Painting a hutch

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asdash

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I have just been given a hutch by a friend of a friend, we are planning to get any animals for a while and the hutch needs a good tidy up.

I plan to put some shed felt on the roof and paint the outside in cuprinol garden shades (as they seem to suggest this is ok on the website) - does anyone know if this is safe to use on the inside too ? Also is it a good idea to go over the stain on the outside with a varnish to make it more waterproof.

Finally as I wasn't planning to use it for a few weeks, I was planning to give it a good scrub with dilute Jeyes fluid (not sure how long since it was last occupied) Is this a good idea ? or a big no-no.

Have had lots of pets before but never guinea pigs so want to make sure we do it properly

Thanks
Andrea
 
Wilkinsons do a range of garden paints that are safe for the inside and there is a cream coloured one.
I did up a hutch using the paints and they are really good!
 
Thanks - my plan was to use the jeyes fluid now as I wasn't sure of the hutch history but not actually put any animals in for a good couple of weeks - Idon't think I'd use it if there were animals in the hutch

Andrea
 
Am trying to upload a picture of the hutch but for some reason my settings seem to say I can't - do I have to be a member for a certian time before I can do pictures ?

Andrea
 
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asdash said:
Am trying to upload a picture of the hutch but for some reason my settings seem to say I can't - do I have to be a member for a certian time before I can do pictures ?

Andrea
Click to expand...

Ooh, if I remember, I uploaded pics when I joined. The rules may have changed - maybe someone can enlighten ?/
 
Pictures

Trying again with the images


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Andrea
 
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Success !

As you can see the floor of both levels is a bit bowed and marked - I don't think I can get it out so want to give it a good scrub !

Andrea
 
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Looks a nice strong hutch and with some TLC, could be made lovely :))
Part of the excitement of having our furry friends coming to live with us is all the planning and preparation...and more planning...and more preparation ;)
Keep us updated with the makeover, I love to see the ideas people have :))
 
Apologies for all the posts with no picture !

Another couple of questions, from reading the posts it seems a good idea to put vinyl on the floors - is this just tacked/stapled on or is they a special method ?

I was thinking to put sawdust on the floor of the lower level, but possibly use fleece/vet bed (I have both in the house already !) in the house bit upstairs -does this sound about right ?

Andrea
 
I use vinyl tiles inside my hutches, I opt for the self adhesive ones and find these stay down well. I tend to line the bottom of all my cages/hutches with a thick layer of newspaper and then pop my bedding, megazorb or aubiose in my case, on top then hay.

If you want to try fleece I would think the top level would be the better option as bedding is bound to fall down onto the lower level so more chance of the fleece staying slightly cleaner if it's at the top. You are going to have some very happy piggies in due course.:)
 
Avoid sawdust hun as it can irritate their respiratory tract and they can inhale it - happened to one of my boys when I popped a handful in his loo area...never again 8...
Flooring is plain old lino, we bought an offcut on Sunday from a market 15ft x 6ft wide for £5 so is cheap as chips. Vet bed is the best option in my eyes, I swear by it and use it for all of my piggies, they love it and it is so practical as it wicks any wetness to the base so the surface stays dry. I can leave my pairs and trios of piggies for a week, the herd of six girls, I change every 3-4 days so it really works for us :))
Some decent suppliers on ebay, the rubber backed bedding is ok but the green backed is a better quality. I've used it for around a year now and it is still in great condition.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f....l1313&_nkw=vet+bed&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Some nice colours and designs around (I've spotted some camoflage vet bed today so am deciding whether to buy it for the boys pens but would have to buy the girls some too, need 40ft in total mallethead and the council tax is due tomorrow rolleyes) Hum...
You will find lots of nice ideas on the thread with members pens/cages, worth having a peep ;)

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=53209
 
If I get the self adhesive floor tiles, do I need to seal them round the edges - would something like Duck tape work ?

I have some vet bed which was used for the dog (no longer with us) several years ago if I wash it again *** lthat be ok ?



Andrea
 
I'd personally recommend sheet vinyl, as tiles the wee can soak between the joints and go all messy

With my vinyl I used a couple of batons screwed down at each end to secure, then used clear sealant around all the joints to prevent wee seepage!
 
asdash said:
If I get the self adhesive floor tiles, do I need to seal them round the edges - would something like Duck tape work ?

I have some vet bed which was used for the dog (no longer with us) several years ago if I wash it again *** lthat be ok ?



Andrea
Click to expand...

Hi Andrea, i saw your intro so popped over here...... that hutch is great, yes with a thorough clean and some TLC you'll have VERY happy pigglies :)

I wouldn't use duct tape as piggies love to nibble rolleyes

Glynis Velvet and Onyx x
 
Thought you would like an update of how the hutch is looking

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Scrubbed and painted with pet safe paints, need to varnish the outside to make it a little more waterproof and then just put the vinyl floor down

Hoping to get the piggies soon

Andrea
 
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