Do you think that this home will keep two guineas happy?

[Anwen2011]

Hey guys

I'm new here, and I need some help with possible housing. Now, I haven't got the guineas yet, I probably won't get some for a few months when I know that I'm doing everything right ready for them, but we've got a shed which is 6ft by 6ft. There are windows, but these can be replaced with mesh so the guineas don't overheat in the summer. I know that they can suffer in the winter, so I have been looking for overhead heat lamps to put in the shed. It has an electric supply, so I have somewhere to plug in a heat lamp, and there is about enough room to accomodate two guineas quite happily. I do an animal care course, so I know the basics of guinea pig care like they need Vit.C and hay daily to munch on, but I'm not too sure on their housing requirements. Can someone please tell me if they think that my plans will be alright for them? They'll get a thick layer of sawdust and hay in their little shed, and like I said before they'll be a heat lamp for them so they don't get cold.

Any advice, critiscms or tips are appreciated

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Sounds lovely having a shed for them but heat lamps I'm not sure about :... Apart from the cost of running them, I'd look for an alternative. Fire risk would be my main concern with anything electrical.
Heat pads for piggies are great and stay warm for around 10 hours and properly insulated hutches should be ok:
http://www.vetuk.co.uk/cat-accessor...-626_325/snugglesafe-heat-pad-and-cover-p-250
My lot are indoors but there are members on here who have piggy sheds who will be able to give you some tips. One thing I would say but don't want to frighten you is members have had piggies stolen from their gardens :0 so invest in great security for them.
Good you have researched about them too p
Forgot to add, sawdust is not the best for them, can trigger respiratory problems so would recommend fleeces or vet bed.
Everybody does things differently but you'll get some great ideas and choose what to use.

 

[nutmeg]

For heating a lot of people use electric oil filled radiators, so there are no exposed elements. Just consider the cable so they can't get at it to chew. They have worked well for me, also for winter I have curtains over the window to open/close, and an opened up sleeping bag hung over the inside of the door to avoid draughts. If they are going to free range in the shed, you could consider covering your floor with an off cut of lino, so urine wouldn't damage the floor, on this you could put dry nites covered with hay. Mine love that. Sounds like you are going to have some lucky guinea pig. xx

 

[Anwen2011]

Thanks for the heads-up about the sawdust guys, and for the heat lamp as well! I'll go for either the heat mat or radiator, so thanks for that. I'll make sure I keep the shed well secured as well so they don't get stolen. I should be okay...There are gates either side of our alleys so the only people who can get to them are residents, but I'll secure them all the same

Oh, another question: Is it better to get 2 females or 2 males?

 

[xchocolatexmustardx]

I've got two boys. I love them so much, the only problems I see with them is once they get to a certain age they can have a falling out (so I hear) so you have to make sure they have enough room, and if you ever want to expand it is harder because you can't add more boys and just hope it will work out. It is fairly rare. But I love my piggies just the same.

 

[Connie]

Neither males or females are "better" but please be aware if you get two males you will never be able to add more (unless one male passes away) however females can live in much bigger groups. (i have males, and i love them, but ive never kept females!)

 

[lily 74]

I think your protential guineapigs will be living in luxury! wish I had room for a shed

I have both boars and sows living in separate groups, and for me the only reason I like the sows is because I can have more than two in a herd

 

[Anwen2011]

Thank you for all your input guys! And thanks for the nice comments.

I have another question...In the shed there's a kind of a brick wall-thing. It's about 30cm x 30cm (Height and width). I was wondering, if I do get these guineas do I:
1) Get rid of the wall
2) Knock some bricks out from the bottom to make a doorway so the piggies have somewhere warm to sleep/hide, and put a hinged wooden door on the top so I can clean it out and check on them if I need to, and maybe construct a ramp so the piggies can get to the top (Obviously I'll put plenty of bedding below incase they slip off to give them a soft landing). I'm not too sure, but if you guys could help me with that as well it'll be greatly appreciated. Would it get too hot in there in the summer, or will a shaded brick area keep nice and cool?