New Hutch

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helenv87

helenv87

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After lots of planning and thinking I have decided I should probably get a new hutch for my outdoor Guinea pigs that will give them extra space to run around whilst I can't bring them inside.
I have looked at different ones and I think the best one I have found is this one, it has an upstairs compartment where I could put a sleeping area,and then during the day open up the ramp to the bottom
To give them more space etc

I'm worried this might still not be the best hutch and don't want to buy it if It will be a waste

My main worry is the ramp to the bottom, I'm not sure if It looks a bit steep

I do have a ramp already in my hutch that the Guinea pigs use but it's only to the top of a box so not very big at all, the box is so small they sometimes jump into the roof without using the ramp lol

Does anyone else have a hutch like this?or have any idea on how I could ensure they would use both levels so it doesn't end up being a waste of money etc

image.webp
 
That looks almost identical to the hutch that mine were in before they moved to a C&C, and it was fantastic.
Ours was 150cm long and they were fine with the ramp - in fact it took them longer to get to grips with the C&C ramp!
But how long is that cage - if it is 120 the ramp might be a bit steeper.

I started off by putting lots of 'stuff' downstairs, but in the end just had a platform and a few stick tunnels there and they used to run around ike crazy, so it's does offer a decent play area, if you use the top for sleeping and eating.
 
Swissgreys said:
That looks almost identical to the hutch that mine were in before they moved to a C&C, and it was fantastic.
Ours was 150cm long and they were fine with the ramp - in fact it took them longer to get to grips with the C&C ramp!
But how long is that cage - if it is 120 the ramp might be a bit steeper.

I started off by putting lots of 'stuff' downstairs, but in the end just had a platform and a few stick tunnels there and they used to run around ike crazy, so it's does offer a decent play area, if you use the top for sleeping and eating.
Click to expand...

The hutch is only 104cm long
It's the only hutch like it I can find though that already has a bottom but attached, the area I want to put it has lots of pebbles so I'd need some sort of built in floor and I liked that one as you can pull it out to clean it better
 
The pull out floors are a good idea. I have one of those, and although I never pull them out as its a massive pain to get the tray back in, they're far better than hutches with wooden floor, which rotts far too quickly. The hutch itself looks okay, but remember piggies prefer long to tall, so if you could just get a long, single story one it would probably be better, plus much more room for tunnels and extra houses should the piggies fall out, whereas on this one I cant see where you could put a second house for sleeping if arguments occur.
 
The3LittlePigs said:
The pull out floors are a good idea. I have one of those, and although I never pull them out as its a massive pain to get the tray back in, they're far better than hutches with wooden floor, which rotts far too quickly. The hutch itself looks okay, but remember piggies prefer long to tall, so if you could just get a long, single story one it would probably be better, plus much more room for tunnels and extra houses should the piggies fall out, whereas on this one I cant see where you could put a second house for sleeping if arguments occur.
Click to expand...

I have a single story hutch at the moment that is 122cm long, I can't really fit anything longer than that in the space in the garden.

Because you can't bring them in and out during winter I was hoping the downstairs run would be a better alternative so they still get floor space,I was going to allow them upstairs and downstairs during the day and then upstairs only overnight which is where the sleeping compartments are
 
I don't think the length is long enough.I would go for a single tiered six foot hutch.I think the lower floor would be too exposed for them in the winter.
 
helenv87 said:
After lots of planning and thinking I have decided I should probably get a new hutch for my outdoor Guinea pigs that will give them extra space to run around whilst I can't bring them inside.
I have looked at different ones and I think the best one I have found is this one, it has an upstairs compartment where I could put a sleeping area,and then during the day open up the ramp to the bottom
To give them more space etc

I'm worried this might still not be the best hutch and don't want to buy it if It will be a waste

My main worry is the ramp to the bottom, I'm not sure if It looks a bit steep

I do have a ramp already in my hutch that the Guinea pigs use but it's only to the top of a box so not very big at all, the box is so small they sometimes jump into the roof without using the ramp lol

Does anyone else have a hutch like this?or have any idea on how I could ensure they would use both levels so it doesn't end up being a waste of money etc

View attachment 52830
Click to expand...
Can't your OH or dad make you one. The ramp is a bit steep but your piggies may get used to it. Bet if you put the food up there they'd be no problem
 
Minimum floor space (one level) is 120 for two sows and 140 for two boys.Don't worry about pull out floors you can line it with lino, stick on tiles or correx.The bluebell hutch in pets at home looks pretty good but don't know floor space.Ramp tunnels are good and stop your piggies falling off
 
Tiamolly123 said:
Can't your OH or dad make you one. The ramp is a bit steep but your piggies may get used to it. Bet if you put the food up there they'd be no problem
Click to expand...

I don't talk to my dad anymore
My OH could probably do it but we don't have the space for him to do it and with the shifts he works he also doesn't have the time :( he has said he will help me make adaptions to the hutch where needed and obviously out it together when it it arrives but he can't make one from scratch
 
madguinealady said:
Minimum floor space (one level) is 120 for two sows and 140 for two boys.Don't worry about pull out floors you can line it with lino, stick on tiles or correx.The bluebell hutch in pets at home looks pretty good but don't know floor space.Ramp tunnels are good and stop your piggies falling off
Click to expand...

I have seen the bluebell hutch at PAH but think that was too big when I measured it, Ive looked into all he hutches at PAH and can't remember why I didn't like that one
 
helenv87 said:
I don't talk to my dad anymore
My OH could probably do it but we don't have the space for him to do it and with the shifts he works he also doesn't have the time :( he has said he will help me make adaptions to the hutch where needed and obviously out it together when it it arrives but he can't make one from scratch
Click to expand...
I didn't speak to my parents, they are gone now, but I don't regret my stance
 
Can i suggest you look at the home and roost website they do 2 tier hutches which are very sturdy,the ramps have sides,and the bottom floor is not so exposed,in the winter it is not great for piggies to have have draughts and cold going in,you can get good covers for them as well.they do four foot x 2 feet chartwell hutch,maybe worth a look?i hope you find a solution.:)
 
eileen said:
Can i suggest you look at the home and roost website they do 2 tier hutches which are very sturdy,the ramps have sides,and the bottom floor is not so exposed,in the winter it is not great for piggies to have have draughts and cold going in,you can get good covers for them as well.they do four foot x 2 feet chartwell hutch,maybe worth a look?i hope you find a solution.:)
Click to expand...

Thanks I'll have a look at them x
 
@eileen ive had a quick look at them but I'm not sure if I'd be able to get one from there as they look really expensive, I'll have a better look tomorrow
 
My next door neighbour has the hutch you had in the first picture. Her boys have never had a problem with the ramp and fly up and down it. I would say as well that it is quite a small hutch as hers tend to live upstairs and there is not a lot of space apart from in the bed end. If you were to get that hutch I would highly recommend getting the cover for it as the rain does tend to get into the bottom area as the sides are open. That or you would need to enclose the sides so that they do not get wet.
Personally when looking for hutches I went for the pets at home bluebell hutch as a lot of hutches were way to expensive and the cheaper ones too small or not a suitable design. I now have 2 Bluebell hutches as I love them so much. I got one second hand so it might be worth looking at that option.
 
I think I might have found a nicer hutch that is 4ft and very similar to the one before,
What do you all think to this one?

image.webp
 
Only thing id be skeptical about is the locks as they don't look brilliant, but other than that it seems fine. Are you attaching a run, too? You could always cover the sides with plywood if you wanted constant access.
 
The3LittlePigs said:
Only thing id be skeptical about is the locks as they don't look brilliant, but other than that it seems fine. Are you attaching a run, too? You could always cover the sides with plywood if you wanted constant access.
Click to expand...

I don't think I'd be able to attach a run to it at the moment but it is something I could look into and have an option for the future.
I am going to change the heart locks I don't like them
 
Looks good enough for two anyway. Plus the wood itself looks sturdier than the usual pets @ home ones so hopefully it'll last you longer. What's the slanted bit on the top level for?
 
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