Potential New Owner - Cage Advice Greatly Needed :-)

[JoyfulGiggles]

Hi.

So I'm a big animal lover. I have 8 bantam chickens in 14ft x 6ft large shed coop/enclosed run & 4 indoor tonkinese cats. The chickens are really my husbands and MILs pets. MIL lives round corner and comes ever day to feed and talk to them. Husband really like them too. They're funny little things but I prefer furr to feathers if I'm honest. My cats are my babies after my real baby Alice. Alice is 3 months old and I've said since before she was even an idea never mind a reality that one day I would take my child (maybe when she's 5) like my daddy took me when I was little to get my first pet - a guinea pig (or two). They really are the sweetest pets and I have fond memories of adopting my first guinea pig and loving her for 9 long years. Now, loving them as I do I'm getting to the point where I realise id really just love a pair for myself, I don't think I can wait 5 years for Alice to join me though we will still do that one day! I was thinking of rescuing two females but I have no idea what hutch is best. I'm thinking 5ft long, 3ft depth (do they do hutches that deep) and access to a run that I can attach and unattach, so maybe single storey? I want decent quality wood so not expecting too cheap but the budget is probably £120. Is that reasonable? The hutch would go in the garage in winter. I'm just forming the idea in my head right now, not necessarily running out and buying everything but I would like your suggestions on hutches or hutch companies you recommend both on price, hutch space and quality. It would be for two females. I'm not 100% yet I'm going ahead. I'd love a pair and have the time for them but it all really depends on practicalities and whether my husband will go for it too! I'm definitely wanting to rescue unwanted piggies, that's part of the joy of it, giving piggies a second start in life.

 

[LisaAli]

Hi to the forum.

As you are from the UK we have a rescue locator on the main menu which will direct you to your nearest reputable rescue. If you could possibly add your location to your profile this will allow fellow members to give you area/country specific advice to any questions you may have. This can be done by clicking on your username, then personal details, then add location......

One of our members who builds hutches is on this forum @The Hutch Man and may be able to build you a hutch specific to your requirements.

Enjoy the forum and welcome to the mad friendly piggy place

Lisa & Ali..

 

[Maisy and Poppy]

Hi JoyfulGiggles,
The RSPCA recommend that 2 guinea pigs have a hutch at least 120 cm long. My 2 piggies Maisy and Poppy (like my username) live outdoors in a hutch 145 cm long.There hutch is the pets@home bluebell one but they only use the bottom. Even with my hutch I still find that there is hardly any room left for my guinea pigs once I have put 2 hidey holes, a small tube and food and water bowl in the hutch! The hutch mans hutches look fab! This clip on you tube helped me:

I recommend his hutch which can also be bought with a run and hutch cover and will suit up to 4 guinea pigs: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4FT-LARGE...pplies_Small_Animals&var=&hash=item3ccb796026
To keep my piggies warm in winter I have a scratch and newton hutch hugger but the one on the link looks so much better! I also have a snugglesafe heat pad, we are getting some house insulation and will move the piggies to our shed soon. I have also covered the wire mesh doors with bubble wrap.
I hope this is useful!