Is this hutch ok for 2?

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ricmas

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Hi there

I am in the process of buying a hutch for my soon to be aquired Guinea Pigs and I found this one at Argos:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0352899/Trail/searchtext>HUTCH.htm

In the description is says it is suitable for 1 rabbit/guinea pig but I think it should be ok for 2 guinea pigs. What do you guys think? And will I also need to buy a seperate run or will the lower storey of this hutch be fine on its own?
Thanks, look forward to your replies :))
 
I would say thats fine for a home but you will need more space than the mentioned "run" for the piggies to explore, theres not enough ample space for them to stretch their legs properly. Piggies need lots of exercise, for stimulation as well as anything else and they'd be on top of eachother if they were stuck in there all day with no further areas to play in.

Is there not somewhere in the garden which you could make secure so that they can have a little play, even if its just a little area around where their hutch would be sited, that way they could pop in and out of their hutch as they please to get food, water, or just to have a kip.

Hope this helps. x
 
I think the same as donna looks great but they would need more room to exercise for sure.
maybe your could attach a larger run to it for the day time then they can pop in and out? i have just bought a 5ftx2ft double hutch with a ramp in it for around £30 more (primrose cottage p@h they dont list it online but have them in my local store) i also have plans to attach a run to that, we've had to change it a bit to make ramp safe, and I'm in the process of trying to find some lino to put on the floor of the hutch to preserve it but its a great size. they live indoors at the mo, but once the weather gets nicer they will have loads of fun in it I'm sure!
 
I think the recommended minimum space for 2 pigs is 4ft x 2ft, which is about 120cm x 61cm, so I think this hutch is too small. Although it's got the bottom space as well, this would not be used in the winter or bad weather, so you have to think that the guineas will only have the enclosed space to live in- which is less than 104cm x 48cm. I would imagine the ramp would be a bit steep as well.

Have you had a look on ebay? :)
 
Alot depends on how bonding the piggys are. My 2 mid age would be absolutely fine in that ( as all mine get out regulary ) but my other pair would not more room to get away from each other. Males usually need more space :))
 
The problem I can see with that hutch is the bottom bit would be wasted space in the colder months so you need to think that the upstairs space would be their only living accommodation during the winter. If you like that style of hutch, you can buy bigger versions for the same price on ebay :)
 
item_details.jsp
My local joiner makes nice hutches. His small one is: fully treated hutch 1265mm long x 490 deep x 550 high local joiner made. other sizes and styles can be made. Only £35. Pic attached (I hope ...not very high tech :red)

So if you were close enough maybe you could request a bigger one ? double or 6ft or the same size with attached run ?

Just an idea -c

Erika
 
Careful now.

Yeah it seems pretty good but be careful , with bottomless hutches or the "run" foxes or other wild animals can dig underneath that and snatch your little piggys. i'd add a few more latches onto it just to be safe and buy a hutch cover for it as at night time when the air is cooler they could get pretty cold. but mentioning all that , i think thats an awesome hutch that they would love to run round in.:)
 
No, it's way too small for two piggies. Hutches usually have a wall dividing the enclosed part from the open and both that and the opening for the ramp takes space away from the already too small upstaris living area. Look at some of the alternatives people have suggested and good luck! :)
 
That looks better space wise now if the run is to be attached :) i would still be a bit reserved about having two piggies live in that sized hutch thou, espcially in the winter, they wont be able to use the run underneth or the extra run as the ground will be too wet and cold for them, potentially they could stand to get very ill if they do :( its probably ok as advertised for one piggie but they love to be in pairs or more (well sows anyway!) have a think about how you will get around winter time i know summer is hopefully on the way but it will shoot past and before you know it the nights will draw in and it will start to get horrible again, its a very small space in terms of actual 'hutch' for two. maybe have look at some of the threads on c&c its realy addictive and i have found so far that its great fun having the pigs indoors they realy interact with you and your family and their day to day life! i intend to have my piggies outside in the summer and back in over winter i will be getting them into it slowly starting with them spending a few hours at a time in their outdoor hutch then increasing it until they are in there all day until eventually they spend nights too (weather and temp permitting) although its been lovely and sunny here its still realy cold at night! hope i dont sound like I'm being too negitive! sorry if it does but i know theres nothing worse than spending money on something to find something else better for a few quid more! :{ it'd be worth it to see them popcorning around ! ;)
by the way i have just re looked at the hutch you ordered is 116cm 4ft? if so i'll shut up and go away because maybe 4ft is ok? lol
 
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I'd say of course thats enough room for 2 guineas to live. you can put one on top and the other on the bottom. :))
 
hey
good choice, i almost got that hutch before but in the end i decided i could use my dad's skills with tools to improve my old hutch. i'm making an indoor space now but that definitely looks good! i'm pretty sure it's the same one...when i was looking at it i think it had enough room for 4 piggies!
 
flips said:
I think the recommended minimum space for 2 pigs is 4ft x 2ft, which is about 120cm x 61cm, so I think this hutch is too small. Although it's got the bottom space as well, this would not be used in the winter or bad weather, so you have to think that the guineas will only have the enclosed space to live in- which is less than 104cm x 48cm. I would imagine the ramp would be a bit steep as well.

Have you had a look on ebay? :)
Click to expand...


I've got an indoor cage with a steep ramp like this, and have been able to adapt it by putting a wooden house under the bottom of the ramp. It works well, the piggies are happy to use it and jump up and down from the wooden house.

I would have thought a hutch like this would be too cold for guinea pigs in the UK to live outside in over the winter anyway (as there's a hole in the floor for the ramp, which would let cold air in) ... I bring mine inside over winter/cold weather.
 
It definitley looks a better size than the first one you looked at and the run is a great addition. :) Have you thought about getting the cover for the hutch at some point? Might give the pigs slightly longer use of the bottom level as the weather cools down later in the year.
You might find you need to modify the ramp slightly so that it's safe for pigs- sides or some extra grip- but you can look at that when it arrives.
 
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