A bit of planning ahead, help welcomed.

Tommywing5b7

Tommywing5b7

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Hello everyone.

This is my first post so forgive me if I'm going over old ground. I just wanted some feedback on my plans to get guinea pigs for my daughter in the spring.

I've had a look at the excellent threads for new owners and I wanted to thank you for your input there as there's some great info.

This is my plan broadly.

An outside hutch
https://www.amazon.co.uk/FeelGoodUK...61&imprToken=qLg40u4dyBN6klzaWtwawA&slotNum=1

Its not possible for me to have them inside but I've read and understood the info on keeping them warm etc will get microwavable pads for the winter plus that hutch comes with a cover, and I'll probably add some extra insulation ahead of the winter. Question is does anyone have that hutch? Any suggestions for a better one? I had a look around and although the bluebell one from P@H looked good value it seemed a bit flimsy.

Secondly I have read a lot of conflicting advice about bedding. Lots of people say wood shavings are not great, even dangerous,
but people seem to use them all the time. I was thinking newspaper/megazorb/hay in a rack and straw plus a fleece hidey to sleep in. Does that sound good?

Lastly where I'm planning to put the hutch is in area which I can completely block off with trellis to keep foxes out. Plan was to build a mini "farm" for the children. So have a gate and everything to keep the cats and foxes out. The space is perfect for it and I'm confident it would work. I'd appreciate any tips from people as far as foxproofing is concerned (the locks look good on that hutch imo) I'm based in Hove on the south coast and there are definitely some around here.

Anyway tl;Dr

1. Does that hutch look good?
2. Best bedding setup?
3. Fox tips?

Thanks for reading and I appreciate any help you can offer.

Tom
 
It's the wall on the right hand side of that image where I plan to put the hutch.
 

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Hi!
Straw is a bad idea. It's really not soft enough and can cause them major eye injuries...even hay can do that, and straw's much coarser than hay. I used to use Megazorb, but I have no experience of keeping guinea pigs outside so I don't know how well it would hold up, sorry.

Edit: also, word of warning about Megazorb - it has a smell to it that can take some getting used to. It's not a "bad" smell, but it is both unexpected and very strong.
 
Ok thanks for the tip. So for the bedding for their sleep area, what would you recommend? The hay will go in a rack that's for eating.
 
You may find you end up with more hay on the floor of the hutch than you do in a rack - because if that's where they want their hay, that's where they'll have it. As for bedding, I'm not sure but @Betsy and @Mother Hubbard both keep their piggies outside and would probably know better than I would.
 
Hi and welcome. Great you are doing your research.

1. The hutch - er my advice is stay away from that one, it's too small, go for a better quality like a Chartwell. If you have a real issue with foxes, you can beef up the mesh with stronger stuff bought from a DIY store or hardware store.
2. Straw dust/wood shavings - definite no no.
3. Don't forget you will need somewhere to store the bedding, feed and hay. If you have a fox problem, remember you will need to sweep up very well to avoid attracting wildlife towards them as they will be outside.
Remember to consider if that area is a heat trap too.
4. Do consider what happens to them when you go on holiday and after the kids have got bored with them - usually around 1 year after they are introduced to the family. Sadly we hear this all too often, it's just the way things are and kids aren't taught or understand how long they can live. They don't have a hamster lifeline.
5. Boxes with hay is good or fleece beds too are great. They like both eat and sleep in Hay.

Remember to register your guinea pigs at a suitable vet (cavy savy - exotic) ones.

Good luck.
 
Lorcan said:
You may find you end up with more hay on the floor of the hutch than you do in a rack - because if that's where they want their hay, that's where they'll have it. As for bedding, I'm not sure but @Betsy and @Mother Hubbard both keep their piggies outside and would probably know better than I would.
Click to expand...

Yep, all 8 of mine are outdoors. I have 2 double chartwell hutches with a hutch hugger and cover and additional insulation, plus mine are heated using an external electrical socket. Mine are bedded on Aubiose an equine bedding, I have fleece beds too.
 
I have my piggies in puppy pads and hay. The hutch (Chartwell 6' double) has an insulating cover bad well as a waterproof thermal one all from Scratch and Newton. They are on puppy pads and hay and have various fleecy tunnels and snugglesacks to keep them warm as well as snugglesafes.
 
Ok got it will get a chartwell hutch. And no Straw, understood. Lastly we don't go on holiday very often and even if we do we have animal loving neighbors and friends. As regards boredom from the kids, they're just as much for me as the children 🤣. I love animals! 🥰 Never heard of aubiose. Will look into it. Thanks for the replies!
 
I have the chartwell 6 ft two storey hutch for my group too. What I would say is the more space you can give them the better especially if they won't have access to a run (going on grass or direct on patio slabs during colder months will be too much for them). It's worth paying extra for a better hutch now than buying one and finding out later that you need to shell out for a new one. I've had my chartwell for 3-4 years already and it's still going strong.

Wood shavings can be ok but you need dust free ones as it's the dust that tends to irritate the airways etc. There are a lot of other alternatives though, I use aubiose which is a hemp bedding for horses. It comes in 20kg packs for around £11 a pack. I tend to buy 3 lots which lasts me around 6 months and I have 4 piggies. I also use hay for bedding not just feeding. This is the best insulator you can get for the piggies to protect them during colder weather. I buy a bale for around £6 from a local plant nursery and use it for food and bedding. Their bedding areas get filled to the top with hay in winter so they can burrow in to keep warm.

I also use the chartwell weatherproof hutch cover and the insulating layer and I have two snugglesafes which are used overnight (and during the day on colder days).
 
Lady Kelly said:
I have the chartwell 6 ft two storey hutch for my group too. What I would say is the more space you can give them the better especially if they won't have access to a run (going on grass or direct on patio slabs during colder months will be too much for them). It's worth paying extra for a better hutch now than buying one and finding out later that you need to shell out for a new one. I've had my chartwell for 3-4 years already and it's still going strong.

Wood shavings can be ok but you need dust free ones as it's the dust that tends to irritate the airways etc. There are a lot of other alternatives though, I use aubiose which is a hemp bedding for horses. It comes in 20kg packs for around £11 a pack. I tend to buy 3 lots which lasts me around 6 months and I have 4 piggies. I also use hay for bedding not just feeding. This is the best insulator you can get for the piggies to protect them during colder weather. I buy a bale for around £6 from a local plant nursery and use it for food and bedding. Their bedding areas get filled to the top with hay in winter so they can burrow in to keep warm.

I also use the chartwell weatherproof hutch cover and the insulating layer and I have two snugglesafes which are used overnight (and during the day on colder days).
Click to expand...


Thanks, will do. I'm going to build them various bits to run on that isn't directly on the patio. Plus my kids will want to bring them inside for a run in the hall (which is easy to close off to the rest of the house and has wipe clean floor etc). This is all great info thank you.
 
It's not a good idea to bring them into a warm house when it's so cold outside as the change in temperature isn't good for them. If you do make sure that your hall has no central heating on and you only bring them inside for a small amount of time.
 
Last edited:
I know nothing about keeping piggies outside - but I second the no-straw thing. Hay can be used as bedding and as a constant food source. But as you previously mentioned - have some kind of hay rack too so they always have access to hay that they haven’t pee’d on!

I had guinea’s years ago but sold all my stuff when they died. My nephew LOVED them - I don’t have kids, and my nephews aren’t allowed them (Dad hates animals :roll:). He begged me non-stop to get more. I kept saying no at first because I wasn’t ready for all that hard work and messing about when I go on holiday. However last year I decided that I really did want guineas again and decided to adopt some from a rescue. When I told my nephew he flung his arms around me and cried! He was overjoyed.

Fastforward 10 months..... he no longer runs into the house saying “Auntie can I hold a guinea pig?!” He strolls in and says “Auntie can I go on your IPad?”. He only comes round 1-2 times a week so I have to wonder how quickly the novilty would have warn off had they have lived with him! (He’s just turned 8). It doesn’t matter to me though. It was his nagging and begging that made me consider getting guinea pigs again, I admit I probably wouldn’t have got them if it hadn’t been for his pleading eyes. But I got them for my enjoyment too, and with the knowledge that they would be my long term pets whether he continued to be interested or not.

Please adopt from a rescue if you do! The rescue I went to is amazing. I knew I was getting a pair of guinea pigs that were healthy and were bonded successfully. I felt I was helping a worthwhile charity and know that I can contact them if I have any issues. When I go on holiday I even take them back there for holiday boarding!
 
Hello and welcome to the forum x
A good bale of meadow hay is what I get from local farm. It’s £4 and goes a long way for bedding and eating. I just put old newspaper down as a base then loads of hay. I store it in one of those plastic garden boxes, it fits really well in there. As much space as you can give cage wise. You can fill up there bedding area with lots of hay, I sometimes like to fill it to the roof and watch their delight when they venture in, it’s pure heaven for them. Most of all enjoy your piggies x
 
Great advice from our members who keep outdoor piggies. With outdoor piggies the bigger the hutch the better, so the Chartwell hutches are definitely a good investment.
Look forward to seeing photos of your piggies once you get them.
 
Tommywing5b7 said:
Hello everyone.

This is my first post so forgive me if I'm going over old ground. I just wanted some feedback on my plans to get guinea pigs for my daughter in the spring.

I've had a look at the excellent threads for new owners and I wanted to thank you for your input there as there's some great info.

This is my plan broadly.

An outside hutch
https://www.amazon.co.uk/FeelGoodUK...61&imprToken=qLg40u4dyBN6klzaWtwawA&slotNum=1

Its not possible for me to have them inside but I've read and understood the info on keeping them warm etc will get microwavable pads for the winter plus that hutch comes with a cover, and I'll probably add some extra insulation ahead of the winter. Question is does anyone have that hutch? Any suggestions for a better one? I had a look around and although the bluebell one from P@H looked good value it seemed a bit flimsy.

Secondly I have read a lot of conflicting advice about bedding. Lots of people say wood shavings are not great, even dangerous,
but people seem to use them all the time. I was thinking newspaper/megazorb/hay in a rack and straw plus a fleece hidey to sleep in. Does that sound good?


Lastly where I'm planning to put the hutch is in area which I can completely block off with trellis to keep foxes out. Plan was to build a mini "farm" for the children. So have a gate and everything to keep the cats and foxes out. The space is perfect for it and I'm confident it would work. I'd appreciate any tips from people as far as foxproofing is concerned (the locks look good on that hutch imo) I'm based in Hove on the south coast and there are definitely some around here.

Anyway tl;Dr

1. Does that hutch look good?
2. Best bedding setup?
3. Fox tips?

Thanks for reading and I appreciate any help you can offer.

Tom
Click to expand...

Hi!

Great that you are doing your research in advance!

I can't help you with hutch recommendations but I know that even the better p@h hutches are sub-standard with only a flimsy back. :(

It is good that you want to make the area fox and cat-proof, but don't overlook rats and mice; the latter can get through anything you can stick a pencil through! Rats will kill guinea pigs, mice in a hutch can literally scare piggies to death and both species can transmit illnesses.
Please do not leave your piggies out unattended and open to the sky (birds of prey).

A number of UK forum members are recommending using fitch, which is made from hemp as as bedding and is environmentally much more friendly. Please do not use straw; it is too rough for guinea pigs and the risk for eye injuries is too great. For burrowing in only ever use soft hay. There are several online places that provide good quality hay in bulk; other members can give you recommendations.

I would still recommend to make sure that you can bring your guinea pigs indoors on short notice during weather extremes and that they can have run time and human interaction there. We had lots of piggies dying from heat stroke last summer, even in the shade of a lawn (sun-heated air blown across); not just in their hutches, which are about 10 C hotter than the surrounding air. :(

If at all possible, adopt your guinea pigs from one of our recommended rescues. They are by far the safest place to get your piggies from without them potentially coming with some unpleasant surprises. Speak to the rescue before you buy any hutches and take their advice on board. Any requests come on the back of good and often bad experiences and are worth listening to.
 
Betsy said:
It's not a good idea to bring them into a warm house when it's so cold outside as the change in temperature isn't good for them. If you do make sure that your hall has no central heating on and you only bring them inside for a small amount of time.
Click to expand...

Oh ok I didn't know that.
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Great that you are doing your research in advance!

I can't help you with hutch recommendations but I know that even the better p@h hutches are sub-standard with only a flimsy back. :(

It is good that you want to make the area fox and cat-proof, but don't overlook rats and mice; the latter can get through anything you can stick a pencil through! Rats will kill guinea pigs, mice in a hutch can literally scare piggies to death and both species can transmit illnesses.
Please do not leave your piggies out unattended and open to the sky (birds of prey).

A number of UK forum members are recommending using fitch, which is made from hemp as as bedding and is environmentally much more friendly. Please do not use straw; it is too rough for guinea pigs and the risk for eye injuries is too great. For burrowing in only ever use soft hay. There are several online places that provide good quality hay in bulk; other members can give you recommendations.

I would still recommend to make sure that you can bring your guinea pigs indoors on short notice during weather extremes and that they can have run time and human interaction there. We had lots of piggies dying from heat stroke last summer, even in the shade of a lawn (sun-heated air blown across); not just in their hutches, which are about 10 C hotter than the surrounding air. :(

If at all possible, adopt your guinea pigs from one of our recommended rescues. They are by far the safest place to get your piggies from without them potentially coming with some unpleasant surprises. Speak to the rescue before you buy any hutches and take their advice on board. Any requests come on the back of good and often bad experiences and are worth listening to.
Click to expand...


Understood. I've seen some good temporary indoor runs on these forums so I'll get one of those.

The spot I picked out is the coolest area in the summer so it should be fine. But I'll do iced water bottles etc when needs be.

Thanks for the tips 😀
 
Tommywing5b7 said:
Oh ok I didn't know that.



Understood. I've seen some good temporary indoor runs on these forums so I'll get one of those.

The spot I picked out is the coolest area in the summer so it should be fine. But I'll do iced water bottles etc when needs be.

Thanks for the tips 😀
Click to expand...

You may need to do a lot more than iced water bottles in summer; our hot weather guide has a whole list of any tips that really work! ;)
 
I can echo Betsy. Mine have a huge run called the kitchen :)) however after autumn I don't bring them in because if the heat change. In autumn/early spring I turn off the radiator in there and leave the door/window open until it is almost the same temperature as outside before I leave them for a run
 
In the autumn/early spring when the grass is too soggy or the ground too cold for the piggies to go on I put them in the run on an old duvet.

Inpsired!.webp

This has 3 beneficial effects.
1. It keeps the piggies off the ground so that they don't get cold.
2. It gets the piggies out of the hutch and gives them a change of scenery and some stimulation being somewhere else.
3. It's easy to clean as I just fold the duvet up and shake the waste in the garden bin (:shh: don't tell my local Council).

The downside is I have to wash the duvet.
 
Welcome to the forum
It’s great that you are doing so much research before getting the piggies.
This bodes well for their future - sounds like some very lucky piggies in your future.
Mine are indoor piggies so I can’t add to the advice.
Glad the forum has been so much help so far
Looking forward to seeing pictures when you get your piggies.
 
Wiebke said:
I can't help you with hutch recommendations but I know that even the better p@h hutches are sub-standard with only a flimsy back. :(
Click to expand...
I had to replace my P@H hutch after 18 months cos the back was only MDF and started to rot. That's when I bought my Chartwell Hutch and with the covers it cost around £300. It is a lot better quality hutch than the (much) cheaper P@H one but it'll last for years. Even the bolts on the front and the wire mesh across the doors are far superior to the P@H one and I wish I had bought the Chartwell hutch in the first place.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Great that you are doing your research in advance!

I can't help you with hutch recommendations but I know that even the better p@h hutches are sub-standard with only a flimsy back. :(

It is good that you want to make the area fox and cat-proof, but don't overlook rats and mice; the latter can get through anything you can stick a pencil through! Rats will kill guinea pigs, mice in a hutch can literally scare piggies to death and both species can transmit illnesses.
Please do not leave your piggies out unattended and open to the sky (birds of prey).

A number of UK forum members are recommending using fitch, which is made from hemp as as bedding and is environmentally much more friendly. Please do not use straw; it is too rough for guinea pigs and the risk for eye injuries is too great. For burrowing in only ever use soft hay. There are several online places that provide good quality hay in bulk; other members can give you recommendations.

I would still recommend to make sure that you can bring your guinea pigs indoors on short notice during weather extremes and that they can have run time and human interaction there. We had lots of piggies dying from heat stroke last summer, even in the shade of a lawn (sun-heated air blown across); not just in their hutches, which are about 10 C hotter than the surrounding air. :(

If at all possible, adopt your guinea pigs from one of our recommended rescues. They are by far the safest place to get your piggies from without them potentially coming with some unpleasant surprises. Speak to the rescue before you buy any hutches and take their advice on board. Any requests come on the back of good and often bad experiences and are worth listening to.
Click to expand...

As much as I'd like to adopt some I don't have a car but
Betsy said:
I had to replace my P@H hutch after 18 months cos the back was only MDF and started to rot. That's when I bought my Chartwell Hutch and with the covers it cost around £300. It is a lot better quality hutch than the (much) cheaper P@H one but it'll last for years. Even the bolts on the front and the wire mesh across the doors are far superior to the P@H one and I wish I had bought the Chartwell hutch in the first place.
Click to expand...

Ah that's always annoying well I'll definitely get this one then

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00H4C19SY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_LmSvCbB8JWYGT

Plus the covers. £300 ish as you say but worth the investment I think.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Great that you are doing your research in advance!

I can't help you with hutch recommendations but I know that even the better p@h hutches are sub-standard with only a flimsy back. :(

It is good that you want to make the area fox and cat-proof, but don't overlook rats and mice; the latter can get through anything you can stick a pencil through! Rats will kill guinea pigs, mice in a hutch can literally scare piggies to death and both species can transmit illnesses.
Please do not leave your piggies out unattended and open to the sky (birds of prey).

A number of UK forum members are recommending using fitch, which is made from hemp as as bedding and is environmentally much more friendly. Please do not use straw; it is too rough for guinea pigs and the risk for eye injuries is too great. For burrowing in only ever use soft hay. There are several online places that provide good quality hay in bulk; other members can give you recommendations.

I would still recommend to make sure that you can bring your guinea pigs indoors on short notice during weather extremes and that they can have run time and human interaction there. We had lots of piggies dying from heat stroke last summer, even in the shade of a lawn (sun-heated air blown across); not just in their hutches, which are about 10 C hotter than the surrounding air. :(

If at all possible, adopt your guinea pigs from one of our recommended rescues. They are by far the safest place to get your piggies from without them potentially coming with some unpleasant surprises. Speak to the rescue before you buy any hutches and take their advice on board. Any requests come on the back of good and often bad experiences and are worth listening to.
Click to expand...


I meant to reply to this, we have two cats plus there are a lot living in the gardens. So I've not seen any evidence of any rats or mice round here. They'd have to be some special forces critters to survive all the cats about! 🤣
 
Merab's Slave said:
Welcome to the forum
It’s great that you are doing so much research before getting the piggies.
This bodes well for their future - sounds like some very lucky piggies in your future.
Mine are indoor piggies so I can’t add to the advice.
Glad the forum has been so much help so far
Looking forward to seeing pictures when you get your piggies.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Well I want them to be happy and healthy and I also want to minimise the risk of traumatising my children with a premature tragedy! I'll definitely post some pics of the setup before I get them too just to make sure I've not made any glaring errors 👍
 
Tommywing5b7 said:
As much as I'd like to adopt some I don't have a car but


Ah that's always annoying well I'll definitely get this one then

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00H4C19SY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_LmSvCbB8JWYGT

Plus the covers. £300 ish as you say but worth the investment I think.
Click to expand...
That's the one I bought the largest one (6ft double) as I have 5 piggies. When you get your hutch, put some old carpet on the ramp as it is a bit slippy and the carpet gives it better grip. Before you put it in place, put the ramp in the bottom of the hutch with your piggies and let them walk on it for a day or so that they scent mark it. Piggies will be much happier to use the ramp if they have scent marked it. Don't be suprised if they don't use it at first though they will in their own time.
 
Betsy said:
That's the one I bought the largest one (6ft double) as I have 5 piggies. When you get your hutch, put some old carpet on the ramp as it is a bit slippy and the carpet gives it better grip. Before you put it in place, put the ramp in the bottom of the hutch with your piggies and let them walk on it for a day or so that they scent mark it. Piggies will be much happier to use the ramp if they have scent marked it. Don't be suprised if they don't use it at first though they will in their own time.
Click to expand...

That is fantastic insight. Thank you! I'm so glad I asked for tips! 👍
 
I put carpet on the ramp in my hutch after 6 months as my piggies were reluctant to use it now they all just wander up and down quite a happily and don't have to brace themselves and go at a run to go up and at a slide to go down.:) I wish I had done it when the hutch was new.
 
Welcome!
Can't add much more to whats already been said
Make sure if you do use carpet on the ramp that it is secure and cant slide off but that shouldnt a problem
Have fun with the piggies : )
 
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