E_Blackaby

Junior Guinea Pig
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Manchester
Hi!

So I'm pretty sure the standard hutch for most people housing their Guinea pigs outside is the classic 2 storey wooden hutch (probably from pets at home)

Basically I have had 7 pigs in my life and out of all of them only 1 has ever learnt to use the stairs in the hutch which essentially brands the hutch a one-storey (limiting space). I tried everything to get my other girls to use the stairs, thinking even my oldest and bravest pig might venture down but food/any sort of bribery just wasn't cutting it. I know lots of people with pigs and they also have the same problem!

This wasn't much of a problem whilst I have had 2 pigs (both of which did not use the stairs but since I had them inside every day for a long time the space was seemingly enough) but recently I adopted 2 more girls so I now have a herd of 4!

Originally I considered housing then seperately but the bonding went so well I really wanted them to be together! But I know no matter how big a double storey hutch I could find, they wouldn't use the stairs.

So I bought another double storey hutch and my (pretty amazing) mum constructed this piggy mansion! We used an extremely secure thick piece of large tubing and my mum (being the wannabe DIY gal) had a drill and an electric saw and as you can see from the pictures we joined the two hutches!

I just thought I'd share this 1) because it's pretty cool haha and 2) in case anyone else is DIY savvy or like me has a willing friend/parent/partner who will give it a bash! The girls have been in their 'mansion' as I like to call it for a week now and loving it it provides them the space of a 2 storey hutch without using the stairs. There should be larger hutches available but since there wasn't I decided this was best! It is 100% secure and sealed and perfect!

Hope it could help someone or just hope you think it's cool haha! x

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That's really neat.

I can understand getting your piggies to use ramps but I have to say the ramps that @Tim made for me worked a treat, they feel very secure and use it tonnes and it's lined with carpet so no problem gripping.
 
That's really neat.

I can understand getting your piggies to use ramps but I have to say the ramps that @Tim made for me worked a treat, they feel very secure and use it tonnes and it's lined with carpet so no problem gripping.
Ahhh really! Thanks for that info! I'll look into it funnily enough it was my most 'skittish' pig that always used the stairs so I couldn't work it out haha! x
 
That is neat! Great idea!
Thanks for sharing, it's certainly inspired me :) x
 
If you don't use the downstairs section, you could use it for storage, that's what I originally did until I ended up expanding the furry mob.
My brothers girlfriend does that because she has a similar problem! I'm going to seal up one of the stair 'holes' this week so that they only have access to one (to give them more space) and maybe invest in a most secure stairs for the other hutch because it would be nice to see them use it! Xx
 
Brilliant, I love a Mum that's handy with power tools. Mines like that and jobs really do get done!
 
Brilliant, I love a Mum that's handy with power tools. Mines like that and jobs really do get done!
Haha she's so great bless her she's just retiled our bathroom then I come to her with my Guinea pig extension plans! What are mums for ;) x
 
Looks great, and is a fab idea.

Have you tried using a fleece ramp tunnel to help with the two stories? I got one from C and E cosies to help my boar (who wouldn't use the ramp) and now he's up and down the two levels with the rest of my mob.
 
Looks great, and is a fab idea.

Have you tried using a fleece ramp tunnel to help with the two stories? I got one from C and E cosies to help my boar (who wouldn't use the ramp) and now he's up and down the two levels with the rest of my mob.
Thanks! I covered one of the ramps today with a wooden panel and they are already living the extra space and I am definitely going to look into something like that for the ramp because looking at it today it is quite steep for them and I think they need more stability! Thanks for recommending I'll take a look! Xx
 
What a great idea :yahoo:

I recently added ramps and a loft area to my cage and I was so pleased that all 3 started using the ramps within 24 hours and now they race up and down them!
 
What a great idea :yahoo:

I recently added ramps and a loft area to my cage and I was so pleased that all 3 started using the ramps within 24 hours and now they race up and down them!
Thanks! I really hope I can work out something so mine can too! Xx
 
I took ages researching different 4 ft 2 storey hutches (outdoor ones, but to have it inside) and sacrificed my display cabinet and all the treasured contents so the luxury hutch I finally chose could go there. My wonderful neighbour took several hours putting it together for me ....... all to no avail. They would NOT use the ramp. And whether I put them upstairs or down, they just wouldn't venture either way. Even basil treats on the ramp didn't tempt them. And so reluctantly I've put the hutch outside well covered with tarpaulins until I can get rid of it, brought their cage back in, and they are so much happier. I feel awful for putting them through the stress (and one of them when upstairs didn't seem to recognise the significance of the hole at the top of the ramp, and his little leg slipped over the edge but thankfully no more than that. Such a waste of money :( and I'm dreading having to tell my kind neighbour his hard work was in vain.
 
I took ages researching different 4 ft 2 storey hutches (outdoor ones, but to have it inside) and sacrificed my display cabinet and all the treasured contents so the luxury hutch I finally chose could go there. My wonderful neighbour took several hours putting it together for me ....... all to no avail. They would NOT use the ramp. And whether I put them upstairs or down, they just wouldn't venture either way. Even basil treats on the ramp didn't tempt them. And so reluctantly I've put the hutch outside well covered with tarpaulins until I can get rid of it, brought their cage back in, and they are so much happier. I feel awful for putting them through the stress (and one of them when upstairs didn't seem to recognise the significance of the hole at the top of the ramp, and his little leg slipped over the edge but thankfully no more than that. Such a waste of money :( and I'm dreading having to tell my kind neighbour his hard work was in vain.
Awww I wouldn't feel too bad like I said I've had 7 pigs and only one (my most picky and skittish piggy) actually used the ramp and she only ever used to do it I feel to wind me up when I was trying to get her out ;) bless her! I think it's quite a common problem that pigs don't use ramps I personally think they are way too steep on the hutches I've bought! A similar thing happened to me one of my little girls slipped her leg over the edge but she was fine they just have to work it out and work out the boundaries! It's a shame you cant use it but maybe sell the hutch? x
 
could you try putting one of those bendy tubes in the hutch laid out on top of the ramp so that it's an enclosed downward tunnel instead ? if it was one of the ribbed tunnels they would have plenty of grip too - this sort of tunnel

http://www.petsathome.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/pets/guinea-pig-adventure-tunnel

or maybe even a fleece tunnel?

or get your creative DIY mum :gp::like: to add some sides to the ramp to make them secure, then add some old carpet/towels/puppy pad to the floor for grip,
or maybe extend the length of the ramp so its not so steep - they could have a two tier mansion then :tu:
 
could you try putting one of those bendy tubes in the hutch laid out on top of the ramp so that it's an enclosed downward tunnel instead ? if it was one of the ribbed tunnels they would have plenty of grip too - this sort of tunnel

http://www.petsathome.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/pets/guinea-pig-adventure-tunnel

or maybe even a fleece tunnel?

or get your creative DIY mum :gp::like: to add some sides to the ramp to make them secure, then add some old carpet/towels/pupy pad to the floor for grip,
or maybe extend the length of the ramp so its not so steep - they could have a two tier mansion then :tu:
Thanks for the recommendations! I'm definitely going to try at least some of the things you've said I think I'm going to line it and add some sides because my eldest girl does put half her body on to it then backs up obviously she thinks 'I'm gonna fall' so I think if she had some more security it would be better! Haha definitely ideally diy
 
Thanks for the recommendations! I'm definitely going to try at least some of the things you've said I think I'm going to line it and add some sides because my eldest girl does put half her body on to it then backs up obviously she thinks 'I'm gonna fall' so I think if she had some more security it would be better! Haha definitely ideally diy
Oops replied too early haha but yeah definitely diy mum making the ramp less steep would be the most ideal I just don't know how that would work really x
 
I've never had a ramp in my hutch - but if its screwed in to make it stay in place, just unscrew it & put a longer piece of wood there, or maybe just put a big wedge shaped piece of wood underneath the end if it, panel pins could be used to secure it to the wedge, they can be hammered in flush, so they don't catch piggy toes or countersink some short screws in if you want it to be dismantled easily?

durr - brainwave - could you get any correx like in the C&C cages and make a ramp(folded &scored for sides) out of that? that's quite sturdy & can be cut to any length.
(or a cheap alternative when i moved house the 'For sale' board was never collected, i have reused the spike, correx sign & post for various purposes! lol :D )
as long as its got a gripping surface on top it'll be safer & more comfortable to use,x
 
Please please..... anyone who cannot get your piggies to use the ramp. .. try and invest in a cosy cover. I got one when mine were babies as I didn't want any accident's. They stayed on one level for a while then the cosy was fixed to the ramp with Velcro so it really really doesn't move. They were straight up n down within half an hr. Anyway they came in for the winter into a no ramp house... now back out in the 2 story hutch for summer. Again covered ramp after 10mins of looking. ..no prob. I have just had the cover out to wash and neither would venture up the uncovered ramp. .. tho they did do as babies very slowly when the cover was being washed. But as soon as the covers back on... up and down they run...and I mean they dart. The cover I had made has 4 lots of velcro fastenings that go round the ramp making it very tight to the ramp so if they ever would fall the cover would catch them anyway. Only issue I have is they can hide in it and just sit there knowing that the only way I can get to them is to un velcro the cosy and lift them off still in it!... needs must haha
 
I've never had a ramp in my hutch - but if its screwed in to make it stay in place, just unscrew it & put a longer piece of wood there, or maybe just put a big wedge shaped piece of wood underneath the end if it, panel pins could be used to secure it to the wedge, they can be hammered in flush, so they don't catch piggy toes or countersink some short screws in if you want it to be dismantled easily?

durr - brainwave - could you get any correx like in the C&C cages and make a ramp(folded &scored for sides) out of that? that's quite sturdy & can be cut to any length.
(or a cheap alternative when i moved house the 'For sale' board was never collected, i have reused the spike, correx sign & post for various purposes! lol :D )
as long as its got a gripping surface on top it'll be safer & more comfortable to use,x
Definitely going to try something like this! (I say I'm going to what I mean is I'll call my mum round hehe) thanks! Xx
 
Please please..... anyone who cannot get your piggies to use the ramp. .. try and invest in a cosy cover. I got one when mine were babies as I didn't want any accident's. They stayed on one level for a while then the cosy was fixed to the ramp with Velcro so it really really doesn't move. They were straight up n down within half an hr. Anyway they came in for the winter into a no ramp house... now back out in the 2 story hutch for summer. Again covered ramp after 10mins of looking. ..no prob. I have just had the cover out to wash and neither would venture up the uncovered ramp. .. tho they did do as babies very slowly when the cover was being washed. But as soon as the covers back on... up and down they run...and I mean they dart. The cover I had made has 4 lots of velcro fastenings that go round the ramp making it very tight to the ramp so if they ever would fall the cover would catch them anyway. Only issue I have is they can hide in it and just sit there knowing that the only way I can get to them is to un velcro the cosy and lift them off still in it!... needs must haha
Awww bless them! That sounds so good thanks I'll have to try that idea out I really hope it works as well as it has for you! Xx
 
Please please..... anyone who cannot get your piggies to use the ramp. .. try and invest in a cosy cover. I got one when mine were babies as I didn't want any accident's. They stayed on one level for a while then the cosy was fixed to the ramp with Velcro so it really really doesn't move. They were straight up n down within half an hr. Anyway they came in for the winter into a no ramp house... now back out in the 2 story hutch for summer. Again covered ramp after 10mins of looking. ..no prob. I have just had the cover out to wash and neither would venture up the uncovered ramp. .. tho they did do as babies very slowly when the cover was being washed. But as soon as the covers back on... up and down they run...and I mean they dart. The cover I had made has 4 lots of velcro fastenings that go round the ramp making it very tight to the ramp so if they ever would fall the cover would catch them anyway. Only issue I have is they can hide in it and just sit there knowing that the only way I can get to them is to un velcro the cosy and lift them off still in it!... needs must haha
Where did you get your cover from?
I keep meaning to do a thread about ramps.
There some good pictures in this link...
Ramps
 
Where did you get your cover from?
I keep meaning to do a thread about ramps.
There some good pictures in this link...
Ramps
I haven't got the link now. It was a seller on ebay who did cosys and I gave her dimensions of my ramp and she worked wonders... basically it's a long cosy with 4 bended loops to keep its shape and 4 lots of velcro along it so it sits on the ramp and the velcro fastens underneath. If I can find the seller I will.
 
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