Which Hutch?

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After thinking my original guinea pig hutch is too small for my pigs, I have decided to invest in a new bigger one for them. I am torn between these two from pets @ home:

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/p...tdoor-guinea-pig/bluebell-hideaway-(in-store)

or

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/p...ndelion-den-hutch-for-rabbits-and-guinea-pigs

I have read quite a lot about two tiered hutches not being good for guinea pigs so this puts me off the two tier a bit but I thought I'd just ask other people's opinions? Also, do you know if there are any runs which I could attach onto the smaller one if I wanted to?

Thanks in advance!
 
If I was getting one, I'd get the 2-tier hutch as there's nearly double the floor area. Regarding the ramp,all you need to do is put wood up one or both sides if necessary & it may need something on it to give it a bit of grip. Carpet tiles cut to size are ideal for this.
 
That's what I'm thinking as well. At first I was sold on getting the smaller one but when I read that the ramp can be tunnelled in and made softer for them to walk in I started to change my mind! The hutch they have just now is two tier but not even 4ft long - I'm quite mad at the shop for selling me this for two guinea pigs as now that I've read up about it it's really not big enough so I'm desperate to move them into a larger home. Thanks for the advice!
 
Hi there
Just a warning in the Bluebell hideaway ;) I am currently re-building one that was given to me by a friend, it was purchased last year and her rabbit has chewed large parts of it away! And also the floor collapsed with the bunny in it! I have put in new floors and am making it into a stacked hutch for two pairs. I'm also patching the sides where the bunny chewed the holes. Apparently it leaked really badly too, so you need the waterproof cover for it. I'm planning that mine will live in the shed, but it will be practically a completely new hutch by the time I have finished re-building it. And I would not bother trying to salvage it if I did not have loads of wood and bits lying around, or it would not be cost effective.

x
 
The dandelion den is a better quality hutch with enough space for 3 pigs id go for that one personally over the bluebell. My dandelion was 5 years old and only started leaking in its 5th year. However, if you get a local joiner to make one you'd get a better quallity still hutch for less money.
 
If I was to go for the Dandelion Den instead of the Bluebell Hideaway do you know whether or not there are any runs which would attach to this?

I'm feeling confused now, think I may need to go into the pet shop for another look at them both. The Dandelion Den does actually look a lot sturdier I just wish it had more space for them.
 
Building a run is really easy so you could make one to fit to each of them :-)
 
Just been to look at both again and the dandelion definitely looks better quality than the bluebell and easier to clean as plastic floor which pulls out. Hmmm now just to figure out how to make an adjoining run? Any clues?
 
All you need to make a run are long bits of wood, a saw, a hammer some U shaped nails and appropriately sized mesh and wire cutters :)
 
I want to get my boys a two tier as they have a two tier cage and use the ramp no problem.
so I'm researching different hutches now.
I feel my hutch is too small compared to their cage
 
Bekki said:
The dandelion den is a better quality hutch with enough space for 3 pigs id go for that one personally over the bluebell. My dandelion was 5 years old and only started leaking in its 5th year. However, if you get a local joiner to make one you'd get a better quallity still hutch for less money.
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I've thought about trying to find someone to build my hutch but don't know Wether that would be more expensive
 
To make a run there is a guy on eBay that sells wire panels.You choose the sizes and you would just need to screw and hinge them.I think he is pretty cheap
 
the boys said:
I've thought about trying to find someone to build my hutch but don't know Wether that would be more expensive
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It depends on the joiner tbh, for me a 4x2ft full solid wood t&g hutch (even roof and floor are t&g) from the joiner is £40 it will last years and years no questions asked the same size made from ply in pets at home is £55 and it wont last one summer nevermind a winter (the poppy den)
 
Ahh. I'm renovating a Poppy Den that was given to me by a work colleague as well! I have had to give it a new floor and a new roof. And re-inforce the walls and seal the gaps. Its very shoddy, I would have been annoyed to pay for it.
But as a freebie its very welcome :)

Anyone know a friendly Joiner in Nottinghamshire?!
 
Goth Mummy said:
Ahh. I'm renovating a Poppy Den that was given to me by a work colleague as well! I have had to give it a new floor and a new roof. And re-inforce the walls and seal the gaps. Its very shoddy, I would have been annoyed to pay for it.
But as a freebie its very welcome :)

Anyone know a friendly Joiner in Nottinghamshire?!
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And they sell pairs of rabbits with that! The floor just cant take the weight of two adult buns at all . Winds me up that they sell something so poor! So many rabbits end up in the rescue because the owners cannot afford a new hutch!All hutches sold should last a good chunk of the animals life IMHO.
 
@Bekki that's what happened to the bun that chewed through the Bluebell Hideaway. He had to be rehomed as the original owners could not afford to buy a new set up for him :( Its really awful isn't it and you are right, it is contributing to the plight of rabbits in rescues :( . I agree, I would think that a hutch for a guinea pig should last for its' life time, and a hutch for a rabbit should last for at least half its life time!

Good to know the Dandelion Den is a good hutch. I have seen some secondhand that don't look too bad, and have thought about buying them to do up.
 
They'll need a new roof its just felted ply but the back/sides are alright light t&g type and the floor is plastic with a wooden frame, personally id brace it somemore to fix it in place and then itd be solid
 
Wow whose your joiner? Where do you go about trying to find them. Internet. Yellow pages?
Bekki said:
It depends on the joiner tbh, for me a 4x2ft full solid wood t&g hutch (even roof and floor are t&g) from the joiner is £40 it will last years and years no questions asked the same size made from ply in pets at home is £55 and it wont last one summer nevermind a winter (the poppy den)
Click to expand...
 
You should be able to find somebody who makes sheds in your area, they typically make hutches and kennels too :-) that was only one example of a local joiner there are several of them all around the same price. I found several via the internet, actually through ebay then I liked their facebooks.
 
Your replies have been really helpful, think I'm decided on the dandelion den with a run to attach - is it possible to have a run which can attach on? The reason I ask is that the pigs hate foor time (at the moment I set up the indoor un for them) but they hide the whole time so I would rather they have the choice to go back into their hutch when they want to.
 
The boys are now living in their new Dandelion Den :)

Feel so much happier now that they have more space to run around in. The old hutch didn't fit anything in the large side other than their bowls and a pile of hay in the corner but this one has a litter tray in the corner, a large cardboard hideout and their bowls and still has plenty of room for chasing each other around :) Bedding area is also a good size too!

Still looking for tips for a run to attach, thanks
 
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