Help! Outside Shed Housing

[lovelly22]

Hi there it's me again! So it's been a while since I last posted (see my last post for the full story) - the boys have been separate for a few months now and they are really happy; no signs of depression at all! I have let them see each other from time to time so they dont get lonely but there's still rumble strutting going on! Such dramaSo I'm still planning to pair them off with females.
So I'm currently ready for their new house. I want them to live in a shed/summerhouse.I dont want to spend too much money but my plan was to have the two pairs each in their own 2x5 C&C cage with a loft because they're so easy to access and set up (ive got some that i use for playtime), all in one shed. Then i can put my current GuineaDad liners inside to line it with. Obviously id have to have access for me to walk around in the shed. Roughly a 2x5 C&C cage is 170cm long so id need at least that length hutch - ive been looking at a summerhouse from BillyOH thats 10x8ft which would give me ample space inside but now I'm wondering whether ive got enough space in my garden to fit it! Ideally id buy a smaller shed and have them free-roaming inside (not in cages) but i cant do this because theyve got to be separate!
Basically my question is - anyone got any ideas about how to house them outside? Are my ideas good? But where can i find a smaller shed and how can i house the pigs separately inside? Would i have them freeroaming inside and split it using C&C bars? But then what would i use to line the floor? I do want to keep my GuineaDad liners and i dont mind buying more but keep in mind id have to double up - one for each pair and then another spare for washing as they take time to dry.
Hope you lovely people on here can help me with all your great ideas!Feel free to ask questions if this didnt make sense

 

[Piggies&buns]

My pair of boys live in a 5ft hutch in my shed which is 8ft x 6ft. The hutch sits on the 6ft side of the shed. They are only locked in the hutch at night (for safety and warmth) and I prop open the hutch doors during the day and they free roam the shed floor. My shed floor is simply lined with plastic sheeting. Lino works well too though. I then have a layer of newspaper and then fleece or hay down on top of the newspaper. I have c&c grids around the shed so they can’t chew the wood of the shed, and I have got a thin strip down the other 6ft side where I store their things.

I would (and this is what I am planning myself if hubby lets me have another pair of piggies when I get my new shed in a couple of months time) put a hutch along each short side and then divide up the middle of the shed with c&c grids, so you can open hutch doors and they can come out having half the shed floor each.

If you are going to have them in c&c cages in the shed, then that’s fine but you need to be sure you can keep them warm enough and that they will be safe.

 

[Darcey15]

Hi there!

I completely get the confusion as there are sooo many options and combinations and even when you are all set, if you're anything like me you'll have better ideas and change the set up! I got a 6x4 shed with a connector pipe to an outdoor run.

I started by insulating the shed to keep the warm in (walls, floor & door). I covered the floor with lino. I then played around with C&C conbinations and have added to it as i have learned more so now they have most of the floor, a ramp and an upper level (using correx also which can be cut to size), leaving me a small space for a stool & box of their stuff (hay/pellets etc). I plan to build a shelf in summer so they can have the entire space but I do have 6 pigs. They have plenty of room now though, especially with access outside during the day.

C&C Bends too to make a ramp if you want one and I use cable ties to attach correx first then a fleece/t towel onto the correx..otherwise they'll slide down & never get back up

Have a look on pinterest too for ideas...and i've attached a few pics of mine to give you an idea of the shed (the wire going through the window is for a heater until i get an outside socket)..i use snugglesafes at night too but the main issue is condensation- you need a window which opens & enough ventilation. My cobbled together heater was my solution along with dehumidifier boxes which work for me.

You'll figure it out but I sat there for hours trying to work out what to do!

 

[lovelly22]

My pair of boys live in a 5ft hutch in my shed which is 8ft x 6ft. The hutch sits on the 6ft side of the shed. They are only locked in the hutch at night (for safety and warmth) and I prop open the hutch doors during the day and they free roam the shed floor. My shed floor is simply lined with plastic sheeting. Lino works well too though. I then have a layer of newspaper and then fleece or hay down on top of the newspaper. I have c&c grids around the shed so they can’t chew the wood of the shed, and I have got a thin strip down the other 6ft side where I store their things.

I would (and this is what I am planning myself if hubby lets me have another pair of piggies when I get my new shed in a couple of months time) put a hutch along each short side and then divide up the middle of the shed with c&c grids, so you can open hutch doors and they can come out having half the shed floor each.

If you are going to have them in c&c cages in the shed, then that’s fine but you need to be sure you can keep them warm enough and that they will be safe.

Thanks so much for replying! I like that set up with the hutch - it gives them room to run and then warmth at night! Definitely given me something to think about!

 

[lovelly22]

Hi there!

I completely get the confusion as there are sooo many options and combinations and even when you are all set, if you're anything like me you'll have better ideas and change the set up! I got a 6x4 shed with a connector pipe to an outdoor run.

I started by insulating the shed to keep the warm in (walls, floor & door). I covered the floor with lino. I then played around with C&C conbinations and have added to it as i have learned more so now they have most of the floor, a ramp and an upper level (using correx also which can be cut to size), leaving me a small space for a stool & box of their stuff (hay/pellets etc). I plan to build a shelf in summer so they can have the entire space but I do have 6 pigs. They have plenty of room now though, especially with access outside during the day.

C&C Bends too to make a ramp if you want one and I use cable ties to attach correx first then a fleece/t towel onto the correx..otherwise they'll slide down & never get back up

Have a look on pinterest too for ideas...and i've attached a few pics of mine to give you an idea of the shed (the wire going through the window is for a heater until i get an outside socket)..i use snugglesafes at night too but the main issue is condensation- you need a window which opens & enough ventilation. My cobbled together heater was my solution along with dehumidifier boxes which work for me.

You'll figure it out but I sat there for hours trying to work out what to do!View attachment 132593View attachment 132594View attachment 132595

Thank you! This is amazing this is kinda the style i was thinking but a much bigger shed because id have to have two of those cages inside! I love the run to outside idea, its so good! Your setup would be perfect if i had 4 pigs that could live together But I'm still thinking that it would be a good idea. Thanks again

 

[Darcey15]

You're welcome! I had 2 boys originally like you, then when I lost one I had the remaining piggie neutered & adopted 5 ladies . My husband was perfectly fine about it until he realised building the shed was his job good luck with it....i guess I'll always have to consider how to tackle fall outs & space but if that ever happens I'll be copying yours keep us posted on your design! X

 

[lovelly22]

You're welcome! I had 2 boys originally like you, then when I lost one I had the remaining piggie neutered & adopted 5 ladies . My husband was perfectly fine about it until he realised building the shed was his job good luck with it....i guess I'll always have to consider how to tackle fall outs & space but if that ever happens I'll be copying yours keep us posted on your design! X

Aw wow thats amazingHaha ill post once ive finally decidedx