Plastic Storage Sheds....

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Lou1975

Lou1975

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Does anyone keep their pigs in plastic hutches or have you adapted a plastic bike shed to keep them in? I know people that adapt the plastic sheds for poultry, and I know Omlet do a guinea pig version. I've just noticed the price difference between the wooden and plastic bike stores is huge! I've seen plastic sheds that have air vents! They seem very cosy, but would it be too hot during a British summer? (I currently have my hutch in the shaded part of the garden).

What do you think?
 
Personally I wouldn't use a plastic shed to keep any animals in, I'd be weary about when the warmer weather comes in and I'd be a bit paranoid about them being able to breath properly.

The omlet one does look good but there are no window's!

Hopefully someone who has experience with plastic hutches/shed posts :) I'd be interested to hear/see what they are like.
 
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That was my main concern. I'm new to keeping pigs & one of the four little females I adopted is pregnant....nope, didn't know until three weeks in...and I'm sending myself bananas trying to work out what would be the best accommodation for everyone!
I'm desp for advice!
Currently have preggers & her bonded friend in a rabbit cage in our box room and the other two girls in a hutch in the garden.
I've decided to rehome any male babies (already have a potential owner) and keep any females.

So, in a couple of weeks I could potentially have 7 females to house...!

I'm leaning towards keeping them outside, but I want something shed-like (not a separate shed...not enough room in the garden). Something the side of a bike shed would be perfect, but they're really expensive...

I'm not exaggerating when I say that this is taking up every spare minute of my spare time....

I'm even looking at chicken coops, although I'm aware some pigs won't use ramps.
 
Not a lot of room in a chicken coop as run could only be used in good weather.Mine are inside so don't have a lot of advise but I too wouldn't put mine in a plastic shed
 
Have you thought about having a tiered cage? What sort of space do you have and would you prefer them to be inside or outside?

I have three cages, 2x5 C&C one is tiered but it depends on what room you have. (Sorry if I have misread, I don't have the best concentration and sometimes just scan what I'm reading). Maybe tiered hutches? I don't know I'm trying to come up with ideas but my brains in fart mode lol.


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I like the IDEA of using plastic - it's durable and easy to clean, but I recon it would trap the heat and moisture, even with an air vent, and they'd end up living in a sauna in hot weather.
I wonder if it would be more suitable if you have it in a permanently shaded area AND you didn't put the door on, but made your own door out of a frame and wire mesh?
 
Yes. Removing the door does seem a good idea. Or just having it open all the time in hot weather? He one I've deen has double doors so in the colder weather one could be shut and one open....
I've just bought a 5ft x 4ft run and attached it to the hutch I've got. Loads of room & I've also got a sunshade cover, lots of tunnels & a rain cover.
 
I have driven myself bananas trying to figure out the perfect cage set up for my piggies, I looked at plastic storage things for tools and sheds. I wouldn't get one. I don't think they would be predator proof? although obviously I don't know what one you are looking at.

I would go for a hutch, a shed or a really big dog kennel type thing (looks like half a shed)

My piggies have had

1. too small cage
2. converted cupboard
3. 150 cage
4. 120 cage
5. combination of 100 and 150
6. total failure of a C and C cage
7. 3 outdoor hutches NONE of which they have actually lived in (2 sold on)
8. one indoor hutch I really liked but the wood got wet (yuck)
9. now the dandelion den indoors and although it is better for them it is a bit dark!

so I feel your pain!

My long term summer plan is indoor hutch at night and outdoor hutch with a run around attachment so they can have as much run as possible. I am ALWAYS worrying about space.

The number of runs I have gone through would be a whole different post!
 
Even my wooden shed is too hot in the summer, I have got the door open permanently during the day when it is the warm months to stop them over heating. They are in hutches within the shed as we have a lot of cats around. Plus the dog tends to wander in. I mean my dog and cat are petrified of the guinea pigs. If you were to leave the door open and with the ventilation I would think it might be ok in a shaded spot of the garden, but it would be one of those things where you couldn't tell until you try it and play it by ear. but then if you open the door you do have the problems of having to create an animal proof breathable door.
Have you thought about a 2 story wendy house or something similar. Try looking on freecycle for free second hand sheds, or gum tree for cheap ones.
We used to keep our guinea pigs in a wendy house with a ramp attached to the hutch and the door open permanently so they could come and go as they pleased. They always used the ramp as it was the width of the open hutch door so they felt safe with this type of ramp.
 
sophieandhoney said:
I have driven myself bananas trying to figure out the perfect cage set up for my piggies, I looked at plastic storage things for tools and sheds. I wouldn't get one. I don't think they would be predator proof? although obviously I don't know what one you are looking at.

I would go for a hutch, a shed or a really big dog kennel type thing (looks like half a shed)

My piggies have had

1. too small cage
2. converted cupboard
3. 150 cage
4. 120 cage
5. combination of 100 and 150
6. total failure of a C and C cage
7. 3 outdoor hutches NONE of which they have actually lived in (2 sold on)
8. one indoor hutch I really liked but the wood got wet (yuck)
9. now the dandelion den indoors and although it is better for them it is a bit dark!

so I feel your pain!

My long term summer plan is indoor hutch at night and outdoor hutch with a run around attachment so they can have as much run as possible. I am ALWAYS worrying about space.

The number of runs I have gone through would be a whole different post!
Click to expand...
I am soooo relieved that I'm not the only loon out there! I am seriously considering a wooden dog kennel & covered run. Like you say, then, they can come and go as they please. I have a special birthday coming up in October so I'm going to ask the OH for a new piggy setup. Or there are some chicken coops & runs with floor level entry to the "house" area :-)
 
sophieandhoney said:
I have driven myself bananas trying to figure out the perfect cage set up for my piggies, I looked at plastic storage things for tools and sheds. I wouldn't get one. I don't think they would be predator proof? although obviously I don't know what one you are looking at.

I would go for a hutch, a shed or a really big dog kennel type thing (looks like half a shed)

My piggies have had

1. too small cage
2. converted cupboard
3. 150 cage
4. 120 cage
5. combination of 100 and 150
6. total failure of a C and C cage
7. 3 outdoor hutches NONE of which they have actually lived in (2 sold on)
8. one indoor hutch I really liked but the wood got wet (yuck)
9. now the dandelion den indoors and although it is better for them it is a bit dark!

so I feel your pain!

My long term summer plan is indoor hutch at night and outdoor hutch with a run around attachment so they can have as much run as possible. I am ALWAYS worrying about space.

The number of runs I have gone through would be a whole different post!
Click to expand...
I am soooo relieved that I'm not the only loon out there! I am seriously considering a wooden dog kennel & covered run. Like you say, then, they can come and go as they please. I have a special birthday coming up in October so I'm going to ask the OH for a new piggy setup. Or there are some chicken coops & runs with floor level entry to the "house" area :-)
 
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