Opinions on housing

[Chumbles]

I'm currently doing some research on guinea pigs and would greatly value everyone's opinion on my current thoughts for their housing. Sorry for the long thread!

I'm currently a bunny owner and its taken me a long time to get their housing right, but I'm hoping I can use some of this knowledge for the guinea pigs!

My current thoughts are as follows:

> 5' x 2' x 2' hutch in the garage with a heater in the winter to keep the temperature from getting too cold.
> a runaround tube leading to an outside run (size to be confirmed) - the run will be sheltered with a perspex roof, but wire mesh walls.

I have a number of specific questions:

> has anyone used the runaround tubes with their piggies? I've got them for my rabbits set up, but can't imagine a little piggy using it.

> is it possible for rabbits and guinea pigs to "upset" each other? Obviously they need to be housed separately - but I didn't know if being able to see each other in the garden from their respective runs would cause any tension?

> my rabbits are given the choice whether to be inside or out, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Is it ok to do this with guinea pigs or would it be unsafe to give them the option to be outside in the winter?

Any other thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated!

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

bumping for you

 

[Caviesgalore (EPGPR)]

Hi and welcome to TGPF. I have given you my thoughts to your questions below:

My current thoughts are as follows:

> 5' x 2' x 2' hutch in the garage with a heater in the winter to keep the temperature from getting too cold. How many pigs are you hoping to have? A hutch that size would be fantastic for a pair and possibly a trio i.e 3 girls or a neutered boy and 2 wives. If you are thinking of having boars please only have 2. As regards housing them in a garage with a heater, make sure you don't have a car in the garage as the exhaust fumes can cause piggies problems and another thought is how much natural daylight does your garage get?

> a runaround tube leading to an outside run (size to be confirmed) - the run will be sheltered with a perspex roof, but wire mesh walls. has anyone used the runaround tubes with their piggies? I've got them for my rabbits set up, but can't imagine a little piggy using it. I have no experience of the runaround system (although I have seen in on RU) with piggies. In principle I don't see why they couldn't use it, although I'm not sure how they would cope with a long length from the garage to the run.


> is it possible for rabbits and guinea pigs to "upset" each other? Obviously they need to be housed separately - but I didn't know if being able to see each other in the garden from their respective runs would cause any tension? As long as the piggies and bunnies have their own accommodation and run space having some of each shouldn't be a problem. I have piggies of my own but often board visiting buns and have never experienced any issues.

> my rabbits are given the choice whether to be inside or out, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Is it ok to do this with guinea pigs or would it be unsafe to give them the option to be outside in the winter? As far as allowing pigs 24/7 access to the run is concerned I wouldn't be happy to do this in the winter months. Unlike buns, piggies don't have furry feet and their tummies are much closer to the ground - they don't do well in wet/damp/draughty conditions. I tend to keep my shed piggies indoors until late morning to give the grass a chance to dry off, I then pop them out in their runs for some exercise for about an hour at this time of the year. If it is particularly cold or wet they don't go outside but take it in turns in the shed run. If you have room in your garage you could rig up their run in their.


I hope that helps a little and make sure you post pics of your new additions.