Hutch Size ok for 2?

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Willowzee

I've been looking (after purchasing, isn't that ALWAYS the way) at hutches.

The hutch we have at the min is the Dandellion Den from P@H which measures in at 4.9ft x 2ft x 2ft. I have also purchased a 6ft x 3ft x 3ft run that we plan to put over and around the hutch so they have free reign when we can be around to supervise (I only work 18.5hrs a week).

Is this big enough for them? Someone told me that's too small for 2 males and now i'm freaking out! They are only 8 weeks old atm and i'm not adverse to sizing up if they need to in the future, just for now, is that ok?

Thanks bunches, guys, gals and pigs <3
 
Also..

I'm using wood shavings atm, but I am interested in the idea of fleece. The bottom of the hutch is already covered in a plastic/linolieum type dealio, so wipeable, but I use paper/shavings and hay.

Would fleece work with an outside hutch? Thanks!
 
Oh and also, I tried mine with fleece outside and it didn't work! mallethead Their poo when on it absolutely stank! And their wee made big white stains :)) My Mum didn't want to have to wash that every few days! :red My two are 5 and have been living on wood shavings all their life and are fine, no health issues! :)
 
Awesome! Thanks so much for your reply.

As they are outside, we wanted them to get as much space as possible, obviously they will be "put to bed" at night so to speak and covered up well. Our rabbits are in a palace of their own with a 6ft run and huge hutch! But they are 4 sisters and need the space to hop around :)

Now just to find a way of keeping them indoors during the colder weather, we don't have that much space in here, considering a C&C cage but need to size up my daughters bedroom, or space in the living room and at the minute, we don't have that much! :(
 
Willowzee said:
Awesome! Thanks so much for your reply.

As they are outside, we wanted them to get as much space as possible, obviously they will be "put to bed" at night so to speak and covered up well. Our rabbits are in a palace of their own with a 6ft run and huge hutch! But they are 4 sisters and need the space to hop around

Now just to find a way of keeping them indoors during the colder weather, we don't have that much space in here, considering a C&C cage but need to size up my daughters bedroom, or space in the living room and at the minute, we don't have that much!
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Well to be honest, my two live outside in the winter and have been fine. :) That's because they are in a shed though and I stuff their hutch with hay! ;) When I check on them they are very warm. :) Although, if it's a really really cold night, I bring them inside for the night and they sleep in a huge box! Works well and we don't have to spend alot of money. ;) However, I am considering getting an indoor cage for winter as they are quite old girlies now. I don't think it'll need to be as big as their hutch cos they won't be in their for long anyway. :)

I also have rabbits, 3! Hopefully soon to be 4! If everything goes to plan we will get our garage knocked down and then the shed can go in it's place and we can attach my bunnies 7ft run! Then the pair can live in there and go out into their run via a cat flap whenever they want to! Then my other little bunny will get his own play house and I will get a run to attach to it. :) He will then be able to get a wife! :<> At the moment they live in big hutches and they go out in their runs in the daytime. :)
 
Aww bless!

Our old two lived outside their entire lives and were fine, but like you said stuffed with hay and we covered them with carpet during the winter months etc. Good idea for the box though!

I'd love them to be indoors permanently but at least on our patio/garden they get a LOT of attention, in my daughters room they wouldn't get as much as they do there, and my living room just isn't big enough.

We actually have 5 rabbits, we started with 2, ended up with 12 :P.. so much for both females! We managed to rehome most of them with friends and a couple died as babies :(, then the daddy has to be put to sleep.. so now we have mummy and four of the baby girls.. although not so much babies anymore, all about 5 now!

The mum won't entertain the girls at ALL, or another guy, we tried with a couple of rabbits my friend wanted rehoming, she just doesn't like anyone and its horrid to see her alone, but she's right next to her babies, so at least has that comfort.

Oh lord, if I could i'd have soooo many more in my garden or convert the garage, sadly my OH doesn't share my enthusiasm :P
 
The hutch and the run sound perfect for two guinea pigs, they will really benefit from the space and freedom to be able to move around.

I have never tried fleece and wouldn't want to. I use woodshavings for my outside guinea pigs - only Oliver, who has no hair, stays inside, and he is kept on a carpet-like material called Vetbed. I have no problems with my shavings, and use tons of hay anyway.

If you need to keep the pigs outside in winter, invest in hot water bottles/heat pads, bottle snugs and hutch covers, carpet and bubble wrap. It'll all come in handy!
 
Great advice from everyone about keeping outdoor piggies warm in winter. :) Mine are outdoors all year too.

That sounds like a great hutch and run too :)

And I've started using fleece outdoors too. It's working fine. I just put a thick layer of newspaper under but you can use towels underneath too. Then I just pick it up and shake off the poo everyday (morning and evening, or at least just before they go to bed) and sweep it up with a dustpan and brush. I find it easier than sweeping the fleece. If the fleece stays dry then it should be ok for them, and it has for me so far, but we've had great whether this week. Oh and wash it once a week or as much as you like.

I'm ordering some vet bed from zooplus though for the sleeping part of the hutch. I bet vet bed will be comfier and stay dryer and all, because I've found it really good in the vets.
 
That hutch and run sound a great size for them :) no worries there! I use hay and straw, but nothing wrong with shavings :) I just find them a bit messier than hay.
 
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