Outdoor hutch with a run attached ? Advice please ...

[Rae1508]

Hi all
This weekend i am planning on modifying my 2 outdoor hutches, to make one BIG hutch, with a run area attached.

My piggies are currently all indoors but get regular use of the outdoor run when i am at home/in the garden.

I know it will be lovely for them to have access to the run/grass all day ... but i am really anxious about it !

A few initial questions i have are ...
1)are they sensible enough to go into the cage if it starts raining/gets cold?
2)are they likely to get freaked by things like birds flying around or cats in the garden?
3)should i close off the run at night?
4) will things like ants, slugs, worms etc cause them problems?

I will be making it VERY safe - BUT when i think about them being in the run without me around, i feel like a mother who's going to let her kids walk to school alone for the first time !

Also - i have a good plan in my head - but if you can point me to any links (or post any photo's) of cages that have been modified to include a run that'll be great

All advice and opinions welcome please !
Thanks
Rach

 

[minimowers]

Hi Rach,

In answer to your questions:
1. They should be sensible enough to know when to go to bed but you may want to put an igloo or two in the run area as well
2. Mine are not bothered by cats or birds but I always put a shower curtain over the top of the run to prevent any flying predators from peering in, it also acts as a great sun and rain cover.
3. It depends how secure your run is. For peace of mind you may want to make sure they are tucked up in bed and close them in overnight but if the run is 100% safe then they should be okay. I sometimes allow some of my pigs to stay out overnight in the summer but their run is completely enclosed with chicken wire underneath as well as on top so nothing could dig its may in or get to them.
4. Ants maybe, slugs and worms no.

Hope this helps!

 

[rosielx]

Hi. My pigs live out doors in a trixie hutch with very strong wire and an in built roof over hutch. I used to close the hutch at might but they learned to open the door to the run. They do go inside when it rains or when it dark. I have a small upside down dog bed in the run for more shelter. The only one silly enough to stay out in the rain was sausage when heavily pregnant.

 

[shazbo]

hi my partner built my pen we have a ramp going down in to run but none of them use it to have to put them in run by hand basil runs staight back up ramp to bedroom freddie stops down til you put him back but if rains he goes under pen cause big area there and we cover run up with plasic if starts raining and freddie being a pain to catch lol