Ideas To Improe My Hutch

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helenv87

helenv87

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here is a picture of my outdoor hutch, I'm hoping to make changes to it to make it better for my Guinea pigs, does anyone have any ideas.
So far I have changed the roof so it's lifts up to access the hutch that way rather then just using the doors at the front.
My next adaption I am planning Is to take away the little wooden strip separating the 2 sections and buying a little wooden house that will be the same width as the sleeping buy lower in height so I can add a ramp so they can climb onto the roof exploring. Does this sound good? what other adaptions could I do?

image.webp
 
I think it's a great idea of yours to open the lid from the top - and I notice you have put a catch on the secure the roof too .

What sort of things were you thinking of to improve the hutch ?
 
PiggyOwner said:
I think it's a great idea of yours to open the lid from the top - and I notice you have put a catch on the secure the roof too .

What sort of things were you thinking of to improve the hutch ?
Click to expand...

I'm hoping to change the sleeping compartment I'm just not sure if I should also add bits to the main area.
I want it so my Guinea pigs are happy in there if I need to leave them in a little longer than I normally would. I try and put them in their run everyday for a few days but sometimes this isn't possible and I want to make sure they have enough space for those times it's not possible x
 
:agr: time is a run is very important . A lot of members like to use hay trays . I tend to use cardboard boxes but some members use cat litter trays . I line mine with a bit of Aubiose bedding and either a bit of fleece or hay on top . My guineas like the different areas .

Here is a thread with my Sparkle modelling a tray ...
Cheap And Cheerful !
 
The sleeping compartment is currently 14inch by 14inch, the little house I'm hoping to add I think is 14inch by 10inch. I'm hoping that loss of 4inches won't be too much of a problem :( the house will be lower in height giving them extra surface to play on top of once I've added a ramp. i can't try and draw a sketch if that makes it any easy to see what I'm hoping to do
 
PiggyOwner said:
:agr: time is a run is very important . A lot of members like to use hay trays . I tend to use cardboard boxes but some members use cat litter trays . I line mine with a bit of Aubiose bedding and either a bit of fleece or hay on top . My guineas like the different areas .

Here is a thread with my Sparkle modelling a tray ...
Cheap And Cheerful !
Click to expand...

What is the hay tray used for? For them to eat? sleep in? Or go to the toilet in?
I tried adding a plastic tray with wood shavings in for them go to the toilet but it all got scattered around so now I just put newspaper and I small pile of wood shavings in the corner. I fill the sleeping compartment with hay and newspaper and have a ball that hangs from the roof that i fill with hay for them to eat so it's clean
 
here are a couple of pictures of the sleeping house I was thinking of buying to add to my hutch.
These are examples just to show you, in still trying to decide if I like the idea of the rectangle one or the square on with corner entrance.
I think I'm tempted to stick to the rectangle one as it provides more space inside and might fit more neartly in the hutch

image.webp

image.webp
 
I'm thinking maybe the rectangle one with door at the front might be better than the corner house :soz:
I do like the corner one but I think the 13inch by 13inch will mean the gap into the house is tight and I think the next size down the 10inch by 10inch will mean the space inside is a bit cramped for my 2 piggies :soz:
The rectangle one is 14inch by 10inch so it is almost the same size as what they have now, I'm just adding a roof so it's lower in height
 
I think adding a house is a great idea.
By putting things in that create two levels you are increasing their living area, plus providing some stimulation by offering them new places to explore.
I would be tempted to add a house, and then put a fleece pad on the roof, and I am sure you will find that your piggies like sleeping or resting there.
I would also add some from of hidey in the main area, that doesn't detract from their open space. Something like a stick tunnel could work well.
 
Swissgreys said:
I think adding a house is a great idea.
By putting things in that create two levels you are increasing their living area, plus providing some stimulation by offering them new places to explore.
I would be tempted to add a house, and then put a fleece pad on the roof, and I am sure you will find that your piggies like sleeping or resting there.
I would also add some from of hidey in the main area, that doesn't detract from their open space. Something like a stick tunnel could work well.
Click to expand...

I'm hoping they will enjoy exploring he upper layer, I'm worried by halfing the height of the sleeping area it might be cramped
 
The inside has measured 15inches tall, do you think splitting the height in 2 to make 2 7.5inch layers would make it too small? :soz:
 
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