Really struggling with choosing a hutch.

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Tartanblanket

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Hello, and thanks in advance for any help you can give 😊

We have decided to replace our outside hutch in time for the warmer months. We have two adult sows- one of which, a teddy, is quite large.

Their current outside hutch is now not really worth repairing. It's a single storey 5ft hutch and they have a separate run for the grass (they are inside at the moment). The old hutch is quite spacious for them although they don't tend to be particularly lively - much prefer laying about and eating...

I am confused by the number of hutches on the market and what I should be prioritising. My considerations so far are these-

1) I quite like the idea of having a hinged lid- the current hutch is wide and deep and i struggle with picking up the guineas as they retreat into the space at the back. My back isn't great for this either. I like the idea of being able to open the top.
2) Two-storey/ramps- I'm not sure about this. I've read very mixed opinions. I am not sure how much space is being gained by the time you factor in the space the ramp opening takes up. I do know some pigs can be reluctant to use ramps but also that there are ways to encourage them- carpeting/tunnels etc.
3) Durability- unfortunately we don't have a shed or outbuilding in which to put the hutch so I would be relying on making or buying a cover and looking for a hutch that was fairly solid.
4) Size is obviously important- what would be the best size for two sows in both a single storey and double storey?
5) I don't want a bottom storey/run that sits flat to the ground- it would need it's own floor.
6) Budget - probably up to around £180

One I have come across is: Ranch Rabbit Hutch
Obviously marketed at rabbits, but wondered if anyone had any thoughts on it?

Thank you 😊
 
Tartanblanket said:
Hello, and thanks in advance for any help you can give 😊

We have decided to replace our outside hutch in time for the warmer months. We have two adult sows- one of which, a teddy, is quite large.

Their current outside hutch is now not really worth repairing. It's a single storey 5ft hutch and they have a separate run for the grass (they are inside at the moment). The old hutch is quite spacious for them although they don't tend to be particularly lively - much prefer laying about and eating...

I am confused by the number of hutches on the market and what I should be prioritising. My considerations so far are these-

1) I quite like the idea of having a hinged lid- the current hutch is wide and deep and i struggle with picking up the guineas as they retreat into the space at the back. My back isn't great for this either. I like the idea of being able to open the top.
2) Two-storey/ramps- I'm not sure about this. I've read very mixed opinions. I am not sure how much space is being gained by the time you factor in the space the ramp opening takes up. I do know some pigs can be reluctant to use ramps but also that there are ways to encourage them- carpeting/tunnels etc.
3) Durability- unfortunately we don't have a shed or outbuilding in which to put the hutch so I would be relying on making or buying a cover and looking for a hutch that was fairly solid.
4) Size is obviously important- what would be the best size for two sows in both a single storey and double storey?
5) I don't want a bottom storey/run that sits flat to the ground- it would need it's own floor.
6) Budget - probably up to around £180

One I have come across is: Ranch Rabbit Hutch
Obviously marketed at rabbits, but wondered if anyone had any thoughts on it?

Thank you 😊
Click to expand...
I was in a similar situation. Current hutch is outside (with a cover) and was from Pets at Home. It's a 5ft Bluebell hutch, double storey, about 4 years old. There are a lot of hutches out there to choose from, and it's difficult to know what your money is buying until you actually see the hutch for real. I've ordered a 6ft Chartwell double from Home and Roost. Fingers crossed it's a more solid build. It's £210 which is twice what I paid for my Pets at Home hutch. Let me know how you get on in your search 🤔
 
Thanks for the reply- much appreciated.

I presume you've not found the Bluebell to be that great despite the cover?

I hope the Chartwell works out for you 😊
 
Tartanblanket said:
Thanks for the reply- much appreciated.

I presume you've not found the Bluebell to be that great despite the cover?

I hope the Chartwell works out for you 😊
Click to expand...
The Bluebell was fine at the time. The price was good for what I could afford at the time. The space isn't bad. My piggies are happy. I had to put some extra 'steps' on the ramp because they are set quite far apart for a guinea pig. And I put vinyl on the floors. The cover has been on it since day 1, it's a bit ragged now on the front solid part from where the velcro straps have pulled away from the lift up front cover. I was looking to buy a replacement cover but they are out of stock, and I thought well instead of £50 on a cover, upgrade the whole hutch too. I do have mad thoughts at times! 😂 😂. The bottom floor at the back has started to dip a bit now, sawdust falls out through the gap, piles up, gets wet, then that damp sawdust is against the back of the hutch. It's lived its life now, I feel. £100 or so for the hutch and 4 years of life isn't bad. I feel I've had my money's worth. But it's not letting the rain in, the piggies are fine and happy. With the Chartwell you can get an insulated cover as well as a waterproof one and that's attractive to me. Just hope it's all I want it to be. I've seen much cheaper hutches for sale, and equally much more expensive ones too! 🤷🏻‍♀️
 
Thank you- I've just been looking at Chartwells and they do look very good. I need to have a think as one of my concerns is being able to pick up the guineas safely and fairly easily and I assumed a hinged lid would be good for this. I have had a couple of hairy moments when trying to clean out/pick up from our current hutch when one of the girls has tried to leap past me. They are generally very sedate until it's time to pick them up.
 
I have a 6ft chartwell and I would always go for the largest you can afford and have space for as that will negate floor space loss due to the ramp. Mines a 2 storey and I feed them in the top. I close off the ramp at times (at present it's permanently closed due to being heavily pregnant and unable to reach in the bottom to clean out properly) and then getting in to handle the piggies is made much easier. I have thought about my next hutch potentially being a bespoke build so it's one storey but at the same sort of height as them being in the top of the two storey. I have found that my more nervous piggies have gained more confidence from being at that height when I pop out to talk to them too.
 
Tartanblanket said:
Thank you- I've just been looking at Chartwells and they do look very good. I need to have a think as one of my concerns is being able to pick up the guineas safely and fairly easily and I assumed a hinged lid would be good for this. I have had a couple of hairy moments when trying to clean out/pick up from our current hutch when one of the girls has tried to leap past me. They are generally very sedate until it's time to pick them up.
Click to expand...
I know that feeling! Mine sometimes shout "help, help, she's trying to kidnap me!" during pick up time 😂😂. A double storey made it easier to pick up because it's a better height, and the height of the floors is very good to be able to get to them. They can get panicky when you 'dive in' from above to pick them up because they are prey animals so anything looming over them can make them wary. Nightmares of birds swooping down on them, from their native history 😳
 
Thank you again - hadn't thought of it that way. I do know I struggle with the single storey. Do you have a good technique for trying to pick up?
 
Tartanblanket said:
Thank you again - hadn't thought of it that way. I do know I struggle with the single storey. Do you have a good technique for trying to pick up?
Click to expand...
Apart from cornering them, no. I have cornered them, stroked them, before attempting a pick up, but sometimes they still know what's coming and squeak anyway. I always try and be as near to their height as I can when I pick up. Once they're in my arms and I hold them close they are fine. It's the initial pick up that worries them. Silly girls 🙄
 
Lady Kelly said:
I have a 6ft chartwell and I would always go for the largest you can afford and have space for as that will negate floor space loss due to the ramp. Mines a 2 storey and I feed them in the top. I close off the ramp at times (at present it's permanently closed due to being heavily pregnant and unable to reach in the bottom to clean out properly) and then getting in to handle the piggies is made much easier. I have thought about my next hutch potentially being a bespoke build so it's one storey but at the same sort of height as them being in the top of the two storey. I have found that my more nervous piggies have gained more confidence from being at that height when I pop out to talk to them too.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I also hadn't thought of the two storey helping with the pigs confidence :) That's also something to bear in mind.
 
Lady Kelly said:
I have a 6ft chartwell and I would always go for the largest you can afford and have space for as that will negate floor space loss due to the ramp. Mines a 2 storey and I feed them in the top. I close off the ramp at times (at present it's permanently closed due to being heavily pregnant and unable to reach in the bottom to clean out properly) and then getting in to handle the piggies is made much easier. I have thought about my next hutch potentially being a bespoke build so it's one storey but at the same sort of height as them being in the top of the two storey. I have found that my more nervous piggies have gained more confidence from being at that height when I pop out to talk to them too.
Click to expand...
When is your baby due?
 
I'm due 23rd March so literally just hit the 3rd trimester today
 
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