Hutch regret

EmmaA24

EmmaA24

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Apr 26, 2018
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Location
Northamptonshire
Hello! Me again 🙈

I ordered a hutch from feelgooduk, and I’m now regretting it. I think the dimensions look too small? It looks quite narrow.

I liked that the ramp was felted and not too steep the roof is protected and slanted and the locks look sturdy... But it just looks too small.
I have ordered a 6 foot long run.

I have a small garden and limited space. There is only a small strip where there is shelter from the sun and elements on my patio.

Does anyone have any reviews/advice on this hutch?

I have seen similar hutches from Chartwell which seem to be deeper.

I’m now worrying!
Sorry for the ramble.

Thank you.
 

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It is a bit less wide than we would like to see as a groundspace. If you are not happy, can you cancel your order?
Cage Size Guide
 
I’m hoping so. I’m going to contact them in the morning.
I’m thinking the cons of less floor space definitely outweigh the pros.

Having an anxious late night wobble!

Thanks for the reply.
 
Aw they’ve dispatched it today even though I sent an email yesterday to cancel it :doh:
And they don’t offer free returns.
Drat.
 
EmmaA24 said:
Aw they’ve dispatched it today even though I sent an email yesterday to cancel it :doh:
And they don’t offer free returns.
Drat.
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Just use it and save up for a big hutch later on so you can sell on your current hutch. It is not hugely below the recommended minimum.

Make sure that it is out of the frost and also out of full sun/a patios heat trap during heat spikes/heat waves. The current up and down weather is not good for guinea pigs so I would wait until the weather is past freezing/very cold nights.
Hot Weather Management And Heat Strokes
Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs
 
We will hopefully getting some piggies by the end of the month/beginning of June, I’m hoping the weather will have warmed up by then. I think I will invest in a hutch hugger to keep it insulated.
I have a couple of baby bottle insulator bags I can use over their drinking bottles.
I think if the weather is the same next winter they’ll definitely be moving into the house until it warms up!
 
EmmaA24 said:
We will hopefully getting some piggies by the end of the month/beginning of June, I’m hoping the weather will have warmed up by then. I think I will invest in a hutch hugger to keep it insulated.
I have a couple of baby bottle insulator bags I can use over their drinking bottles.
I think if the weather is the same next winter they’ll definitely be moving into the house until it warms up!
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Have you considered adopting guinea pigs from a good standard rescue? That way, you can be assured that they are fully healthy/fully quarantined (no ringworm, mites or respiratory infections), properly sexed and gender separated (no unplanned pregnancies from shop or breeder piggies) and personality matched (no boar fall-outs during the teenage months). Unlike shop and breeder piggies, rescue piggies are getting human interaction and you will not be paired up with any guinea pigs looking for an experienced home.
Good rescues are by far the safest place to get guinea pigs from; you get a lot more service for a little extra effort. Our forum recommendations comply with or surpass minimal RSPCA welfare recommendations. If you talk with the rescue you want to rehome from before you order a new hutch, they can tell you what they are looking for, so you be assured to pass any home check.
Please be aware that anybody in this country can call themselves a rescue or a breeder without a licence or any supervision, and the results can be accordingly. Pets@home have mostly sorted their mange mite and URI (respiratory infection) issues over the past 2-3 years, but they are still massively struggling with highly transmittable ringworm (which can also spread to humans and other species pets), seeing the number and nature of new owners' posts we are getting. :(
Here is our list of rescues we can guarantee that you and any piggies are in safe hands; it is worth travelling that bit further for full peace of mind!
Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues

You are lucky to have one of the best guinea pig vets on your door step: the Cat&Rabbit Care Clinic in Duston, Northampton. They are seeing piggies from all over the country, including mine!
The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic

Here are our Wannabe and our New Owners information guide collections; you might like to have a read through for a smooth start. Take your time to do your research; ask other members for tips as to which hutches they recommend.
My piggies are indoors piggies, so I am not up to the current best providers and bargains.
Are Guinea Pigs For Me? - A Guide
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
 
Absolutely I’d consider a rescue. I’m not in a rush and I don’t have anything particular in mind (not in a bad way). They’re all rather lovely.

I’m very wary of Pets at Home, we have had various small pets from there, and gerbils especially we’ve not had a good record with. However there is also a local pet shop down the road from the Cat & Rabbit clinic where we’ve had pets from and they’ve been very hardy. Funnily enough the same pet shop recommended this vet to me as they are good at removing scent gland rumours which are troublesome in male gerbils.

Would a rescue consider us? The car and dog ones here won’t because we have two small toddlers. Just to add they will be my pets, I’m not after getting them for the children, and any contact, whether it be observing, feeding, or petting (absolutely not picking up) would be under direct supervision at all times.
 
EmmaA24 said:
Absolutely I’d consider a rescue. I’m not in a rush and I don’t have anything particular in mind (not in a bad way). They’re all rather lovely.

I’m very wary of Pets at Home, we have had various small pets from there, and gerbils especially we’ve not had a good record with. However there is also a local pet shop down the road from the Cat & Rabbit clinic where we’ve had pets from and they’ve been very hardy. Funnily enough the same pet shop recommended this vet to me as they are good at removing scent gland rumours which are troublesome in male gerbils.

Would a rescue consider us? The car and dog ones here won’t because we have two small toddlers. Just to add they will be my pets, I’m not after getting them for the children, and any contact, whether it be observing, feeding, or petting (absolutely not picking up) would be under direct supervision at all times.
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It depends on whether the rescue people have had bad experiences or not, but many are open if you are upfront about having the piggies for yourself and not for your children, and ask what additional measures they would like you take to avoid any incidents apart from supervised cuddling time. A constructive and cooperate attitude will often go a long way. ;)

@furryfriends (TEAS) is from Northampton and give you the local lowdown.
 
Definitely. Honesty is definitely the best policy when it comes to pets.

Thanks for the links, I will take a closer look
 
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