Hutch Stairs Help

[PipSqueak20]

Hello

I’ve brought a new living space for the pigs. The hutch is over 6ft and has 2 floors. The other one was getting worn and dangerous so it was much needed. They have only been in there for just over 24 hours.

*I keep hutches indoors with plenty of additional roaming space. This is just when I’m not at home, so I know that they’re safe when alone.

One thing that I forgot to factor in was the steepness of the stairs. Pip and Ginger look up and don’t bother. I’ve put them upstairs for a bit and they did manage to go downstairs with some treats. They are used to stairs as the other indoor hutch had one and they were always charging up and down.

I’ve heard about carpet tiles and tunnels (idk if they will use tunnels like that) and obviously bribing them with food.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[Piggies&buns]

The ramp definitely needs a lot more grip. The spaces between the rungs will be too slippery for them to use and the rungs are too far apart.

Adding carpet or vetbed to it to improve grip and reducing the gradient of the ramp should help if they are already used to using ramps

 

[PipSqueak20]

The ramp definitely needs a lot more grip. The spaces between the rungs will be too slippery for them to use and the rungs are too far apart.

Adding carpet or vetbed to it to improve grip and reducing the gradient of the ramp should help if they are already used to using ramps

What’s vetbed?

 

[Piggies&buns]

What’s vetbed?

It’s a thick pile fabric bedding with a green backing that lets urine through to an absorbent layer underneath

Absolutely brilliant bedding for wicking and also comforting for older piggies

I used Velcro to stick vetbed onto hutch ramps (when I used to use ramps - I oniy ever do single level living now)

Search ‘vetbed’ on Amazon and you will find lots of options

 

[PipSqueak20]

It’s a thick pile fabric bedding with a green backing that lets urine through to an absorbent layer underneath

Absolutely brilliant bedding for wicking and also comforting for older piggies

I used Velcro to stick vetbed onto hutch ramps (when I used to use ramps - I oniy ever do single level living now)

Search ‘vetbed’ on Amazon and you will find lots of options

I’ve ordered some vetbed and double sided tape.

Pip has just spawned up onto the other level just now so she had the courage to do so

 

[flowerfairy]

You can get ramp tunnels from some of the cage liner sellers online. They cover the whole ramp and make it less scary for them. Also some people raise the bottom end of the ramp so the whole thing becomes less steep. Sides on the ramp can help too.

 

[PipSqueak20]

You can get ramp tunnels from some of the cage liner sellers online. They cover the whole ramp and make it less scary for them. Also some people raise the bottom end of the ramp so the whole thing becomes less steep. Sides on the ramp can help too.

It’s a thick pile fabric bedding with a green backing that lets urine through to an absorbent layer underneath

Absolutely brilliant bedding for wicking and also comforting for older piggies

I used Velcro to stick vetbed onto hutch ramps (when I used to use ramps - I oniy ever do single level living now)

Search ‘vetbed’ on Amazon and you will find lots of options

the gradient is quite hard to do as the stairs are effectively stuck in place. I’ll try and see if I can get pieces to put on the side to help with the steepness

 

[PipSqueak20]

You can get ramp tunnels from some of the cage liner sellers online. They cover the whole ramp and make it less scary for them. Also some people raise the bottom end of the ramp so the whole thing becomes less steep. Sides on the ramp can help too.

I’ve found these random pieces of wood that I reckon would be good as sides. In the mean time I’ve just a bit of fabric on the stairs until all the stuff comes