How should I build this?

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GwenGarrett

GwenGarrett

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I've established that I need to build a hutch for the piggies since I'm not allowed to keep them inside. So does anyone have an opinion as to what type of hutch I should build and with what materials.

Keep in mind that I'm not very well off in the money department but I will work it out, and that I will need to reinforce the hutch somewhat because our porch roof does not slant and lets water in.
It does not rain often here but I will need to be prepared for when it does.

I appreciate any assistance and opinion I can get.
 
hi, could you not try ebay first? i see your not in england, but do you use free cycle? Both are great places to get stuff either cheap or free.

good luck xx
 
It is much easier to look on ebay or in you local paper than try and build your own, also buying good quality wood will cost quite a lot. I tried and failed to build a hutch, it is much harder than it seems. In the hot climate that you live in you need to be aware of not letting the piggies get too hot. Is your porch shady and sheltered from wind and the worst of the rain? You would need at least 4x2 ft and high ceilings as heat rises. A small, low hutch would be hot but a large, tall one would allow air to circulate better. You can always put more hay in on a cold night and in winter.
 
i have to agree about the price of wood etc. I wanted my piggies to have as much room as poss, and be able to come and go as they please, after buying fence panels, mesh, nails, screws, turf, it cost me a fortune, and would have been cheaper to buy a large chicken coop style hutch, where they would have had the same space! (But i did have fun making it lol)
 
My OH has just built me new hutches. I had 2 5ft x 2ft hutches made & then a 12ft x 2ft. The total cost for all 3 was approx: £95.00

The cost of building materials for a 4ft x 2ft hutch is approx: £35.00

8ft x 4ft sheet of exterior ply (1/2" ) £9.97 (B&Q)
Pack (8 lengths) of 2" x 1" wood for doors £4.87 (B&Q)
Cage Mesh (13mm) £3.99 (Wilkinsons)
Screws (200) £4.28 (B&Q)
Roofing Felt, if not in a shed £10.50 (Wilkinsons)
Toggles & Hinges for doors £2.00 approx (Wilkinsons)

If in a shed you won't need roofing felt.

For a 5ft x 2ft hutch you will need an extra sheet of exterior ply

EDITED TO ADD: My apologies. Just noticed you're not in the UK & therefore my info is useless to you :(
I will leave it here as it may help others who are in the UK.
 
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Nickylowe40 said:
hi, could you not try ebay first? i see your not in england, but do you use free cycle? Both are great places to get stuff either cheap or free.

good luck xx
Click to expand...

I did look on ebay briefly I suppose I could look further, I just didn't see what I would need at a glance

piggyme234 said:
It is much easier to look on ebay or in you local paper than try and build your own, also buying good quality wood will cost quite a lot. I tried and failed to build a hutch, it is much harder than it seems. In the hot climate that you live in you need to be aware of not letting the piggies get too hot. Is your porch shady and sheltered from wind and the worst of the rain? You would need at least 4x2 ft and high ceilings as heat rises. A small, low hutch would be hot but a large, tall one would allow air to circulate better. You can always put more hay in on a cold night and in winter.
Click to expand...

The porch over my roof is shady, yes, but it does not keep out the rain. This is one of the reasons I was asking an opinion :red I am not sure what to use to keep the hutch safe from the rain.
 
GwenGarrett said:
The porch over my roof is shady, yes, but it does not keep out the rain. This is one of the reasons I was asking an opinion :red I am not sure what to use to keep the hutch safe from the rain.
Click to expand...


I used to use tarpaulin or thick plastic to cover mine :)
 
Ah, I see. That would work. On a side note, I started my classes today, and and officially getting paid at work. [I had been doing an apprenticeship at a clinic for a while]
 
if you buy some 6mil plastic, like they use in landscaping, it will keep out the rain...and you could put extra on it as it could be used for a Flap for windy days and to make sure there is enough shade. You can pick it up at Home Depot/Lowes....
Sorry i dont know about other materials.
 
I will look into that. Also, there is not much grass around my parent's home so maybe I should grow a patch specifically for them to use?
 
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