Rat Proof Hutch

[AliD1970]

Hi I have inherited 2 gorgeous little piggies from neighbours and where they used to be housed I found a rat inside their cage nibbling away at their food who scappered as soon as he saw me, I know they can get through tiny gaps but this was ridiculous! Fortunately piggies were fine, but I put smaller wire on their cage. Anyway since my gps have had a dose of lice which I suspect must have come from the rat so I have moved them completely away closer to the house, where my cats frequently patrol and they are out in a run during the day and in an indoor hutch at night. I would like to house them again in an outdoor hutch but am struggling to find one suitable. The outdoor hutches that do not have bases aren't really suitable as am sure the wood will perish quickly and what happens when the gps have eaten all the grass aside from moving around the lawn which I'm sure isn't beneficial to the hutch over time and the ones with bases the fox proof wire is too wide. I know I could attach more wire netting but is this my only choice? Any suggestions or recommendations appreciated. Thank you & sorry for such an essay,

 

[Veggies Galore]

Welcome to the forum.

When I first got guinea pigs, I had them in a 2 tier hutch on the lawn .

I soon changed my mind - for several reasons .

Firstly , as you have said yourself, the grass goes quickly.

I also didn't feel they were safe from predators in this type of hutch.

I do not have the luxury of being able to keep my guinea pigs indoors . I keep mine in a hutch in a shed.

If I had to keep my guinea pigs outdoors, I'd keep them in a hutch on legs . I use a seperate run for their grass time.

Where are you based? We have members all aver the world and it is useful to know whether you are basd in the UK/US or elsewhere.

 

[Cavy_lover]

For quality Hutches there's:
Welfare Hutches - really good quality - thick wood, good small holed mesh. This company also do a connector kit which can connect hutch to a run using fox proof flexible pipe and connection.
Happy Hutch, - wood slightly thinner than welfare Hutches
Ryedale - extremely expensive but really good quality - seriously thick wood.
Boyle's - like Ryedale seriously expensive but also seriously thick wood (he only makes big Hutches though)

Those are the brands known for quality hutches on the rabbits united forum. I have a Welfare Hutches one and would definitely recommend it.

When looking at different ones keep in mind quality wood and UK produced ones never use metal bars only the mesh.

Watch out for really thin backs (the ones above use the same wood on back of hutch as the sides), as they are colder and more easily chewed through by rats.

Longer legs are better (warmer, dryer, etc)

Big heavy duty bolts not twist clips - preferably two bolts per door.

 

[AliD1970]

Thank you for your responses. I'm in Jersey, Channel Islands so unfortunately shipping can be a bit of a nightmare as so many places don't ship to Jersey and when they do it's as much as the hutch. I'll have a look at the those suggested above, thank you