Do you think this is big enough?

[CiaraPatricia]

Hi, my piggies are outdoors only, since I live with my parents. I live in Ireland so it's fairly mild. And in winter they'll either be in the shed or I'll get them hutch covers and Snuggle safe heat pads.

I have two girls and two boys. Each of the pairs have a double-hutch that is 104 X 52 cm, the bottom level is a run, that's the biggest I could afford at the time. I wish I had gone for the bigger sizes now, but I thought these would be ok for pigs. They sleep in these at night and stay in if the weather is bad or the grass isn't growing enough. Now the problem is I want to get more girls!

They also have 2 runs, one is 3' X 2' and one is 4' X 3.5', and they take turns going in the bigger one. I can't let them free roam in the house or garden since I have alot of cats. So does this sound big enough for them? Would they be happy enough? Should I just stick with the guinea pigs I have now, or do I have room for a couple more girls? The bigger run seems to have enough space for them and they love it but in the winter they mightn't be able to use it, unless I put it on the patio for them . . .

I feel bad for my pigs because they mostly stay in the sleeping part of their hutches and don't run around much except to come out to eat. When they're in the runs they come out and eat grass and the boys run around. I'd love for them to run around and have fun. Is it cruel to keep them somewhere when they don't run around much?

I'm getting a new run for my rabbits, which will be 7' X 3' so the guinea pigs can have a few hours in that to play in that if they ask the rabbits really nicely It'll be on concrete so they can use it all year round. I would get one for the pigs too, but the garden is small and I already have 3 dogs, 5 cats and the rabbits too, so my dad won't let me fill the whole garden with runs!

Thanks for anyone who can give me advice

 

[CiaraPatricia]

I forgot to mention that in the downstairs of their hutch they have lots of toys, tubes, hidey houses, and their food and water and hay, but they only go down there to eat. The rest of the time they just stay in the sleeping area. Anyway to get them to be more active? I worry they're bored in the hutches

 

[sophiew (EAGPR)]

hi

Welcome to the forum and well done for looking for advice about your piggies.

The recommended minimum size for a pair is 4' x 2' = 120cm x 60cm. Guineas like floor space i.e open space to do circuits in! Hideys and tunnels are fine but they shouldn't clutter up the space too much.

The trouble with double hutches, as you've found, is that guineas sometimes tend to live on one level, which in itself is below the recommended minimum size. Guineas are not natural climbers (not designed for it!) and some don't like ramps at all - others take them in their stride though.

I wouldn't add any more guineas to your current space, especially if they mainly only use one level. Is the run part of the hutch on grass or concrete? Are the guineas happy to use the ramp? You can make it easier by making the ramp less steep (put a brick under it at the bottom to reduce the incline), adding sides to it to make them feel more secure, adding more 'rungs' to grip or putting old carpet / matting on it for grip.

Sophie
x

 

[CiaraPatricia]

Thanks

They do use the ramp, the boys seem to love it actually. The double hutch's run is on concrete. But their other runs are on the grass. They can use these all summer. The bigger run on the grass is great for them, they seem really happy in it, but in the winter it would have to be on the concrete, and then they can still use it on nice days, but it'll probably be cold and wet all summer

I know they don't have much floor space in the double hutches, so I guess I won't get more guinea pigs, unless I buy a new hutch for them

 

[CiaraPatricia]

I just had a thought, in the double hutch's runs, if I put something around the edges to block off a few inches, like the way people have correx around C&C cages, then maybe the guinea pigs will feel more secure in there, but still have lots of light and ventilation.

It's mainly the girls who seem nervous to go downstairs the most. But maybe they just need some time to get used to it too, since they've just moved into these hutches recently. And my two girls are a little nervous, since they're shop bought pigs. The boys are scared of nothing

 

[CiaraPatricia]

I was just looking on the website I bought my double hutches and found runs (116cm X 109cm) that fit onto the front of them. I'm so happy, I'm gonna ask my dad can I buy them. I have the money myself but I just need permission because he doesn't want me to fill the garden up with runs . . . the guinea pigs will be so happy! :<>

 

[Pig.Piggie]

Awesome on finding runs to go with your already set hutches!

 

[CiaraPatricia]

Yep, it was lucky! And they're quite cheap, and pretty big too. It should double the square footage of the hutches, and it'll be a big square space, so they can do laps! I'm so excited to get them, then I have to get a few little houses to put out there and tunnels and everything

Also good news that Lola has started to use the bottom level of the hutch, so hopefully Sukie will start copying her. And the boys and running up and down the ramp like mad!