Boarworld
Junior Guinea Pig
Just wanted to share an idea for anyone that has a spare run or cage bit.
We’ve had the folding run for ages and it’s perfectly adequate in size, but Mr Boarworld
pointed out the other day that the base-run for our old outdoor cage (no longer used) was going to waste. So, we’ve Frankenstein’d it.
The girls (3, all under a year old) are besides themselves, I have never seen so much popcorning or zoomies!
We added a solid lid at the back (nailed on) where the old cage used to sit to make it safer. We’ve then opened both doors and attached the two cages firmly together with cable ties so that there are no gaps between the doors, just an opening to move between the two. Cable ties used so that we can snip them and move it all around the garden, will get some reversible ones.
I’ve put towels down leaving just a small patch of grass exposed because mine are young (9 and 10 months) and haven’t been out on grass before. They’re absolutely gluttonous (shock!) so I only wanted to give them free access to a little bit of grass until their tummies get used to it. As time passes I’ll increase the exposed grass. They’ve been having freshly snipped little bundles daily in their inside cage for a few weeks so we should hopefully be safe from them overdoing it!
Tons of hides dotted about, a few cucumber wedges, a couple of water bottles plus a bowl and a huge hay pile in the back cage completes their mansion! Mine really don’t drink much at all, I barely see them touch water bottles or bowls so I give them cucumber when it’s warmer just to make sure they’re staying hydrated.
The only thing left to do it nail a piece of wood where currently there is a piece wedged to close the gap in height at the front. Blankets are only on top and on one side for shade whilst the sun is high, sides are all open for a breeze.
It’s not quite predator proof yet as I’ve not nailed that gap closed but even when that’s done it wouldn’t be safe enough to leave them overnight or for extended periods. However they’re rarely without supervision as I potter in and out all day, so it’ll be safe enough for that. We have tons of Red Kites here so it’s no bad thing to keep them undercover anyhow. It’s amazing how they can tell a bird that’s a predator from one that isn’t. We have robins and blue tits (and squirrels, actually) that all make noise and will hop up quite close to their cage in hope of a bit food and the pigs just look at them then carry on, totally unbothered. The second they hear the Kites call, they scatter at 100mph.
Three happy little piggies, out enjoying the springtime!
We’ve had the folding run for ages and it’s perfectly adequate in size, but Mr Boarworld
pointed out the other day that the base-run for our old outdoor cage (no longer used) was going to waste. So, we’ve Frankenstein’d it.
The girls (3, all under a year old) are besides themselves, I have never seen so much popcorning or zoomies!
We added a solid lid at the back (nailed on) where the old cage used to sit to make it safer. We’ve then opened both doors and attached the two cages firmly together with cable ties so that there are no gaps between the doors, just an opening to move between the two. Cable ties used so that we can snip them and move it all around the garden, will get some reversible ones.
I’ve put towels down leaving just a small patch of grass exposed because mine are young (9 and 10 months) and haven’t been out on grass before. They’re absolutely gluttonous (shock!) so I only wanted to give them free access to a little bit of grass until their tummies get used to it. As time passes I’ll increase the exposed grass. They’ve been having freshly snipped little bundles daily in their inside cage for a few weeks so we should hopefully be safe from them overdoing it!
Tons of hides dotted about, a few cucumber wedges, a couple of water bottles plus a bowl and a huge hay pile in the back cage completes their mansion! Mine really don’t drink much at all, I barely see them touch water bottles or bowls so I give them cucumber when it’s warmer just to make sure they’re staying hydrated.
The only thing left to do it nail a piece of wood where currently there is a piece wedged to close the gap in height at the front. Blankets are only on top and on one side for shade whilst the sun is high, sides are all open for a breeze.
It’s not quite predator proof yet as I’ve not nailed that gap closed but even when that’s done it wouldn’t be safe enough to leave them overnight or for extended periods. However they’re rarely without supervision as I potter in and out all day, so it’ll be safe enough for that. We have tons of Red Kites here so it’s no bad thing to keep them undercover anyhow. It’s amazing how they can tell a bird that’s a predator from one that isn’t. We have robins and blue tits (and squirrels, actually) that all make noise and will hop up quite close to their cage in hope of a bit food and the pigs just look at them then carry on, totally unbothered. The second they hear the Kites call, they scatter at 100mph.
Three happy little piggies, out enjoying the springtime!
