Hutch Design and Building Advice

[Daniel]

Can anyone give some advice on this?

Like, do Guinea Pigs chew timber?
Do they like tunnels, different levels of floor?

Do they require a run under hutch or is it best to have a separate run?
If separate run what sizes?

And so on, you can put down what you would like a hutch to contain, what would make it easier for you to clean or work with.

 

[JoBo]

Hi
Great that you are researching, guinea pigs fdo love hideaway places, they can certainly live on two levels and soon learn to use a ramp, its best to put an edge on the ramp so they dont fall off. A run with the hutch is ok but my expereince shows that if a run is in a permanant place then the pigs soon eat all the grass and it becomes a churned up mess, so its best to have a sparate run that can be moved around the garden so the pigs get fresh grass.

An easy accessible hutch and easy to clean out is a must. If you can put some kind of plastic bottom rather than wood bottom it is easier to clean and dries quicker. Pigs do chew on the wood so good quality wood is the best idea.

Also chicken proof wiring is really important for both the hutch and the run.

If the pig is living outside all year it is best to make the hutch as sheltered as possible. You can buy great insulating covers for hutches so it might be an idea to build your hutch in a size that a cover would fit.

Hope this is all helpful to you xx

 

[AudioHeart]

Hello,

I own a 4ft by 2ft double tier second hand hutch for £50 its original price was £160 and i'd of happily paid £160 for it. Its made from thick good quaility wood and is very well built, its not bowed or broke and is beautifully made.

The boys like the two levels, and i like the fact that whoever has made it/designed it took in consideration that this is a guinea pig hutch and made the ramp not too steep for the piggies to get up and down plus their isnt a huge drop from the top floor to the bottom.

I have customised my hutch though with self adheisive floor tiles to make cleaning easier, wood takes around an hour in the winter to dry and 20-45 mins in the summer so it is a pain when your in a rush and i have found that with this plastic tiles on top of the wood protects the hutch, makes it last longer and makes cleaning only 10mins!

I'd love to see a double hutch on legs with pull out draws underneath, just so i could put food and any hay bags in (the small to medium sized ones) underneath and any cleaning stuff!

I really like my OH's sisters hutch which has on the top level of the hutch a hidey built into the hutch and doubles up as an extra floor space, but we did have to make a small ramp for the pigs to get up and down.

The run...well i like the hutch on zooplus which has the option of attaching a run too it/ the run can become free standing (ie use on its own) as it has a small door on the side of the run which can be used as an entrance to and from the hutch to the run.

Size of run....I own this one: http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/runs_fencing/pens_with_timber_frame/95234

which can be attached to the hutch they sell, but i find the hutch is a wee small for my liking. I love the quality of the run and the love hearts on the side.

Just my thoughts

 

[Daniel]

Hi
Great that you are researching, guinea pigs fdo love hideaway places, they can certainly live on two levels and soon learn to use a ramp, its best to put an edge on the ramp so they dont fall off. A run with the hutch is ok but my expereince shows that if a run is in a permanant place then the pigs soon eat all the grass and it becomes a churned up mess, so its best to have a sparate run that can be moved around the garden so the pigs get fresh grass.

So ideally the hutch should stand on legs to protect the floor?
I was thinking of using plywood for the floor of both levels so therefore the hutch does not touch the grass etc.

An easy accessible hutch and easy to clean out is a must. If you can put some kind of plastic bottom rather than wood bottom it is easier to clean and dries quicker. Pigs do chew on the wood so good quality wood is the best idea.

I'll be using joinery first grade timber for the hutch and plywood for the floors.

Should I use a plastic layer over the plywood?

Also chicken proof wiring is really important for both the hutch and the run.

I'll be using welded wire mess 13mm by 13mm.

If the pig is living outside all year it is best to make the hutch as sheltered as possible. You can buy great insulating covers for hutches so it might be an idea to build your hutch in a size that a cover would fit.

I'll have to look at that as with rabbit hutches they do not sell covers to fit the hutches size but i'll look in to it thanks.

Hello,

The boys like the two levels, and i like the fact that whoever has made it/designed it took in consideration that this is a guinea pig hutch and made the ramp not too steep for the piggies to get up and down plus their isnt a huge drop from the top floor to the bottom.

How big should the gaps be between levels?

I'd love to see a double hutch on legs with pull out draws underneath, just so i could put food and any hay bags in (the small to medium sized ones) underneath and any cleaning stuff!

I was thinking of doing this type of thing.

I really like my OH's sisters hutch which has on the top level of the hutch a hidey built into the hutch and doubles up as an extra floor space, but we did have to make a small ramp for the pigs to get up and down.

Do you mean the hutch was one level with two floors in?

Thanks for your help.

 

[AudioHeart]

Errmmm I'm not sure on gaps between levels...i'll go and measure my hutch in a bit (ive just sat down with a cuppa so will get back to you on that! )


And no the hutch is double tiered, but has a hidey/ third floor inbuilt into the second floor of the hutch...its not a large floor space but you can fit a hidey on top and have room for the piggie to move.

 

[Daniel]

I take it there is not much people would like in terms of a hutch for a guinea pig. Thanks for the help so far and i'll just have to get on with it.

 

[Doeylicious]

I take it there is not much people would like in terms of a hutch for a guinea pig. Thanks for the help so far and i'll just have to get on with it.

Well I think Jo answered your questions pretty well tbh

Don't use pine as they WILL chew and pine can be bad for them AFAIK

If making a ramp, make sure it is textured so it's easier for them to climb - I used carpet on mine. And give it a wall so they feel happier and can't fall off

As for the floor, I suggest covering it with lino or plastic floor tiles as it makes the wood last longer and is much easier to clean out.

 

[Daniel]

Well I think Jo answered your questions pretty well tbh

Don't use pine as they WILL chew and pine can be bad for them AFAIK

If making a ramp, make sure it is textured so it's easier for them to climb - I used carpet on mine. And give it a wall so they feel happier and can't fall off

As for the floor, I suggest covering it with lino or plastic floor tiles as it makes the wood last longer and is much easier to clean out.

If not to use Pine, then what timber is safe?

 

[Daniel]

You asked to see pictures once i had something done well i do now so i'll show you three photos, one with a shutter on, one without and a close up of the roof. This hutch is just less than 9ft long but it will last years and years. You may think it's over the top but this is what i call a hutch.