Using C and C panels for an outdoor run

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Donna3939

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Hi everyone, I will be keeping my guinea pigs (when I get them) in our unused garage - I'm bust attempting to convince my hubby to have the garage door removed and putting a double-glazed window and door in (he's not happy about the suggestion though!) but I was just wondering if you could you use C and C panels for an outdoor run for the guinea pigs for when I let them out on grass. My thinking being that I could connect the panels with zip ties on three sides then use bulldog clips for the fourth meaning I can fold up the panels for easy storage. The run will have a cover which will also be attached by bulldog clips, meaning I can access the piggies easily.

Is a panel run suitable for the outdoors? Obviously they will only be outside in good weather and then it will be for a few hours. I plan on using a blanket pegged to one end for shelter from the sun.

Your thoughts please (thank you)...

Donna. x
 
I am worried that rats and small animals can get through. You will also need a firm top to keep off any cats that might drop by and that C&C grids are not strong enough to keep out any determined beasts.
 
My main concern would be other things getting in. We had an unfortunate incident when I was a child where a ferret got through a chicken wire run and killed a guinea pig. I guess it depends on your garden a bit.
I'd also want to make sure it was weighted down ok. Maybe something on top or some tent pegs into the ground.
 
Thanks for your replies. I was planning on using tent pegs to keep the run anchored. Our garden very rarely has any visitors, except squirrels which occassionally run along the back fence however we do have woods across the road so I guess the panel run wouldn't be suitable just "in case" any animal did decide to make a visit.

Thanks once again. I think you've just saved me (and my future piggies) from making a big mistake.

Donna. x
 
I think if you were there sunbathing with them ( when the weather is right :) ) then it is fine, but yes, not if you plan to leave them alone in the garden. xx
 
I did make a temporary run for my piggies out of C+C panels. I just used it when I was sunbathing or very close by in the garden and never left them unattended: even to go to the loo. The big problem was that piggies eat grass so quickly and if you have a number of piggies you need to move the run around quite a lot. This was not practical and on one occasion the run simply collapsed and I had to catch up the piggies very quickly!

Luckily, they were all timid girls and just stayed where they were but if anyone had wanted to make a break for it, this would have been the perfect opportunity!

My Dad made me a very, very substantial run for the piggies to have in the garden and I use that now. There is no chance of anything getting in or out of it and it is so heavy that you can hardly lift it, so Mr Fox will not be turning it over in a hurry! We only ever put them out when we are in the garden anyway...

Do you live near a Home and Bargain? If so, they have a small run for sale at the moment for about £20.
 
Yeah there is one near me but on a practical level it'd be better if I had a run which I could put away at the end of the day...

I have seen a website where you can buy a sturdy wooden run which also happens to be collapsible. It tends to work out more expensive than their fixed run but our garden isn't that big and I wouldn't want the run to be a permanent fixture in our garden when its empty.

I don't mind having to take the run away and put it back daily. If it was out all day and night then I've a feeling my doggies may pee on it once or twice! And that wouldn't be very nice for the piggies would it, if their run smelt of dog wee! x
 
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