Hutch Space Question....

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DylElla

DylElla

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I have a 3 storey 5ft by 1ft hutch and I currently have 2 bonded boars age 17 weeks on 2 of the levels. Will they eventually need the third level as they get bigger or would the upper level be big enough for 2 female piggies?

I kind of have the piggy bug.

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So is each level 5 square foot?If so it is way too small for two boars.You go by one level, not add up the space.Two boars need 8 square foot .There is a cage size guide somewhere in here, can't remember where.Boars can get extremely big and need loads of space to run around in.If you just search for cage size guide you will find it.
 
These are the measurements I was sent. I rehomed them from the RSPCA and on the home check the lady said it was ok.

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Hi I don't quite understand your measurements above but maybe it is 1 and a half foot wide on each level?

I agree that you need to have the recommended minimum floor space on one level. I think it is around 140cmx80cm for boars but with the caution that the minimum is still not ideal and needs to be combined with lots of time out in a bigger space - floor time or time on the grass for example.

Just another point to make - pheromones from sows drift downwards so if it is big enough you'd have to put the sows on the bottom level and the boars above them so that you don't end up with a fall out because the boys smell the girls and decide to start competing.

I don't know how long you've had your piggies or what you know/don't know so apologies if this is something you already know and have planned for but keeping piggies outside in a hutch in winter is less than ideal because the temperature gets too low for them and it is hard to keep them draught free and at a temp of at least 15 degrees centigrade. Some people do keep piggies outside in hutches in winter but you can't bring them in and out for floor time/cuddles etc as the temperature changes may make them poorly. So you will need to plan for that when you are thinking about floor space.

Speaking as someone who went from having a pair of piggies to having 8 in the space of three months, I'd recommend perhaps waiting until you've had your first piggies for about a year before you add more. Just gives you a chance to experience lots of different things (good and not so good) so you can go into getting more with your eyes wide open.
 
Yes it's 5ft by 1.5ft and the hutch will be moved into the outdoor utility in the winter (concrete building, insulated with heaters). We've had the boys 2.5 weeks and wasn't thinking of adding any other piggies any time soon. It was just more of a question for way in the future.
 
DylElla said:
Yes it's 5ft by 1.5ft and the hutch will be moved into the outdoor utility in the winter (concrete building, insulated with heaters). We've had the boys 2.5 weeks and wasn't thinking of adding any other piggies any time soon. It was just more of a question for way in the future.
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Sounds like you've done some good planning ahead x
 
I might get a Midwest cage to move them in for the winter into the outdoor utility if I can find a good price instead of moving the hutch inside.
 
DylElla said:
I might get a Midwest cage to move them in for the winter into the outdoor utility if I can find a good price instead of moving the hutch inside.
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I think I'd just move the hutch - save the pennies for hay, food and vets bills ;)
 
:agr: - keep the hutch. You can always think about attaching a run for more space. My hutch is off the ground - but I found a wallpaper pasting table the same height - so I can attach this for exercise...

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exercise area attached 1.webp
 
I'd love to attach a run but the hutch is on the patio and a run I think would block the back gate. We do get cats coming over the gate too so I'd have to make a mesh top of some kind.
 
You can use more c&c grids to make the lid as well as the sides. A grid is about 36 cm square so you might be able to fit in a narrow run and still be able to open your gate maybe but in good weather a "normal" run on the grass may be easier for you anyway. What @PiggyOwner seems to have from the photos is all indoors (looks like you've upgraded location since we last chatted PiggyOwner?!) so perhaps an option for when you move the hutch in in the winter.
 
c&c grids are hard to find and quite pricey I find. I've got a panel run at the moment which I could wrap around the hutch and just keep the bottom hutch level open if we were in the garden. We have the run on the grass at the moment and they love it. There is a soft mesh cover on the one we have at the moment. I'd love to make a c&c one but can't afford it as they seem really expensive.
 
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