Have bought cage, do I need run before Spring?

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KookyK

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I've bought a cage now, so getting closed to being ready to adopt 2 rescue piggies I hope. I've bought this cage, what do we think?
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Did that work?

Also as it has an enclosed lower level 'run' do I need to buy a separate run for the grass for the winter, or can I get away with waiting and getting one for Spring (if I can spread the cost at no detriment to the piggies I'd like to try)? I was planning to get an indoor run for now (autumn/winter). I'm asking, particularly, if anyone knows the sort of things rescue centres look out for, as I guess they might home visit me before I can adopt?

ETA it's 5 ft long in case that's useful to know!
 
I think they'll be fine with just the hutch, cos it's big. :) I think a rescue would have no problem with it. Though some rescues won't rehome to outdoor homes, so just so you're aware of that.
 
Ooh that's lovely, I am quite jealous of that hutch!

Rescue centres will want a run, Bobtail's have all their home check list things on their website, or I have it somewhere I can scan it in and email it to you if you like. They want them to have access to a run that's bigger than the size of the bottom of your hutch, so you would need to buy one or make one, we are building our own this time round as Mum is pretty handy with the DIY stuffs and the materials were cheaper than the corresponding size run anywhere online!
 
If you have an indoor run, I'm sure that'll be fine though. They can't really expect pigs to be out on the grass all winter, the grass would never last :))

But actually, I was just thinking . . . if you have them inside in an indoor run for a few hours a day, and then put them out at night, that's bad for them, because they won't be used to the cold.
 
I saw that hutch on ebay! I think it's the same one. :) So you are the lucky winner? :(|) Yes I think you should get a run, then your piggies can have lots of exercise and enjoy the grass! :(|)
 
I'm an idiot, I didn't read your post properly and missed the indoor run bit!
 
Yes it was on ebay! It's 5 ft so nice and big indeed!

As far as indoor run goes I was going to jump on the ELC ballpool bandwagon but don't know if that'll be ok with rescue centre?

When do you stop letting them out into an outdoor run? I got the impression it's bad for them if grass is wet and weather cold which I'd have thought Oct onwards it would be?

Doeylicious I'll try and look up the Bobtails list, will let you know if I can't find it. Thanks for suggesting it!

Thanks all!

ETA I would put hutch in garage (not used for cars) during colder times - do you think that'd be acceptable (with lots of insulation/heated pad etc)?
 
Ooh another Q - if guineas are outside or in sheds/garages where do you put them for exercise in winter if indoors is unsuitable as per CiaraPatricia's post (i.e. too much time indoors will mean they are not used to the temperatures outside)?
 
I have outdoor piggies, and when I first had piggies, I just kept them in their hutch for the winter. Then the next winter we just kept their hutch attached to their run, but on concrete, for the winter, so they can still come out if they want, but go in if it rains. And that's what I have now, hutches attached to runs, on concrete, but also have separate runs on the grass.

But now I'm building cages in the shed for my pigs so for the winter they won't have any access to a run, because we can't attach it. Hopefully they'll be ok with that, since their cages are quite big.

To be honest, I think your hutch is huge! :)

And I'm not sure, but maybe you could bring your pigs inside for an hour or so in the day . . . it's just if they were inside for a lot of the day, then they'd get cold when put out at night. I'm not really sure how long they can be in for, sorry.

In a shed or garage, if you have space, maybe you could have a playpen in the shed/garage? :)



Oh and your other question, I just stop putting my pigs out on the grass when the grass stops growing. So probably about October I guess. :) And on very rainy days I don't bother putting them out. And they have a proper little house in the run in case it rains while I'm out so they can stay dry and warm.
 
I want to come and burgle that hutch off you...hehehe!

Have you picked any piggies yet?
 
No I need to ring some rescue centres and see who will home one with me (as I have a 2yr old) and I guess do they visit me 1st (or do I visit their piggies 1st)? I have had a guinea pig fix by taking 2 year old to pets at home to look at them, but the plan is defo for a rescue piggie.
 
You contact the rescues first as to suitable piggies and arrange a visit. when you have found a couple you want to rehome, they will be reserved for you until you have been homechecked and a date for rehoming has been arranged.

Best of luck! You have quite a few rescues in your neck of the woods, so go round and have a look!
 
Devils advocate, but P@H Redhill have a pair of boys needing a home in their adoption center, the family couldn't keep them as the kid was allergic to woodshavings. They were a bit skittish but really gorgeous, one was almost dalmation markings! If I had any more room...

(I know its P@H but these are rescues really, please don't throw me off the forum I like it here!)
 
That's true I did see that P@H in New Malden had animals to be adopted too, but no guineas at that time. I would totally consider animals needing to be rehomed via them too!

Must make some calls this week! Will keep you posted!:))
 
Dodge was an adoptee from P@H and he is such a fantastic boy, my vet said he has made one of the best after neuter recoveries she has ever seen so must have come from good stock lol.
 
Ok am a bit worried about the hutch as I heard yesterday that guinea pigs aren't good climbers and might struggle with the ramp (see pic on p1 of this thread).

What is your experience of this?

Should I block it off or sell up and get a 1 storey hutch?

Perhaps I should block it off initially then supervise them using it for the first hour or two and see how they're doing?

Will be getting piggies in the next 2 weeks...
 
I have quite seep ramps and all 5 fly up an down them thay are cat scratching board's i just tie gripped them to a c and c cage. they do have some wool on them so don't know if that help's. Can you have your piggie's in door's?
 
The ramp is wooden and has wooden strips across it at equal intervals almost like a ladder maybe to help them grip but could possibly trip them if they zipped up/down? Maybe I should make my own ramp for them instead?

I can't keep them indoors, no space and hubby not keen. I have an outhouse (sadly no electricity) which the hutch could go in in colder weather - that's the plan I think.
 
Doeylicious said:
Devils advocate, but P@H Redhill have a pair of boys needing a home in their adoption center, the family couldn't keep them as the kid was allergic to woodshavings. They were a bit skittish but really gorgeous, one was almost dalmation markings! If I had any more room...

(I know its P@H but these are rescues really, please don't throw me off the forum I like it here!)
Click to expand...

Quite often the pigs in the p@H adoption bit are pigs that they couldn't sell from the main part. The money all still goes to p@h. I'd definately recommend visiting an independant rescue who will be able to give you lots of advise about your adopted piggies if you're new to it all :)) x
 
Your hutch is a great size. As far as the ramp goes you could could consider making a little banister around the top hole to make sure they cannot fall down. Put sandpaper or carpet on the ramp for grip. Raise the bottom of the ramp by putting it on a wood block to make the ramp less steep- the guinea pigs will hop on and off the bottom. :)

I think the outhouse is a good idea for the colder weather as it will give much more shelter than being outside. Have you had a look at this thread for ideas?
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=54309
 
PiggiePal said:
Quite often the pigs in the p@H adoption bit are pigs that they couldn't sell from the main part. The money all still goes to p@h. I'd definately recommend visiting an independant rescue who will be able to give you lots of advise about your adopted piggies if you're new to it all :)) x
Click to expand...

Dodge came from their adoption centre and I distinctly remember writing a cheque out to the charity they had at the time, which was a local wildlife charity, so the money doesn't go to them unless they are experts at cheque forgery/adjusting.
 
I think they money now goes to their adoption charity which in theory funds the upkeep of the animals currently in their care at their adoption centre.
 
great tips! thanks so much! am visiting animal lifeline rescue in sutton next week so hope to have piggies v soon!

the outdoor thread was v handy I'll be spending this week sorting weather protectiom out!
 
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