Choosing a hutch?! So many!

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vickie016

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Hi!

I have been looking at endless choices of hutch for my potential new piggies....the more i look the more difficult i am finding it to choose (even though i have had piggies in the past!).

I will be getting a pair of boys and will be housing them within a waterproof shed outside. I've been looking at 2 tier hutches so they get more space and a choice of 'upstairs or downstairs(!)' but how much space will be appropriate?

[*]My 2 favourites are these: [/*]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RABBIT-GU...et_Supplies_Small_Animals&hash=item41660c9c66

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/summ...mmer+lodg&msg=MSG_SEARCH_ONE_MATCHING_PRODUCT

Would these be sufficient? They will obviously also have a run on the grass and come in for lots of cuddles :D

Thank you for any advice! x
 
I don't really know enough about hutches for a guinea pig so I can't help you on that. But, by the looks, they look amazing. I think I like the first one better because it has that ramp and all. Very good choices. Hopefully you'll be able to figure it out and be happy with your decision. :)
 
They've brought back the summer lodges! I love that hutch and really wanted to get one so I had 'space'. It's a fab hutch. I've got the P@H equivalent - same size and split to make two 5x2 hutches. It's massive and any future piggies will enjoy having the space! :)

In my opinion the first one isn't suitable because a lot of the space is outside, rendering it useless in the bad weather that we tend to get over here. Piggies need a big hutch because they're likely to be in it for a significant part of the day, if not all day. The bit that they would spend the most time in in the first one isn't big enough for this.

The two tier is great, providing plenty of space 24/7 for a pair (or more) of piggies and you can get a run to allow them to go outside when it's nice weather.
 
Thank you for your help, yes i quite like the summer lodge as it looks quite impressive and sturdy as well as having all the space :) I liked the other one and thought it would be appropriate as I'm putting the whole thing inside an outdoor waterproof shed so thought they would get the use out of all of it but yes i did consider if there was enough covered space for them, sure they'll want their own space at times and might not want to be out of the main bit :/

I really want to make the right decision for my piggies!

x
 
Draught proof

Both look nice and roomy. The crucial thing is for them to be draught proof, as piggies like to be snug and warm, and do not like draughts at all. Have you checked them out in person, or are they just from a catalogue etc? Many commercial hutches are very flimsy in reality. There's a company called The Happy Hutch company online who are excellent, and observe RSPCA recommendations on size.

I'd recommend you put some card board shoe boxes in for the two boys to have their own small cosy spaces to snuggle in to, and to escape from each other, which piggies also need to do. Hope that helps xx
 
The hutch will definitely be draught free within the outer housing.

The summer lodge is a pets at home hutch and having a different one from there before i can say they are very sturdy, i will be off to look at it today to check it out further.

I will be using the fleece flooring option and will definitely be putting in some hidey holes/tunnels and enclosed boxing for my piggies to escape to :)

It's so exciting getting everything ready!

x
 
P.s. have had a look at happy hutch, the summer lodge is much bigger than any they do so i'm happy i'm providing enough space for my piggies x
 
Fair comment on the Happy Hutch etc. You obviously care a lot about your piggies - great they're going to such a loving home. Lucky boys! xx
 
They certainly will be coming to a loving home :) I just want them to feel safe and be happy. Went to see them today and had cuddles! Think i might have new names for them now too! x
 
At the moment I'm using a one storey hutch but my kind grandad is going to build a two storey one for me. As my boars have little tiffs and one generally gets kicked out of the bed bit, I've designed a hutch so there are two bed bits which is really cool. I can't wait to get it!
 
How exciting :)

That's why i'm really trying to provide as much space as possible for the boys so they can have their time both together and apart without getting upset!
 
vickie016 said:
P.s. have had a look at happy hutch, the summer lodge is much bigger than any they do so i'm happy i'm providing enough space for my piggies x
Click to expand...

I suspect you've already made up your mind, but I just wanted to add that I have a Happy Hutch and it is fantastic. They do hutches up to 6-feet wide as well (I see the one you're looking at is 5-feet), including a two-tier version.

I posted a thread with links to mine here, mine is the 6-foot version but with a run extending out the front rather than underneath. I went for this style because it was less than £150 for the hutch and run together, which I thought was a really good deal. I also like that my piggies get to use all the floor space in their hutch without a big hole for a ramp being in the way.
 
Definitely is a good deal :) The setup looks great and i bet your piggies love it!

The shed the hutch is going into is 67cm deep so I'm unable to have a hutch that has an extended run at the bottom, i can only have a 2-tier system. I would rather the hutch go in there than be out in the elements. i will be getting a separate run to go on the grass so they can enjoy munching the grass and stretch their legs :) The P@H hutch is a pretty good deal at only £99.

Thank you for your help, i did overlook some of the hutches as they were not classified as guinea pig options so i have had a better look!
 
Yes, if I was going to recommend a Happy Hutch for you, it would probably be this one. Unfortunately, it does work out at £45 more than the P@H one, so I can certainly understand the appeal of the latter.

I'm sure your piggies are going to be very happy whichever you choose. :)
 
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