Guinea Pigs And Chickens

[GPcrazy]

I'm not really sure if this is the correct section to post this in...

I'm still very much at the researching phase, so just finding out info.
I currently have 2 guinea pigs (sows). They are housed indoors. I'm currently having an outdoor pen/run constructed for them where they can have lawn time, safe from cats and birds. They use this area 2-3 times a week, currently only for 1 hour at a time (I have to sit with them as it's not yet safe from cats), but once the run is constructed they might be in it for 2-3 hours at a time. Again though, only 2-3 times a week (when I'm home during the day). The rest of the time they are in their C&C cage indoors.

I am now, however, starting to consider (still very much in planning/wondering stages) getting some chickens (hens) to keep as well, so that I can 'grow' my own free range eggs for my family. Obviously I won't house the chickens and guinea pigs together, but I'm wondering if they can use the same run (at different times)? Or would the chickens introduce disease to the piggies? Would their poop cause problems?
I'm mostly thinking of getting/creating a mobile chicken coop for the chicks, but I'm not yet sure. We have a very small garden so not all that much space, so I thought if both the piggies and the chickens could use the same run (at different times) it might work well. I could perhaps let the chickens free range the garden while the piggies are in the run or something like that.

 

[cassybaby89]

I'm not really sure if this is the correct section to post this in...

I'm still very much at the researching phase, so just finding out info.
I currently have 2 guinea pigs (sows). They are housed indoors. I'm currently having an outdoor pen/run constructed for them where they can have lawn time, safe from cats and birds. They use this area 2-3 times a week, currently only for 1 hour at a time (I have to sit with them as it's not yet safe from cats), but once the run is constructed they might be in it for 2-3 hours at a time. Again though, only 2-3 times a week (when I'm home during the day). The rest of the time they are in their C&C cage indoors.

I am now, however, starting to consider (still very much in planning/wondering stages) getting some chickens (hens) to keep as well, so that I can 'grow' my own free range eggs for my family. Obviously I won't house the chickens and guinea pigs together, but I'm wondering if they can use the same run (at different times)? Or would the chickens introduce disease to the piggies? Would their poop cause problems?
I'm mostly thinking of getting/creating a mobile chicken coop for the chicks, but I'm not yet sure. We have a very small garden so not all that much space, so I thought if both the piggies and the chickens could use the same run (at different times) it might work well. I could perhaps let the chickens free range the garden while the piggies are in the run or something like that.

I do not have chickens and I am not an expert but I am pretty sure that I read that the pigs can not be on the same grass where there are chicken droppings it can get them sick.

 

[Caron's Cavies]

Hmm not sure but I personally would not. It may be worth though asking your piggy savvy vet if chickens can pass on diseases etc to your piggies. They are qualified to be able to give you the full details so you can make the right choice. xx

 

[Kit06]

A couple of things from experience of keeping both hens and piggies:
1) In a small garden it may be best to keep the chickens in a fixed covered run with suitable bedding that you clean out/ poo pick regularly. Chickens are very destructive and any grass soon turns to a mud/poo puddle. Even if you move the run everyday you still need quite a lot of space to let each patch recover before they can go on it again. A fixed run is perfectly manageable in a small garden and you can find lots of advice on the Omlet forum as many people prefer to keep their chickens like this.
2) You really wouldn't want piggies going anywhere near where chickens have been. Piggies have very short legs so their tummies are practically dragging on the floor. Chicken poo is pretty disgusting so you wouldn't want it coming into contact with the piggies at all.

 

[GPcrazy]

A couple of things from experience of keeping both hens and piggies:
1) In a small garden it may be best to keep the chickens in a fixed covered run with suitable bedding that you clean out/ poo pick regularly. Chickens are very destructive and any grass soon turns to a mud/poo puddle. Even if you move the run everyday you still need quite a lot of space to let each patch recover before they can go on it again. A fixed run is perfectly manageable in a small garden and you can find lots of advice on the Omlet forum as many people prefer to keep their chickens like this.
2) You really wouldn't want piggies going anywhere near where chickens have been. Piggies have very short legs so their tummies are practically dragging on the floor. Chicken poo is pretty disgusting so you wouldn't want it coming into contact with the piggies at all.

How often would I have to muck out the run if it was a fixed run? Id be looking at 2-3 hens.

 

[Kit06]

Some people do it every day (!). I tended to leave mine on aubiose - rake it over once a week and dig the whole lot out after a few months. Worked ok with a small number of hens. Has to be covered though or else the rain just turns it into a sloppy mess. I'd get 3 hens rather than two - less chance of bullying. Bantams are easier in a small space (I've had pekins, booted bantams, silkies etc - all very friendly) but if you're after eggs you are better going with a hybrid layer variety (although they tend to conk out after a few years)