be fine. We're not trying to "worry" you at all, just trying to make you aware that it *could* happen. xx

 

[Connie]

Whoops - sorry, forgot to say that I wasn't aware of many probs about boar trios? I'm getting them from Bucks Rare goat centre where they have been kept together with 2 other boars and have been handled daily by all the kids who visit the centre. They seemed friendly and healthy and alert etc xx

Boar trios are not NECESSARILY a problem, however they can be. This is because in the wild a herd would only ever have one male in. Other less superior males would hang back and follow them, but not be part. It is for this reason that they are usually best paired or neutered with sows.

A boar trio working is all about the group personality, however you can do some things to help give them a better change. Things such as
- 13sqare ft + of space.
- 3 of everything, such as hideys, water bottles, food bowls, hay racks, toys.
- only ever bathing them at the same time.

I would suggest that when you get them, you make sure they are free of mites/other skin complains. (sypmtoms include hair loss, itchy, open sores)
Any bite marks. Either old healed scars or open ones (they can be mearly millimetres big)

Its great that you are on here researching.

 

[cazward]

Thanks for all your help - I will take your suggestions on board and make sure I give them plenty of room and 3 of everything. x

 

[Connie]

There is a great thread in our behaviour section on boar behaviour. This is very usefull for deciding if things are serious enough to seperate and what is normal and what isnt.