How high should the ceiling be?

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DavidEscapes

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Hi

I am building a 2 level hutch (4ft x 2ft on each floor). what is the right height for the ceiling on each level. I would like to keep it is a low as possible to help keep the heat at ground level, and reduce the height of the ramp to a minimum, so I don't want to make the ceiling higher than is required.

Thanks

David
 
Given that a full grown piggie will average 8 - 10 inches long (according to wiki) would 18 inches be ok. As this would allow the piggie to stretch fully up.

Someone said elsewhere that the ceiling would need to be 24 inches to allow full stretching, but this seems somewhat excessive to me. Though maybe I am way off!
 
You want to have some headroom as guinea pigs like to popcorn when they are happy, i.e. run and jump like they were popping! However, you could consider to create a mezzanine floor in part of the cage. The weather won't always be so good that they want to come out everyday, so you need to take that into account.
 
Wiebke said:
You want to have some headroom as guinea pigs like to popcorn when they are happy, i.e. run and jump like they were popping! However, you could consider to create a mezzanine floor in part of the cage. The weather won't always be so good that they want to come out everyday, so you need to take that into account.
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Any thoughts on this? Is 18 inches enough for the above? More?

Please bear in mind here that I am not trying to keep the ceiling as low as possible to save on wood! I am trying to do so to ensure that the hutch is kept nice and warm, lower ceilings mean less heat loss above :)

I am building a 2 storey hutch. So if 24' is really needed then perhaps a 24' downstairs and an 18' upstairs. That way the lower level will be cooler too, so they could use that more if upstairs was too warm.

David
 
My first hutches were built with a height of 21", the newer ones are 24". The 24" height hutches are far easier to clean (for me) than the others but when i was first researching the correct measurements etc (didn't have a comp) i found in one of Peter Gurney's books that height should be 18" as piggies do not like lots of room above their heads. However, opinions on keeping pigs has changed since he wrote some of his books & this information could now be out-dated. Regarding the ramp - as long as it has sides on it & there is enough "grip" for their feet there shouldn't be a problem. I have had ramps with carpet on & others with "ladders" of wood; both were used equally as well by different pigs :)
 
Well i just thought i would add a note and not saying the 14" is high enough but that is how high one c&c panel is and many people have lids on these? but i would go for a big as possible within reason

14" headroom is difficult to clean out!
 
it was 18 inch he was asking about:)):(|) but i would still say 22 inch or 24 inch would be better will allow for igloos and other nice housey things with out it being to cramped,as for warm/colder hutches igloos wooden hidey houses and cosiey cup igloo type houses will all bge warm enought for them also get some snuggle pads to put in the beds these stay warm for 10 hours which are warmed up in the microwave for 6 mins on a microwave of 700 watt i think they are all washable,also blankets are a good source of warmth for them here are a few things you could add the your hutch
margehouse.jpg
 
was not suggesting 14" is okay! my girls don;t have lids and think if i had the room i would just have a 4 x4 c&c but they take up enough room in the lounge already as cleaning under the upper layer in the back corners is a pain in the behind! (bump my head all the time!) I would suggest 20" minimum for a wooden hutch as needs to be airy and it will be solid on all but one face
 
lovelygirl said:
was not suggesting 14" is okay! my girls don;t have lids and think if i had the room i would just have a 4 x4 c&c but they take up enough room in the lounge already as cleaning under the upper layer in the back corners is a pain in the behind! (bump my head all the time!) I would suggest 20" minimum for a wooden hutch as needs to be airy and it will be solid on all but one face
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malletheadmallethead sorry:(|)
 
I can't say how high, but I wouldn't make it any lower than 12" else you won't be able to get the guinea-pig out.
 
I have decided on a ground floor height of 24 inches. This will be largely open space all around, and an upper floor height of 18 inches. This will be sleeping space and will be stuffed full of hay :)

Sound good?
 
could you make the floors detatchable so you can change the floors around sure as eggs they will use the lower for sleeping

venice



DavidEscapes said:
I have decided on a ground floor height of 24 inches. This will be largely open space all around, and an upper floor height of 18 inches. This will be sleeping space and will be stuffed full of hay :)

Sound good?
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venice said:
could you make the floors detatchable so you can change the floors around sure as eggs they will use the lower for sleeping

venice
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Really? Problems problems!

I thought upstairs would be better since it will be warmer in winter. Higher up, lower ceiling etc.

Do you think this will be the case even if there is no bedding materials downstairs?

David
 
we dont have a warmth problem here
but you know creatures they have their own mind and reason for doing the oppostie to what we expect LOL


I am still learning about guins

but sure as eggs if you expect them to do one thing they will do the opposite


my question was a question not a suggestion I need to learn more

venice
 
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