Designs, tips and hints.

[Beemz]

So! What happened is we inherited property- it had 16 acres of mostly woodland but there are lots of grassy areas.
I LOVE having the pigs inside as I watch them and can interact but the truth is they take up a quarter of the living room and there isn’t really anywhere else for them.
I am considering designing from scratch a mini stable for the pigs with secure indoor unit, a covered area leading into a very large run.
The issue we have is there are badgers, foxes, stoats and weasels around. The whole set up would need to be COMPLETELY secure but it also needs to be warm enough. I would have them back inside between November and March.
Any ideas on keeping them warm enough, design ideas?
I do have a book on making animal housing so will look at that as well. My husband will be building

 

[Shadow2224]

In order to keep them warm you can insulate it and put small boxes with cutouts for them to cuddle in and use old towels and blankets to burrow in. I bought a heat pad for rabbits that my guinea pigs love and a dog bed that my girl piggies cuddle into. Putting locks on the openings will prevent wild animals from reaching them as some wild animals are smart enough to open a cage. A marble block made for chinchillas and a dry towel from the fridge will keep them cool. You dont want to mist them with water because of their respiratory systems. I'd keep a space inside set up all the time in case of an emergency or if it gets too hot or cold.

Hope this helps

 

[Beemz]

In order to keep them warm you can insulate it and put small boxes with cutouts for them to cuddle in and use old towels and blankets to burrow in. I bought a heat pad for rabbits that my guinea pigs love and a dog bed that my girl piggies cuddle into. Putting locks on the openings will prevent wild animals from reaching them as some wild animals are smart enough to open a cage. A marble block made for chinchillas and a dry towel from the fridge will keep them cool. You dont want to mist them with water because of their respiratory systems. I'd keep a space inside set up all the time in case of an emergency or if it gets too hot or cold.

Hope this helps

Thanks that’s great

 

[Beemz]

This is the area I want to use- their main run can be most of this grass but I want a shed construction which has an inner area, a covered outdoor area leading to the run. Looking at weld mesh and rylock fencing etc to keep beasties out!

 

[Beemz]

Forgot pic

 

[Shadow2224]

That's a really large space. You could do multiple structures with tunnels between them. To make it look really nice and give them a sort of light source at night you could strong fairy lights between the structures. You would just have to make sure the piggies couldn't reach them

 

[Beemz]

That's a really large space. You could do multiple structures with tunnels between them. To make it look really nice and give them a sort of light source at night you could strong fairy lights between the structures. You would just have to make sure the piggies couldn't reach them

LOVE! I’ll be posting photos as it comes along, will take weeks to do this!

 

[gingy pig]

Forgot pic

WOW! thats a beautiful bit of ground,piggies are going to be spoilt,happy building x

 

[Beemz]

Instead of building from scratch we worked out it might be cheaper just to buy made up. My initial plan is to buy this dog run so they have a cosy sleep quarter and also a covered area. Then attach this dog run on. It’s going straight onto grass but plan to re-seed with the mix in photo.
I think the dog kennel will go onto a concrete base which could be good for their nails.

 

[Beemz]

Initial plan

 

[Beemz]

A tube would come out from the play area and then underground coming up inside the run. That way I don’t have to cut any metal for access.

 

[Reenie]

This looks amazing!

 

[Beemz]

This looks amazing!

Very exciting, still trying to cost things and see if copying this and building ourselves would be cheaper,

 

[Shadow2224]

Your guinea pigs are going to love it, I know mine would

 

[Beemz]

Your guinea pigs are going to love it, I know mine would

I reckon they can be in it March to November but I live in Scotland so will probably play it by ear!

 

[Beemz]

6’10” fencing.
Gull (bird of prey) proof over head netting.
We’ve pegged out run area which is 70m2
House is 10” x 4”

 

[Beemz]

Finished design!

 

[Beemz]

I’ve pegged out the run, it’s 70m2

 

[gingy pig]

looks good & spoilt piggies! just a quick question-are you planning on using the 2" weld mesh to make the run? if so, i would suggest using a lot smaller as weasel would definitely be able to get through it x

 

[Beemz]

looks good & spoilt piggies! just a quick question-are you planning on using the 2" weld mesh to make the run? if so, i would suggest using a lot smaller as weasel would definitely be able to get through it x

Yes, 2” mesh but the first two feet from the ground will have added finer mesh which will be partially buried. The key in this build is protection from predators. We are literally surrounded by them