run size ?

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LucyJK

Ok so we saw the lovely Snowy today and resevered her x) we have to see her another couple of times (once with my husband too) and also be homechecked.

I'm sure the hutch is big enough (2ftx4ft) but I havn't got/made a run as yet. What are the minimum requirements for the homecheck, the rescue didnt seem to know (mainly used to dealing with cats and dogs I think) and told me to check the RSPCA's website but i cant find anything on there :(

I really dont want to fail the home check so any advice please !
 
As far as I know there is no standard size to a run, but I would think that that ideally it should be double the size of your hutch as a minimum; it depends on how big your lawn is and how big a run you can afford.

Make sure that it comes with a top cover and that part of it can be shaded (sheet of mdf will do).
 
Different rescues have different criteria, I know when I adopted from Wood Green they specified a 6' run.

Most of my runs are 5' x 2' or more with a weather-proof hidey hole

Sophie
x
 
The hutch size is fine for two piggies have you got a friend for Snowy?
if your hutch is a good size then i think the run size is your choice but the more room the better i would think xxxxxx
 
In my RSPCA Care for your guinea pig book this is what they say. 'an exercise area of around 1 sq m ( 3sq ft) for one piggy. 4 sq m (12 sq ft) for two or three piggies'. IDEALLY.

They do say a more compact pen with hidy holes, branches etc is just as valid.
 
she was the only one they had so all being well and us getting her, then we will let her settle and look for another female/castrated male
 
Cavy2009 said:
In my RSPCA Care for your guinea pig book this is what they say. 'an exercise area of around 1 sq m ( 3sq ft) for one piggy. 4 sq m (12 sq ft) for two or three piggies'. IDEALLY.

They do say a more compact pen with hidy holes, branches etc is just as valid.
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thanks will get building !
 
I also had to get a 6x4ft run when I adopted from Wood Green. Most store bought runs are 2x4ft or smaller, bar a few exceptions - so a custom built one would be ideal. Just go as big as you can! Do bear in mind that safety is more important than size, though.
 
We have a 6ft by 4ft one that's attached the hutch the foster pigs are in.

Hubby has just built a smaller 6ft by 3 feet folding one so the indoor pigs can get back out on the grass in the day. They have missed 2 days now. It doesn't have any hideys in it so that's his next task! I normally put upturned medium boxes in on dry days and soil pipes for the tunnels as they are waterproof and can be cleaned easily.

Good luck with your piggy. Your one piggy will be happy but you will see a different guinea pig once you get a friend for them. I couldn't get over the difference in my girl when I added a friend for her - it's like someone suddenly found the 'on' switch for her and she knew how to be a guinea pig. Before that she didn't know what to do - very strange.
 
I think a large enough run is probably essential if your piggies are only going to be let out outside, however if they are going to have a large indoor pen which will be used daily then a smaller outside pen will be fine. My gang don't run around outside they just sit and eat so size doesn't seem that important, however they have a large inside pen to play in daily!
 
Briony_Y said:
I think a large enough run is probably essential if your piggies are only going to be let out outside, however if they are going to have a large indoor pen which will be used daily then a smaller outside pen will be fine. My gang don't run around outside they just sit and eat so size doesn't seem that important, however they have a large inside pen to play in daily!
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Mine don't to much outside either once they have polished off their grass. Whereas in the run in the house they do alot more. i think mine are just used to and happier with indoor life. if they were outside pigs I bet the same would be true.

Our runs are a nice size but there are alot of them going in them at a time!
 
I'm collecting a hutch/run today that I got from freecycle. the hutch is 4ftx2ft and the run is 4ftx4ft. Hopefully that should be suitable, we have also found another local rescue that has a young sow for a companion. (we have a spare hutch so to introduce them slowly)

We are seeing Snowy today with my husband (as the whole family has to go on at least one visit) I cant wait, she is so beautiful x) Ive looked up the breed/colour and think shes a english smooth coated with himalayan colouring (she is white with chocolatey points)

just fingers crossed we pass the homecheck
 
collected the hutch and run. the hutch is actually a double story 4ftx2ft then the seperate run is 4ftx4ft, so should be fine, just need to clean it all out
 
Wishing you best of luck with your home check!
 
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