What do you recommend for a run?

[Betsy]

We are thinking of moving house and one of my stipulations is I have somewhere inside to house my piggies as I at the mo they live outside in a hutch. My OH would NEVER agree to them living in a house but he has said that some sort of outhouse like a large shed or a garage would be fine (obviously no car in garage). We are going to see our first house tonight that has a purpose built studio out back (PERFECT). I don't want to stop using the hutch as it is home for my piggies so was wondering what sort of run is recommended to be attached to the hutch. Obviously I would need to be able to clean it so it couldn't be permanently attached. How large would I need it to be for 5 gps? I am quite excited at the prospect of them being inside.

 

[PigglePuggle]

If its an indoor run and doesnt need a lid we love our BunnyBusiness playpens! They are kind of like 8 giant (2ft) metal C&C grids hinged together, you can make a 4ftx4ft square or a 6ftx2ft oblong with one, or clip 2 together to make anything up to an 8ftx8ft square that goes right round the hutch... they are very sturdy and fold flat when you need to move them!
We plan to use them as a 6ftx4ft playpen for the living room when all 5 piggies live together, at the moment the girls get a 4ftx4ft version with poor little Theo in a 2ftx4ft extension clipped on the side...

 

[Guineautopia]

By far my favourite set up for my boys is a their hutch but located inside a full height covered ‘run’. It has a felted roof and a side and back (gives protection) but the hutch is open so they can wonder about all day. The two boys are in a 8x5 foot run which would happily house 5 piggies. The hutch on view is only the summer hutch.
My girls live in a customised ‘shed’ located right outside my back door, I love this set up also.

 

[PigglePuggle]

I can post a pic later if you like after we take Clover's funny leg back to the vets... £25 each from Amazon!

 

[Betsy]

Thanks @PigglePuggle that doesn't sound too expensive. Could you post a link too? Then I can bookmark it.

 

[Betsy]

I can post a pic later if you like after we take Clover's funny leg back to the vets... £25 each from Amazon!

It sounds like you aren't taking Clover who is rather attached to her funny leg just the leg! Hope she gets on OK.

 

[Merab]

Where are you moving to?
This all sounds exciting

 

[VickiA]

@Veggies Galore has the runaround system - tagged for her input.

 

[Piggies&buns]

This is my set up for my two boys (apologies for the mess, not had chance to clean out yet this morning!)
It’s grids around their hutch in the summer house. Run space Measures 25sq ft (picture doesnt show it’s true extent). I’d happily let them have the whole shed but my kids apparently still want some space for their stuff in there....
They also have an outdoor run which they get moved in and out of in nicer days rather than having constant access to it.

 

[PigglePuggle]

This is our BunnyBusiness indoor playpen set up as a (temporarily divided!) 6ftx4ft so 24sqft? I had to take the pic from halfway up the stairs as it pretty much fills all the spare living room floor space!
And Clover is fine, just disabled. We saw a different vet today who agreed with the other vet and said we could get xrays if we wanted but that wouldnt really change the treatment or outcome, she's just got a bony lump from an old leg break in her back left knee joint...

 

[Betsy]

@Veggies Galore has the runaround system - tagged for her input.

Thanks @VickiA

 

[Betsy]

Where are you moving to?
This all sounds exciting

North Baddesley, Romsey way. We have had enough of aeroplanes (we live on the flight path for Eastleigh Airport), Motorway noise (we live near the M27) and a kennels over the road (neighbour has 5 dogs and sometimes it's just non-stop barking!) and we fancy a change we've lived on the same estate for over 30 years.

 

[Veggies Galore]

@Veggies Galore has the runaround system - tagged for her input.

I love the runaround system.... I know the set ups are a bit pricey - but they're very secure and I've had mine for years and it's still as good a new!
Runs, hutches, rabbit and guinea housing with freedom and flexibility




Here's a picture of Dexy and Sparkle chilling in their rest area during grass time ( grass time is SO tiring )

( Darling's bum in background)



And Dexy and Reuben having "man talk" at the chatting wall.

 

[Veggies Galore]

you can add extensions

 

[Betsy]

View attachment 93094
This is my set up for my two boys (apologies for the mess, not had chance to clean out yet this morning!)
It’s grids around their hutch in the summer house. Run space Measures 25sq ft (picture doesnt show it’s true extent). I’d happily let them have the whole shed but my kids apparently still want some space for their stuff in there....
They also have an outdoor run which they get moved in and out of in nicer days rather than having constant access to it.

That was more of the idea I had. I'm glad to see it works!

 

[Flutterby]

Exciting stuff Jacky! I would be wanting the perfect space for my piggies too if I was moving

 

[Betsy]

My OH told me off as when I spoke to the Estate Agent this morning and I was asked what I was looking for I only mentioned an outhouse of some sort and not space for a caravan! He says space for a caravan is the most important thing. To him maybe .......

 

[Flutterby]

If he wants space for a caravan then you have the right to demand space for the pigs lol!

 

[PigglePuggle]

Or a whole caravan filled with piggies... just a thought

 

[Kindness]

Runs are a lot easier on the grass on concrete attached to the hutch. I found indoor runs a huge pain. I used C&C grids to create a play pen indoors but it because so time consuming to clean out daily and took up so much space than I now put them out on the concrete. Mine also tend to exercise most in the early morning and late evening so a run was not benefiting them as much as a large cage.

 

[piggieminder]

I use C&C grids indoors as they are so versatile. I have sets of 5x2 cable tied together in a long strip and use bull dog clips to hold the 2 ends together, they concertina up into one square size and are so easy to pack away. I use fleece in the runs and just pick it up and shake the poop and hay over the veg patch. I know in an outhouse they would be more permanent but it would be useful and easy to move indoors if you had to for any reason. Trouble with mine is I have to keep buying more as I pinch the run ones to extend the cages!
Hope you like the house and everything goes smoothly for your move. I love the idea of a caravan full of piggies.

 

[Betsy]

My OH has been looking on line for about a year and this is the only one he has liked the look of! I think they all look fine.