Outdoor Hutch + Run - With Trays, Or Without Trays?

[hipslikecinders]

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking of buying this hutch from ebay for my guinea pig 'Pig'. The hutch would be going on patio paving and not grass.


I'm thinking that this hutch with the removable trays would be quite handy for cleaning, and also I like how the run on the bottom is raised off the floor so the wood around the bottom doesn't go damp and moldy.

Do you think these trays would actually be a bit loose/less safe or make it more difficult to clean?

Perhaps I'd be better off with a non tray one?

I know that the single storey hutches are easier to clean overall, but Pig is going to be living in a garden with a nosy & excitable dog and I want his main living space to be higher up so he doesn't feel as threatened. I'm also going to try and cordon the area off so the dog can't get near him!

If any of you have experience with tray hutches/non tray hutches I'd love to hear your opinion.

Thanks!

x

 

[Anna Day]

This is similar to the one I have. Same as you I thought the trays would be an easy cleaning and the higher lower level good.
Have had for 2 months and my observations so far:
I like being able to take the trays out as I can disinfect them, scrub and hose down and leave out to dry.
I put newspaper down then shavings on the trays. With these u can't then just pull the trays out as goes over the top. Not as easy as I thought so end up rolling the newspaper and then tipping the excess in the tray into bin after.
The bottom sides are open. Have found shavings and poops fall out the end onto the floor. Just quick sweep up every so often.
The trays are not loose or unsafe.
I have a cover for the cage which i keep on all the time for wind/rain and nighttime prowlers! Have found that you can't pull the trays out with the cover on so u have to pull off which is a bit of a faff.
I started thinking a while ago I should have got a normal 2 tiered cage and put lino on bottom. Tricky one as I also like the fact you can take the trays right out and the plastic is easy to clean. ON a normal cage the wood will always get manky i assume.... you can also dry the trays and return unlike wood .... good in winter...
I do worry that over time the trays may warp and not fit in but i suppose they wouldn't make them if they did. Also by then in a few years you would look to replace the cage anyway.
I only do a big clean once a week so is not too much hassle and is lovely putting it all back sparkly clean.
Hope this makes sense! Lots of pros and cons!
Good Luck!

 

[Sara412]

I have a similar cage but it came without the bottom tray, as it was supposed to go on the grass, but as mine is in a shed , I purchased from the garden centre a black tray liner for growing veg etc. I find it great as I just pull out and disenfect and leave to dry. The top cage is fixed and awkward to clean and the wipe clean surface is beginning to warp from all the wee! but it is 4 years old so doing well

 

[hipslikecinders]

Thank you both for your detailed replies, I really appreciate it! I think I'm going to go for trays as it seems to be more hygienic in the long run and I like how they will dry quickly in winter, as I don't want the wood to get damp and moldy! x