Questions about a possible outdoor set up

[sophieandhoney]

I am fencing off a section of the garden for the piggies and ideally would like them to be outside in a hutch(in the shade) from about June till September - depending on the weather of course. They would have run attached (on grass) access all day and free range when I am there. They currently live in a 120 and a 140 indoors. kinda stinky to be honest!

There will be four rose bushes and two primulas in there.

I want to plant guinea pig safe plants- so are these safe?

sunflowers
stock
cornflower
sweet william
cornflower.
honeysuckle

they will be in one bed, in the other bed I will grow lettuce round the bottom of the roses for them to eat.

In big pots I am going to have carrots, tomatoes (should they go elsewhere?) Strawberries, Aubergines


The fence is four foot high and will have gate access.

so questions

What size hutch for 5 piggies?

Are the plants ok?

Any tips for securing the hutch at night (foxes are a big problem)

Would it be possible to have them out during the day and bring in them at night?

thank you

 

[KaitRoo]

Here's a link that'll explain safe and unsafe garden flowers and plants, if is not listed on here I'd be very cautious with introducing it to your guineas. Some pigs have a good instinct and won't touch what's not safe for them, however there's always the odd one or two who like to experiment http://www.britishcavycouncil.org.uk/Novice/Husbandry/nov-feeding.shtml

Is the enclosed area going to have a roof? I would recommend that it has some sort of protection from cats and birds of prey(sparrowhawk in particular).

If it is only for the summer season that they will be in the outdoor area and they are going to have access to the run so they can come and go at all times, I wouldn't say the size of the hutch is that much of a concern. Maybe provide them with a few hidey/covered areas in the run that they and go to if they want to take themselves off from the others for a bit.