Hi all, we have moved our 2 piggies outside for the summer and set them up in the way pictured below. We keep the hutch door open during the day if we’re at home and it’s good weather, but we shut them in the hutch if we’re out. However, yesterday I felt really guilty giving them their breakfast and shutting the hutch door straight up again because I had to go to work - they looked really keen to get out. Would that set up be safe enough to leave the hutch door open all day if we’re out, or should we keep doing what we’re currently doing? They are so much happier having the space to run around in that I don’t like them being cooped up in the hutch all day.
Leaving piggies out
- Thread starter chaz_p77
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I would be worried about predators ... but thats just me! A cat could get in, a bird could swoop... I always think on the black side!
That’s been my fear and why we haven’t left them alone so far. The way we’ve had to set up the run means that we can’t put a net over it, too, so it would have to stay uncovered.
I am sure someone with more experience of out door set ups will come along and be able to help... Mine are always indoor and when its summer I panic incase a cat gets in the house even! Such a stress head!
I had no idea just how paranoid owning them would make me! They’re supposed to be for my daughter, but I spend my time constantly worrying about them. We put them in the outdoor hutch for the first time at Easter and since then I’ve been constantly worried about them being too scared by new noises, or too cold. I nearly brought them straight back in after a freak hailstorm last week!
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Mine lasted about 3 weeks outside and I couldn't cope
they happily live in the front room ...
eileen
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I would maybe think about a wooden run that has a solid lid,this would be much safer,not that i wish to scare you,ive seen a magpie go off with a guinea pig.i just wondered if you have a cover for the hutch,will stop rain,wind,etc getting in.a lovely setup. its best to stay on the cautious side.
Gosh! This was my fear... we have loads of birds in our garden!I would maybe think about a wooden run that has a solid lid,this would be much safer,not that i wish to scare you,ive seen a magpie go off with a guinea pig.i just wondered if you have a cover for the hutch,will stop rain,wind,etc getting in.a lovely setup. its best to stay on the cautious side.
eileen
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as long as you have a very sturdy wooden run,should be fine !i am at home alot so do not leave mine in the run if I'm not able to supervise ! i have to time share the runs with having alot of piggies !
Thank you - I’ll keep an eye out for a more solid run and until then we’ll just let them out when we’re around.I would maybe think about a wooden run that has a solid lid,this would be much safer,not that i wish to scare you,ive seen a magpie go off with a guinea pig.i just wondered if you have a cover for the hutch,will stop rain,wind,etc getting in.a lovely setup. its best to stay on the cautious side.
We haven’t got a cover yet. They’ve got a big 2-storey indoor cage that they’ll go in when it’s really cold and wet (they’ve been inside since we got them in October). Where they are at the moment is at the side of our house so it’s pretty sheltered. Although the hail last week did make me want to grab them straight inside!
G&C
Junior Guinea Pig
You’re set up looks quite good but it does need a roof to it, chicken wire or something similar would be fine. As long as it’s secure to keep out cats and birds.