housing advice please (new owner)

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Sprogmama

Sprogmama

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Hi there, have just joined the forum after browsing over the last couple of days and wondered if you lovely folks could help me find some suitable housing.

Is it better to have a long, single-level hutch over a two-tier one? I was keen on the latter until reading about how piggies love a large area to run around in. I'm also concerned that the ramp hole would take up too much room on the upper level and would the piggies fall down it?

For a two-tier, I've been looking at this:
http://ukpetsonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=607

And for a single level, I'm looking at these:
http://ukpetsonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=272
http://www.petsathome.com/shop/dandelion-den-hutch-for-rabbits-and-guinea-pigs-by-pets-at-home-29284

Also, how important is the material? I've seen some good value ones made out of ply, but is there a reason I should plump for a "tongue and groove" design?

With two-tiers, what are the pros/cons of having a lower level with a floor versus going directly on the ground?

My budget is a maximum of £100 including delivery, but I'd prefer to stay closer to the £50-£70 mark if at all possible.

Sorry for all the questions, just want to make the right purchase. I have two young boars reserved for me who will hopefully be moving in at the end of the month.
 
I'd say go with the single unless you section a double off and get two hutches out of it like I have. If you only have 2 piggies though that won't be necessary.
The dandelion den hutch from P@H is really good quality, my friend has it for two of her boys and they love the space.
 
Hi there, welcome to the forum!
I'm assuming that as you have been looking for hutches you are considering housing them outside?
Personally I think the more space they can have on one level, the better. Then they can run round and circuit the cage without having to run up a ramp. With a big hutch/cage of 4ft you could have a smaller upper level but as long as the main area is big enough, it isn't necessary. Also with some hutches you have to be careful as often the ramps are too steep for the guinea pigs and don't come with adequate width or grip.

Keeping it to one level would take up more room but it avoids having any accidents with the ramp. You shall need to make sure that you have plenty of hidys and space in case your two boars have an argument. Some boars can be quite territorial hence why more space is needed.

I'm sure that somebody more with experience of housing boars will be able to help you out and give you some more advice as I've only ever had sows.
Good luck!
 
When it comes to guinea pig housing, it is required that at least one level of the cage meets the minimum requirements for size with the amount of guinea pigs you have.
http://www.guineapigcages.com/
And the ramp does take up alot of space in the cage which gives less room for running around so i'd vote for a single level hutch (:

I'd go with the single hutch, i like the look of the pets at home one but it's down to your choice (:
 
Thank you all for replying so quickly. I must admit I was starting to sway towards the single hutch. I'm assuming the P@H hutch is better because of the length? The price is really good for a retail store.

I was actually in P@H yesterday and looked at some hutches but didn't see that one on display. Checking the online reservation facility, it seems that branch had four of them in stock. I might ring the other nearby branch and ask if they have one setup. I do like to see things before buying if I can.

puzzlepigs, yes they will be outside in the warmer weather on our patio. We'll be setting something up for them indoors as well, but there is also room in our utility room for the hutch as long as it's no bigger than 5 feet long.
 
Hi

I would recommend getting your hutch off the internet, rather than P@H. Their hutches aren't very good quality, and are quite overpriced considering the materials used (cheap wood and thin ply)!

Something like this - you can choose the size to fit your space too (min 4ft by 2ft but try to get the biggest you can!)

http://www.happyhutch.co.uk/single-storey-rabbit-hutches/22
 
catherine said:
Hi

I would recommend getting your hutch off the internet, rather than P@H. Their hutches aren't very good quality, and are quite overpriced considering the materials used (cheap wood and thin ply)!

Something like this - you can choose the size to fit your space too (min 4ft by 2ft but try to get the biggest you can!)

http://www.happyhutch.co.uk/single-storey-rabbit-hutches/22
Click to expand...
I actually have a 5ft double hutch from P@h that is very solid!
It was also only £100 so to me that's very reasonable. I know P@h aren't the best of places but not everything they do is wrong.

Anyway I suggest you ask your p@h to show you a model and decide for yourself but the dandelion den in my local store seems very sturdy and reasonably priced if you ask me.

I will just add that my hutch is indoors so I haven't considered damp, rain ect which obviously you will have to if they're outside.
 
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I forgot to add that the down side of a wooden hutch is that it can get damp easily and attract mites. I have never had a hutch - I have dogs and chickens plus my neighbour has cats so therefore I decided I'd rather house them inside so I don't have any experience of this. It probably depends on the hutch you buy, the bedding you use etc. but it is just something to be aware of. I'm sure many other forum members have got hutches that are perfectly fine and suitable, this is only something I've heard from a few friends. :)
I'm sure if this problem did occur, you could line the hutch with plastic or something else on the inside and treat the piggies although I hope this is very unlikely. I don't say this to worry you, just to make you aware and I hope that another forum member can give their opinion on hutches :)

Also if you do look in shops for hutches it might be an idea to check the mesh/wire to make sure it is strong and durable. The last thing you want is any unwanted visitors trying to get in. Some hutches have wooden shutters to close at night, which I think is a good idea but I'm sure that you could easily make these if you wanted to.

Again I agree with what other members have said about the ramps etc.
Don't hesitate to ask if you have any other queries :)
 
The first two are red cedar. I don't know if it will harm your piggies since it is treated. The third has some bad reviews about the wood not being good quality. I suggest a c&c cage. Here is a good website: http://www.guineapigcages.com C&c cages are for indoor. You could build a new hutch for a cheap price.
 
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MOC said:
I actually have a 5ft double hutch from P@h that is very solid!
It was also only £100 so to me that's very reasonable. I know P@h aren't the best of places but not everything they do is wrong.

Anyway I suggest you ask your p@h to show you a model and decide for yourself but the dandelion den in my local store seems very sturdy and reasonably priced if you ask me.

I will just add that my hutch is indoors so I haven't considered damp, rain ect which obviously you will have to if they're outside.
Click to expand...

I'm just speaking from personal experience. Before I knew better I got 2 hutches from P@H which were just awful. I haven't had the dandelion den, no, but tbh I've yet to find a P@H hutch that equals the quality of Happy Hutch, the wood and mesh they use is really thick and secure and will last a long time.
 
Wow, I've certainly found lots of food for thought here! :D

Thank you for all your suggestions, it seems I have quite a bit more researching to do. I'm going to see if P@H have the dandelion on display somewhere. It seems this particular hutch is better quality than usual P@H hutches, but would really like to see it in the flesh before making a decision. I did see a different one in-store yesterday and I wasn't very impressed with the quality.

gpmomma, I will look into the C&C cages for an indoor setup, thank you. :)

catherine, I like the look of the happyhutch one and the 5ft version seems pretty good value too!

Thanks MOC and puzzlepigs, I am concerned about dampness and mites too. We keep chickens and house them in a plastic Eglu Cube for that very reason. I was surprised to find there doesn't seem to be much in the way of similar housing for rabbits/pigs.
 
Sprogmama said:
Wow, I've certainly found lots of food for thought here! :D

Thank you for all your suggestions, it seems I have quite a bit more researching to do. I'm going to see if P@H have the dandelion on display somewhere. It seems this particular hutch is better quality than usual P@H hutches, but would really like to see it in the flesh before making a decision. I did see a different one in-store yesterday and I wasn't very impressed with the quality.

gpmomma, I will look into the C&C cages for an indoor setup, thank you. :)

catherine, I like the look of the happyhutch one and the 5ft version seems pretty good value too!

Thanks MOC and puzzlepigs, I am concerned about dampness and mites too. We keep chickens and house them in a plastic Eglu Cube for that very reason. I was surprised to find there doesn't seem to be much in the way of similar housing for rabbits/pigs.
Click to expand...

My two chickens are kept in an eglu as well. Omlet do have their own range of guinea pig hutche/houses although I don't think that there really is enough space in there for the night when they can't go outside in a run. They are also pretty pricey compared to wooden hutches, and although personally I prefer the material as it keeps them warm at winter and cool in the summer it would be quite a lot of money to spend!
 
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I'm just having a look for you at hutches and I shall post a few links on here.
Some are more than your budget, but I'm trying to find the cheapest and the most well made sturdiest hutches for a reasonable price.

http://www.gardenwoodcraft.co.uk/index

^ Above look as if it is great quality from what I can see, though the price is much higher.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Standard-PLY-hutch-5FT-/180897139429?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Small_Animals&hash=item2a1e4f4ae5

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-ft-x-2-ft-apex-rabbit-hutch-/160803988072?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Small_Animals&hash=item2570aa2268

It really depends on your top, top budget and how far you'd be willing to travel. Some hutches seem much more expensive than cages so another option if you could would be to house them indoors in a large cage and either make or buy an enclosed run for the summer time.

I've also found some more but I won't post them on here (I think I'm limited to the amount of links I post) unless you'd like them :)
 
Thank you Puzzlepigs, will give those a look right now!

I did consider an Eglu for the piggies, but I honestly don't think they're ideal for that purpose either and they certainly aren't cheap lol.
 
Catherine, do you have a photo of your happy hutch online? Would love to see a photo of one in use. Also, what size do you have?
 
C&C cage pictures

I've only got one photo of my C&C cage -

IMG_1392.jpg
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I've found this picture on google too (it isn't my cage) which is also a C&C cage -

S7300210.JPG
 
gpmomma, taking the side off and extending is a very good idea, would never have thought of that!

Love your setup Puzzlepigs, I take it they don't try to climb out? Where in the house do they live?
 
Sprogmama said:
gpmomma, taking the side off and extending is a very good idea, would never have thought of that!

Love your setup Puzzlepigs, I take it they don't try to climb out? Where in the house do they live?
Click to expand...

Yes, luckily they don't try to climb out! I have got another grid over the top level to prevent them from climbing out as I wouldn't want them to fall. The main cage is big enough for the four of them (I recently adopted another two... :) ) though the only reason there is a top level is because Puzzle (the tri colour pig) is very dominant so it gives her some space to herself as she is the only one who goes up there.

Since the photo I have made a few adjustments and the ramp is no longer so steep. The ramp shown in the photo was just temporary whilst the new one was on order. Unfortunately the order didn't go through properly so I'm back to using it although this time I'm making a custom ramp for them. I'll try and take a better photo today of the whole cage. :)

There are various hidys around the cage and tubes but their favourite place to take a nap is underneath the top level.
 
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Lovely, I need to think about where/how to house them indoors so this has given me some good ideas. I'm getting rather excited about setting everything up now lol! :D
 
I have a dandelion den at my parents house that my girls only stay in for two nights max when we go and visit but the hutch is good quality and has fox proof wire in the front (not mesh).

Their permanent hutch here is a 6ft one that I got from eBay. The wood and fox proof wire is the same as the dandelion den.

I personally think that pets at home do over charge but I think their hutches are getting better compared to how they used to be.

Just make sure that you don't buy a ply wood hutch as the wood is poor quality and flimsy. Cedar is better which is what most hutches are made from.

At the end of the day, it depends on your individual circumstances as buying online is great providing that you are available to sign for and receive the product. St least buying from a shop, you can take it away there and then
 
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Thanks Claire. Having trouble deciding between the Dandelion Den or the 5ft one from Happy Hutch. I really like the clear quality of the latter, but I could pick up the former straight from the store.

We live about 10 miles from P@H and I don't fancy dragging my toddler around the shops all afternoon. I'm an impulse buyer, so I want to make sure I don't just buy it because it's convenient lol.
 
hi i know you are probably going to buy a single level hutch but i just wanted to say that i have the double tier hutch that you are looking at and i find it really good quality. the ramp is not too steep and i have never had any problems with it. although i do cover it with fleece for extra grip. the pigs love doing zoomies up and down the ramp as well, they have never fallen down and they figured out how to use it straight away. also you can buy a cover to go over it for winter if they are outdoors and i havent had a problem with damp or mites and the rain never gets in. only **** is that the pigs love to chew it rolleyes
 
Thanks for your input piggypoos. I think I will be going for a single level now, but nice to know you're having a positive experience with your piggies in a two-tier.

I do like the quality of the Bunny Business ones and it's a shame they don't do their single hutches bigger than 4ft.
 
Sprogmama said:
Catherine, do you have a photo of your happy hutch online? Would love to see a photo of one in use. Also, what size do you have?
Click to expand...

I don't have one myself, but my friend has one for her bunnies - the 6ft one with the 3ft run infront, and I've had a bit of a play and it is brill :D

I have a bespoke hutch (bigger than HH make) and a wendyhouse for my furries!
 
I had the p@h dandelion den and thought it was a very good hutch. I linked it my my run with a runaround tunnel

piggies027.jpg


I then bought a second one and joined them together with the run (took some of the run off and jsut used the sides of it)

piggies098.jpg


rabbits09aug11012.jpg


(note, the bun doesn't live with the pigs, he just hopped in whilst cleaning it out, piggies were on the lawn at the time)
 
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