New Undercover Run

[katali]

I'm turning my 4'×6' greenhouse into an undercover run for the guinea pigs during rubbish weather (such as today) and just in general, they will be able to access it whenever they want as there will be a permanent tunnel straight from the hutch next door into it and down a ramp. I'm just not sure what to do with the floor. Their hutch has fleece all through with hay on it in the bedroom. I can't decide whether to a) leave the floor as the paving slabs for the sake of helping them wear their claws down, with wood shavings and hay b) put down some insulation, a waterproof barrier and lino covered mdf, with then newspaper, towels and fleece like in the hutch, or c) half and half. Any thoughts, suggestions, preferences?

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

I think the idea with fleece would be better. Are you keeping the greenhouse glass, it will be too hot for them if so?

 

[newtoguineas]

i dont know but it sounds great, pls post a photo when u have time!

 

[ChrisU]

My piggies live in a greenhouse in the winter. Their hutches are in there but they can run around on the ground during the day. There are paving slabs down the middle and soil at the sides. I like to think they keep the soil fertilised for when I plant tomatoes in the summer!

It does get cold in the winter but their hutches are insulated and they have Snugglesave pads.

 

[katali]

My hutch doesn't leave much space when it is in the greenhouse, so it is now just outside and this will be an extension of their living space. I'm hoping if it is too hot or cold they will have the good sense to go back to the hutch, but for the summer my husband is making a mesh door so the proper door can stay open and they will still be safe, and we will make a mesh screen for the window at the top as well. I'm sure their poop is great fertiliser, I'm looking forward to how well the lawn grows after a couple of years of them grazing it!

It's polycarbonate, and they've been in their for a week in the hutch without it being too hot, although it wasn't the best weather, but when the weather is hot they will probably be out on the grass anyway, so shouldn't be an issue, cold is my bigger worry, but I may bubble wrap the whole thing if needed in the winter.