Tunnels - your help sought!

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deadhead02

I am fulfilling my dream of a pig palace they can live in summer and winter with access to a moveable outside run.

I will show the photos when finished! Its taking a long time to try and get it right.

I have a problem with how to connect shed to run. I want to get flexible ducting of some sort that I can fix to shed and run and take off if necessary to shut them in when its too cold to go out. I want them to access to the shed at all times as their boxes are in there at waist height to make cleaning easier for my crook back

I am worried they could fry in the tunnel as it may need to be quite long - possibly 20 feet to reach all the garden.

It sems you guys on here adore your pigs and may have sensible answers? I'd be so grateful if anyone could suggest something suitable. I have found all manner of ducting including insulated but am very worried - I definitely do not want to damage my precious piggies (all 13 of them!)

Once I have this right I will be building a second shed as mine do not all live together at the moment and I don't think they ever will as there are gangs!

Thanks for such a fantastic site with so many photos of everyones piggies! x)
 

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If I understand you correctly you want a tunnel that connects your piggy shed to the run even if it's on the other side of the garden?

Do you think your piggies will walk through a 20 foot tunnel? It's an awful long way... It will be hard to have control over what's going on in the tunnel and hard to clean out. Why not do a permanent run right outside divided in two so ou can close one off and let it regrow while they eat on the other one?
 
tunnel

They already have runs but with 13 pigs my entire garden is a desert this year and nothing is regrowing. I have a bad back so want them to access shed so hoped a tunnel would work - probs won't be 20 feet but yes, will be a long way - but I am sure they will soon learn that grass is at the end!

At the moment they have 2 runs that are about 10 x 6 with 5 in 1 and 8 in the other - I may rebuild them to be bigger which would also shorten the tunnels.

I will jet hose them clean so that will be ok - just worried that plastic could cook them and anything else may be eaten through.

Does no-one else keep theirs on grass as I do? At present they live in bunny hideaway boxes which has suited them well for years but the amount of bending I have to do to move the run is killing my back as each box is on 2 bricks to keep it dry plus they have wooden tunnels too - this is why I want the shed connected to run idea to work!

?/ ?/ ?/ ?/ ?/ ?/
 
I must admit that this a very long distance to bridge for the guinea pigs.

I know that my guinea pigs would not scramble that far without very strong enticement and something firm for their feet to hold onto. If you use pipes, I would strongly recommend introducing them as a toy in the runs and slowly making them longer once the shorter ones are accepted. That may take some time.

You will also have to find a way of making sure that they are not a conduct for mice or rats at night.

I do understand your dilemma - getting hold of nine guinea pigs and transferring them to and from the lawn from indoors is a major operation every time!
 
How about making a long wooden tunnel? You could have little windows and lift up roofs at regular intervals to make it accessible or even make it in a trellis like fashion so you can see them all the way long. Alternatively, if you dug out a square trench where you wanted to put it you could make the roof flush with the ground so no one would trip over it.

If you put a block on a long rope you could pull it along to either end to encourage any lingering piggies to move along.
 
I was reading a mag the other day and found the most awesome set up idea, it had a website and everything. I'll find the mag at work tomorrow and get back to you. I think its kinda just what kind of thing your looking for.

Sorry. I will find it and tell you.

x.
 
caviaporcellus said:
How about making a long wooden tunnel? You could have little windows and lift up roofs at regular intervals to make it accessible or even make it in a trellis like fashion so you can see them all the way long. Alternatively, if you dug out a square trench where you wanted to put it you could make the roof flush with the ground so no one would trip over it.

If you put a block on a long rope you could pull it along to either end to encourage any lingering piggies to move along.
Click to expand...

Brilliant idea but needs to be flexible so runs can be moved to maximise grass - my piggies have always lived on grass. They live out all summer then in the winter their runs are moved into the garage and they have readigrass instead. There would be no need to make them be in or out as they would have freedom to go indoors at will. The shed is coming along nicely with space blanket insulation and 2 stairs to high boxes. And enough boxes that if the boys do not want to share they have individual bedrooms.
I hope they would find their own way out in time. My daughter suggested perspex with holes but would be way too hot. I thought of ducting like tumble dryers have as is flexible and can be clipped onto shed and run and unclipped in winter when too cold to go out. Just worried about the heat in a summer like this. Could still have holes in it for ventilation and keep a close eye on chewing! They do have wire so hopefully escapes would not hapen often!
 
Wiebke said:
I must admit that this a very long distance to bridge for the guinea pigs.

I know that my guinea pigs would not scramble that far without very strong enticement and something firm for their feet to hold onto. If you use pipes, I would strongly recommend introducing them as a toy in the runs and slowly making them longer once the shorter ones are accepted. That may take some time.

You will also have to find a way of making sure that they are not a conduct for mice or rats at night.

I do understand your dilemma - getting hold of nine guinea pigs and transferring them to and from the lawn from indoors is a major operation every time!
Click to expand...

Rats and mice could only get in if they chewed their way in so I don't see that as a problem. I have never had them in my runs so far and kept my pigs out for the last 10 years or so. I am sure a few treats in the run would ensure they investigated and ended up outside - they are used to being out so would look for the grass I think. My piggies are very adventurous and use small tunnells already as they have them to escape rain and sun already
 
Abi_nurse said:
Damn you lol... thats the one i was looking for lol. Thanks for finding it, i really couldnt remember what it was called... :)

x.
Click to expand...

Thats it exactly! Thank you so much drool

Now I have new ideas - looks a fab idea to use the mesh runs - so easy to move daily and yet the pigs can run round and eat and keep out of each others way - love the canvas shelter idea too, I have old horse rugs I can cut up to do just that. And the tunnels are big so they can pass in either direction which was a concern too.

Think I will begin with the doors and flexi pipe and save for some of the extra mesh runs for next year.

What a brilliant site this forum is for all aspects of pig keeping :(|)
 
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