Ideas for indoor run in hall

[james_uk]

Hi, we have recently got 2 young male guinea pigs for my daughter, we got them just over 2 weeks ago , they are in a cage which is 120cm x 60cm.
We really need an indoor run for them to get more daily exercise.

They were pretty quiet the first 1-2 days, then for a couple of days one was being more dominant over the other, and then after that have been really settled with each other and started running around their cage like little nutters lol I have read that's a good sign which is good.

Anyway, we are now looking for a way to let them get more run time with a bigger area, we are thinking the hall would be the best place as its long and is harder floor, so will be easier to clean than carpet.
We want them to still be restricted though as we don't want them to be able to get to thing's like under the radiators etc

Is there anything anyone can recommend that that could go down a hall, which could allow them to run, it wouldn't require a bottom as such.

Thanks
James

 

[Piggies&buns]

C&c grids would be a good idea.
Cable tie the grids together permanently so they concertina up for easy storage. They then unfold easily and you can then pop connectors on the end two grids to make it into a cage.
Lay plastic on the floor and then an absorbent layer and fleece and then put the grids up on it.

Post #4 of this guide is an example of this

Temporary Housing Solutions?

The other thing to add is that a 120x60cm cage is not big enough for two boys.
While it is minimum welfare size for two piggies, it is only suited to two sows as a minimum size.

Two boars need a cage of 180x60cm (150x60cm at a minimum but that can still be too small for two boars).
There are no commercial cages which go big enough for boars and boar owners usually go for c&c cages due to that. A 5 grid by 2 grid cage is the size boars need (which comes to 180x70cm).
Boars are territorial and really need a larger cage to not risk space related bond issues, falling out and permanent separation, particularly as teenagers. The extra space also means there is enough room for the multiple resources which boars need.
A daily run does not count towards cage size.

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Cage Size Guide

 

[AidaB]

We have used our hall for free roaming/playtime before. I blocked off the stairs with CC grids & stuffed a blanket under the radiator cover. The floor was covered with newspaper, a blanket & some pee pads. Then added in a few houses, tunnels & plenty of hay.
The front door is a little draughty so that had a blanket and a cardboard box in front of it.
All 4 pigs living with us at the time, had their own turn in the hall.

Foster pigs, Pumpkin & Basil exploring the hall in Feb 2024