New Re Hutches Size?

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JimmyMature

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hi all, I'm looking at getting an RE hutches house for my pigs. Can you advise what size is ideal please? I'm thinking of getting of getting this

http://www.rehutches.com/triple-hutches/31-triple-deluxe-rabbit-hutch.html


I will have top two floors for my two males and was thinking of getting some females in the bottom two floors. My question is, would 3-4 females be ok in the two lower floors? During the day in nice weather they will be on the grass in runs.


Thanks in advance,


Jim
 
Hi!

What a love hutch! Would you be looking to get the 4ft or the 5ft hutch? Knowing this will help us determine how many pigs would be happy in it.
 
That is a fantastic hutch! Is there an enclosed sleeping compartment on the top floor? You could put a little house in there. 4 X 2 ft is big enough for two piggies. Bigger if you are going to have boars, as they really need to get away from each other sometimes to avoid fighting. It would not be a good idea to keep females so close to non-neutered males, as the smell of the females would cause them to fight. And, neutering males would not necessarily stop this behaviour. Hope this helps.
 
If you were insisted on keeping the females in the same hutch but separated from the males, you should have the females living above the males rather than below to minimise the scent of the females as like the above post, the smell of the females could cause your males to fight and fall out.

That is an amazing hutch though.
 
JimmyMature said:
Thanks for the comments. Seems like I'll drop the idea of having the females so close the the males. If I were to get this one for a group of females, how many could live together in this?

http://www.rehutches.com/double-hutches/20-6-foot-double-rabbit-hutch.html


Thanks again,


Jim
Click to expand...
Agreed, it is best to keep boar (male guinea pig) pairs as far away from sows (female guinea pig) as possible.

6x2 ft is the minimum size for four piggies. As additional floors don't count towards extra floor space, I'd say a group of a maximum of four would be fine.
 
Thanks all, why doesn't multilevel hutches make a difference to the space? I've read this quite a lot and can't quite get my head round why more space doesn't count as more space!


Advice as always is appreciated.


Cheers,

Jim
 
You can't guarantee they will use the two floors so really each level would be suitable for 4 pig's.

You could have 4 in each level, with no ramp.
 
Piggies tend to only use one floor at a time. I believe piggies like to follow eachother around and therefore the whole herd/pair/trio is often on the same floor at once, so each floor has to have enough space for all of them.
 
Two piggies in a 6x2 is fab, bigger is always better. It's the minimum size for 4 piggies, so for 2 it's going to be really spacious and lovely for them.

For a few weeks I have been planning on getting the exact same double hutch as you, with a pair in the top and a trio in the bottom. The genders in both the pair and the trio will be mixed (one neutered boar in each, with one/two sows) so it is safe to keep them in close proximity. The only reason why multiple boars cannot live together close to sows is because boars fight over sows in the wild. A single boar living with any number of sows is fine as there is no competition over the sows.

Please let me know what you think of the hutch when it arrives (or if it has arrived already)! I've heard they are good quality but it would be nice to know what you think. Did you order security bolts and/or shutters, and do you reckon they are worth the extra money? As I do plan on getting one, it would be helpful to know more about what they are like. :)
 
Hi there, I think the bolts are a must. I also ordered a waterproof base, instead of the standard wooden base I ordered one that is coated and fully waterproof inside so urine etc won't be a problem in a few years. I didn't order the shutters as the hutch will be moved into the garage in the winter to help them with the cold!

I've spoke to Rob a few times and he a nice guy, giving advice and ideas. I should get it delivered in a few more weeks. I'll post pictures up when it arrives.

Jim
 
I thought so too, bolts protect piggies from foxes and other predators which every hutch really should have. Personally I would just line the base with lino/vinyl, but that's just me. I will most likely ask for shutters when I am ordering mine, as moving it into the garage wouldn't be very convenient in my situation (it's crammed with stuff haha).

I'm glad Rob sounds nice, makes me feel more confident about ringing up etc. :D

Thanks for being so helpful, can't wait for the pictures. :)
 
We've got a hutch from them too - a two storey 5ft for two boars. I agree the quality is excellent and I'm really happy we stretched to pay the extra for it. We've also got the waterproof stuff and that's great.
Rob is lovely to talk to - he certainly can talk too! When they delivered ours it was about 5.45 am on a Saturday - eek!
 
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