Hello Gp Forum - Advice Wanted Re Hutch/run/cage

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pigsinthecity

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Hi,

What a brilliant and active forum you have!

I am getting two pigs in the next couple of weeks and wanted some advice about the best hutch/run/indoors cage for them.

We have a little South East London garden with grass and also a shed though there's no natural light in the shed as there isn't a window. We don't have a huge amount of room but definitely enough for a decent little run. We are not sure where is best to keep them at the moment.

We also need somewhere for them to play indoors as we have a young daughter who is used to pets but not pigs and we want somewhere safe for her to play with them indoors.

Any advice gratefully received! There is such a variety of products on the internet and we don't have much idea as to what is the best out there.

Thank you!

Sam
 
Welcome to the forum!

This time of year I personally suggest having them indoors, especially if they're babies. Below freezing has been bad enough for me let alone little piggies! However, I know people do still house them outdoors but many steps must be taken to ensure that they aren't freezing, eg safe heat pads, loads of hay, protection from wind etc :)

Piggies shouldn't be on the grass in winter, eating the damp and cold grass can result in bloat, and being on it (being so low to the ground) can cause pneumonia. I wouldn't want to put my bare feet on the grass XD

Housing piggies indoors (minimum I believe is 4 ft by 2ft for 2 females I believe and 5 ft by 2ft for 2 males) and having a run for floor time will also give yourself and your daughter a lot of joy. I personally think you bond with them quicker too, as they see you all the time and get used to your smell/sound. You can also observe their quirky behaviours better, like zoomies, popcorning and if you're very lucky, chirping.

With an indoor run it would be good for your daughter to sit inside it and handle them low to the ground, so if they do get nervous and try and make a run from it they won't have a big fall. Plus they're incredibly inquisitive, they will eventually want to investigate her too! I have a pop up hexagonal material run, also one of the metal grid ones (like puppies sometimes have) and a wooden run, imo as long as they're a decent size, sturdy and are monitored for chew damage they're all pretty good. The material one is probably the easiest for being put up and taken down.

There are also some great pinned posts about housing in that section, I'm not sure how to attach links on here but they're certainly worth a read!

Sorry for the long reply, hope at least some of it helps XD
 
Welcome to the forum, can't add to the advice above, but wanted to say hello
 
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