Help, C&C or Hutch?

[ChelleJM]

Hi there,

I have 5 guinea pigs which are all currently housed indoors.
To start with we had 2 sows but one of them was pregnant when we got her (obv didnt know at the time rolleyes)
So we then had 5, the 2 original sows + 2 baby boars and a baby sow!
We have housed the sow in with mum and 'auntie' lol, the 2 boars are in together but to be honest I think all their houses are too small.

The 2 original sows were in a nero 4 which was fine at the time but now there an extra piggy they need more space, the boys are sharing a slightly smaller indoor cage.
I dont have room inside for 1 x nero 4 for the 2 boys and a bigger than nero 4for the 3 girls

So I have 2 options, put them in the garden in hutches or in the garage in a C&C setup?

I like the idea of C&C as I can make them nice and big but not sure it's suitable in a garage (not used for cars by the way - just have tumble dryer, fridge/freezer etc in)

what to do?

Chelle x

 

[Becky92]

Although C&C isnt really suitable in a garage but it can work , my friend who keeps 30+ piggies has just converted her insulated garage with sort of a C&C type setup, its a worktop all the way along one side of her garage with a wire front and wood to divide each cage. It works really well with it being open topped. She uses wooden houses, makes sure theres lots of hay and has a heater if its a frosty night.

There alot easier to clean and the piggies interact alot more x

 

[Wiebke]

I would make sure that rats can't come into your garage at any time before using open C&C cages. Putting in a wooden hut for snuggling up at night should do the trick, if you can fill it with hay or a snuggle safe for extra insulation on cold nights (apart from a heater for freezing nights). Make sure that the garage doeasn't get too hot during a heat wave.

The minimum space for 3 guinea pigs is 2x5 ft (C&C= 4x2 grid setup); your two boys would profit from the same size - lots of space helps keeping the possibiliy of fights and fallouts lower. The more space your piggies have, the happier they will be.

 

[skrikopanik]

I think you would miss them if they were in the garden... It's a big change from having them indoors. English weather doesn't always permit lengthy talks and cuddles outside

A C&C is flexible and give you more options if, say, your boys *knocks on wood* would fall out. It's cheaper too than well built hutches. Some people on here have lids on their C&C. Maybe a good safety precaution? Check out the cage gallery for ideas!

 

[ChelleJM]

I would make sure that rats can't come into your garage at any time before using open C&C cages. Putting in a wooden hut for snuggling up at night should do the trick, if you can fill it with hay or a snuggle safe for extra insulation on cold nights (apart from a heater for freezing nights). Make sure that the garage doeasn't get too hot during a heat wave.

The minimum space for 3 guinea pigs is 2x5 ft (C&C= 4x2 grid setup); your two boys would profit from the same size - lots of space helps keeping the possibiliy of fights and fallouts lower. The more space your piggies have, the happier they will be.

Oh gosh, is it quite likely the guineas would attract rats then :...
*shivers*
ooooh dunno what to do now