Outdoor run advice?

[Leigh]

http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af114/LeighW_2010/?action=view&current=Outdoor.jpg

Hi Guys
Had piggies for a week and have set everything up as well as possible. Was wondering if anyone could check out this photo and cast an expert eye? Cage with net over for when no one is in the garden, but hoping to let them run free in grassy bit when we are there - do you think they can escape over the wee fence? Does anything look dangerous? All advice gladly accepted.

Thank you
Leigh

 

[Claire W]

Your set up looks great but I am not sure I would trust the netting alone to keep predators out. I am just thinking about my own cat who jumps on top of my run and that has mesh on the top. I think a cat jumping on netting with a small animal underneath could be a disaster. The again, I am a worry pot.

The piggie's 'may' be able to hop over the fence. It depends on if they are jumpers or not. My Eliza can quite happily escape over something that is 1ft high but the other 2 can't so it just depends on your pigs

They will more than likely stay with in the fence area but I would still keep a close eye on them just in case they do attempt to escape

 

[Spishkey]

to be on the safe side i would go around the wooden fence with a 40-60cm high piece of chickenwire or something similar. i have piggys who like climbing
in regards to leaving them in the metal run with the netty top. dont do it. either replace the top net with wire mesh and seal well or lock them up when you arent there. ive seen cats get through the net very easily

 

[Leigh]

oh

Thanks. Glad I asked! Have got some wire mesh and will change that asap. One of the piggies did manage to climb out of a cardboard box so I'll run the mesh round the inside of the fence?
Can't bare the thought of an escape or a masacre!
Leigh

 

[Wiebke]

The wooden fence is too low - guinea pigs can jump over anything they can put their front paws on or even higher! I agree with Spishkey - especially with small children around.

Otherwise, it looks great! You might like a sheet or towel to cover their run for very sunny, hot days. They might also appreciate it at the beginning, as guinea pigs are naturally wary of open spaces (birds of prey are one of their main enemies).