Hi all, we’ve just bought 2 guinea pigs with a 2 level hutch that has a run at the bottom. We have been keeping it on the grass but have seen advice that slabs would be better. We can do either in our garden. I don’t want to have to keep moving it around to let the grass grow back but they’ve munched most already! Not sure what’s best, any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Where to keep the hutch/run
- Thread starter IanG
- Start date
Siikibam
Forum Donator 2022/23
I would keep it somewhere solid such as a patio or similar, and get a separate run for grass time. How big is the indoor area, as they tend to be a little smaller with hutches that have an attached run underneath
LMPigs
Junior Guinea Pig
hello!
Yes, you are right that if you keep it in the same place they will just eat all the grass underneath and then it risks getting muddy.
We had a set up like yours for a while and we ended up putting a small bit of astroturf in the bottom - this works quite well because all the wee runs through the astro so the guineas are not walking in puddles (and you can just rake any poop, bits of random hay etc of the top). Alternatively, if you have a patio that could be a good place to site your set up.
You might find some of the sticky notes in this area of the forum helpful if you've not already had a look: Housing, Enrichment and Seasonal care
There is a whole thread with pictures of members' hutches, as well as specific guides for keeping pigs warm enough/cool enough if they are living outdoors.
Yes, you are right that if you keep it in the same place they will just eat all the grass underneath and then it risks getting muddy.
We had a set up like yours for a while and we ended up putting a small bit of astroturf in the bottom - this works quite well because all the wee runs through the astro so the guineas are not walking in puddles (and you can just rake any poop, bits of random hay etc of the top). Alternatively, if you have a patio that could be a good place to site your set up.
You might find some of the sticky notes in this area of the forum helpful if you've not already had a look: Housing, Enrichment and Seasonal care
There is a whole thread with pictures of members' hutches, as well as specific guides for keeping pigs warm enough/cool enough if they are living outdoors.