Hutch recommendations

[Xtineenie]

Hi all, I wonder if anyone can tell me what their preference is on Chartwell versus FeelGoodUK hutches? We will be new owners next weekend of piggies, and I want to make sure we get it right. I see that the FeelGood versions have trays that you can pull out to clean, but not sure if that is seen as a benefit or not? I'm also interested to hear more about how much 'inside' space the piggies need, as my assumption was that they would prefer (once introduced slowly) to have more space on the grass? When we say inside space, do we mean bedrooms (ie dark, no mesh windows) or do we just mean rooms (ie bedrooms and rooms with mesh/natural light). Many thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Betsy]

I have a 6' Chartwell 2 tier hutch with the ramp taken out as I have 5 piggies. Betsy and Dennis live at the top with Christian, Velvet and Meg at the bottom. It is a very good and well made hutch and is very easy to clean.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I don't have experience of the feelgood hutches but I do have the chartwell 6ft. I like that chartwell is off the ground which as piggies being directly on the ground is too cold most of the year round. Also you can get an insulating layer and a weatherproof cover to help protect them against the elements.

Whilst grass time is good it really depends on the outdoors temperature and weather conditions as to whether they can make use of this so ensuring they have adequate indoor space is really important. Here is our guide to minimum cage size, I would recommend to go for the biggest size you can afford and have space for as the piggies will be grateful for additional running space Cage Size Guide

 

[Xtineenie]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I don't have experience of the feelgood hutches but I do have the chartwell 6ft. I like that chartwell is off the ground which as piggies being directly on the ground is too cold most of the year round. Also you can get an insulating layer and a weatherproof cover to help protect them against the elements.

Whilst grass time is good it really depends on the outdoors temperature and weather conditions as to whether they can make use of this so ensuring they have adequate indoor space is really important. Here is our guide to minimum cage size, I would recommend to go for the biggest size you can afford and have space for as the piggies will be grateful for additional running space Cage Size Guide

Thank you so much. Really appreciate the advice.

 

[eismith]

i am thinking of a feelgood hutch any other suggestions.

 

[Piggylove82]

I have a 6ft double storey Ryedale hutch from ryedalepethomes.co.uk. All three sides are 20mm thick log lap. You won't find that on any flat pack hutches and no thin plywood rear wall unlike the ones you put together yourself! It needs no cover to keep it warm as it is made with such thick wood. Built to last and do the job (of keeping my pigs safe and warm) properly.

It has 6 inch feet so is well off the ground which makes it easy to clean around the bottom of the hutch too and I opted for plastic floors which are so much easier to clean and will last way longer than wooden floors. It's hand-built so no need to spend hours sorting through which bit goes where. The guy delivers it as a complete product and he is really flexible with what he can do to make the hutch just how you want it. Mine has ramp sides and a bannister at the top so they don't fall down the hole and the ramp is more gentle sloping as some shop bought ones can have steep ramps for a guinea pig's short legs. Here's mine...