Member Gallery: Sheds

[Piggiewheekwheek]

I know the feeling - this is a copy of a post of mine from yonks ago

It looks good to me. The only thing I would say is the height. Not that it's too high or two low, it's just that before I had C&C I used a run, which was a lot higher, and one day I caught my foot on it when I was stepping out with one of the guineas in my hand. In true slave style, I saved him and broke my toe and staved my thumb and was covered in bruises, and pretty much ruined the run. So.. what I'm saying is, can you step in and out of it easily, as it looks like you would have to get in and out of it for catching and cleaning, or would you be better with a door/gate set up at the end.

Yep that's exactly what happened..its a puppy pen it is probably about just under knee level and I stepped out,caught my foot on top of it and went flying,piggie in hands...landed awkwardly on my foot,heard it snap...ouch...landed on my knees and elbows so I didn't squish said piggie,and then proceeded to cry on the floor in alot of pain....I went to a&e they xrayed it,she showed me the xrays where I could clearly see a faint line across my metatarsal bone...then she said..the senior nurse said no it's not broke but I'm not convinced because of the line we could see she gave me crutches and I am going back tomorrow as I still cannot walk on it and its the size of a balloon lol...well we shall see who's right then

 

[Reenie]

Yep that's exactly what happened..its a puppy pen it is probably about just under knee level and I stepped out,caught my foot on top of it and went flying,piggie in hands...landed awkwardly on my foot,heard it snap...ouch...landed on my knees and elbows so I didn't squish said piggie,and then proceeded to cry on the floor in alot of pain....I went to a&e they xrayed it,she showed me the xrays where I could clearly see a faint line across my metatarsal bone...then she said..the senior nurse said no it's not broke but I'm not convinced because of the line we could see she gave me crutches and I am going back tomorrow as I still cannot walk on it and its the size of a balloon lol...well we shall see who's right then

Oh poor you. I think this could go down as a predictable piggy related incident. We should definitely do a risk assessment. Hope you're feeling better, and less sore soon. x

 

[Piggiewheekwheek]

Oh poor you. I think this could go down as a predictable piggy related incident. We should definitely do a risk assessment. Hope you're feeling better, and less sore soon. x

Haha brings a whole new meaning to PPI lol...predictable piggie incident...funny cos I always tell my son yo be careful when he steps out too lol

 

[Kirsty B]

I also have a piggie shed ☺Mines is 8x6ft with a hutch at the back. It also has a ‘runaround tunnel’ that leads out to the outside run which is also about 7x3ft. It has vents for ventilation and also today is getting new stronger windows that can be opened in the summer. I also have a wooden barrier at the front so when I open the door they can’t just all run out the walls and door are also insulated. I change up the layout every week but this is what it looks like currently. Oh and I made a pair of curtains for the windows haha
View attachment 123457View attachment 123458

Fab setup! Your shed looks just like ours only a lot better lol (will be upcycling an old shed). Want to do similar with tunnel and pen

 

[Piggies&buns]

Post moved as posting reply!

 

[BCO]

thought I’d share our piggies home with you all. They live in a summer house in a 5ft double hutch with added run space, complete with lights and heating. We haven’t had them long so I’m making improvements all the time. Can’t wait to get everything painted in the warm weather. Their new C+C grids came today so I was able to remove the oversized run cages we were using and make it a bit easier for us to get in and out. I’d just finished setting it up so the run is empty and has no bedding but you get the overall area they have.

 

[Merab]

You have some very cute and lucky piggies

 

[Swissgreys]

Fantastic set up @BCO
Do you use anything on the wooden floor to protect it?

 

[BCO]

Fantastic set up @BCO
Do you use anything on the wooden floor to protect it?

Yes. I just hadn’t put anything down to take the photo. Not so worried about the Laminate (hubby that laid it probably would be ) but I don’t want them wet from walking through wee. X

 

[Piggiewheekwheek]

ITS FINALLY DONE
My beautiful shed is up only took me 8 months lol,
Due to the first shed going back and then I injured my foot,it has been sat in my garage for months lol.
It's a bit bare at the minute I need to invest in some piggie toys and hideys
And I can't do my upper levels cos thanks to carona I can't go buy any wood
So they will have to wait a bit longer.
What do you guys think?
It is from forest garden Ltd
It is 8ft x 6ft
And it took AGES to paint lol

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Looks fab! Can't wait to see more photos when it's kitted out.

 

[LMPigs]

Hello,

Have been meaning for ages to post our set up in this thread. The boys are in a 6*4 shed and we previously had a hutch just placed inside, but this want an ideal use of the space so have recently done a bit of Frankenstein-ing so that the top half of the hutch can be placed in sideways, then with a larger running around space downstairs made from another foldable run.

The top part currently only had half a roof, but we'll be sorting that out before winter comes to keep them cosy overnight.

Prior set up:



New set up:


And, of course, here are the inhabitants!

 

[Bonnerchops]

I also have a piggie shed ☺Mines is 8x6ft with a hutch at the back. It also has a ‘runaround tunnel’ that leads out to the outside run which is also about 7x3ft. It has vents for ventilation and also today is getting new stronger windows that can be opened in the summer. I also have a wooden barrier at the front so when I open the door they can’t just all run out the walls and door are also insulated. I change up the layout every week but this is what it looks like currently. Oh and I made a pair of curtains for the windows haha
View attachment 123457View attachment 123458

Wow this looks amazing! I have two piggies in an old playhouse shed and I am looking to switch from wood shavings to bath mats or fleece to line it. I see you have bath mats. Could you tell me, do they get damp in the winter? We have only had our piggies since February so it hasn’t been really cold or damp for them yet. I am currently using some small bits of fleece in one area And I have Lino underneath with puppy pads and then the fleece but I wanted to do the entire area. Any suggestions gratefully received. Thanks

 

[Piggies&buns]

Wow this looks amazing! I have two piggies in an old playhouse shed and I am looking to switch from wood shavings to bath mats or fleece to line it. I see you have bath mats. Could you tell me, do they get damp in the winter? We have only had our piggies since February so it hasn’t been really cold or damp for them yet. I am currently using some small bits of fleece in one area And I have Lino underneath with puppy pads and then the fleece but I wanted to do the entire area. Any suggestions gratefully received. ThanksView attachment 146129

My boys live outside in my shed and I only have them on fleece bedding in summer for two reasons
1 - fleece outside does not always dry properly in winter, meaning you do run the risk of it staying damp for longer.
2 - I don’t feel it is anywhere near warm enough as a main bedding for outside piggies in winter.
I do however use fleece tunnels overnight during winter to help keep them warm but their main bedding is always hay during the winter along with multiple heat pads. I check the fleece tunnels every morning and remove if they are damp so they are dried and ready for them to have back again for the night time

 

[Bonnerchops]

Thanks so much for your reply. It’s great to know what works or not before you buy all these extra things. I think we will stick with what we have for now although maybe with the addition of the fleece tunnels as ours love tunnels too. Even at the end of february we had the heat pads too and they were great. Thanks again for your help. Enjoy your little piggies.

 

[Cosmic_Shadow]

Hi all, I feel a bit rude to barge in, but have seen some wonderful DIY's here as I was redirected to this pocket of wonders and information I was wondering if I could pick your brains. I'm in the process of a shed conversion and wanted to know everyone's advise as to how high a barrier should go on the shelf area here. I was thinking nine inches.
Then the ramp I had thought of boxing it in. So it becomes like a tunnel perhaps making it removable for cleaning purposes or hinging the top so you can reach
inside. It is incomplete and a work in progress sorry about that. The two unpainted pieces are not fixed, I'm simply playing with the options atm.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Hi all, I feel a bit rude to barge in, but have seen some wonderful DIY's here as I was redirected to this pocket of wonders and information I was wondering if I could pick your brains. I'm in the process of a shed conversion and wanted to know everyone's advise as to how high a barrier should go on the shelf area here. I was thinking nine inches.
Then the ramp I had thought of boxing it in. So it becomes like a tunnel perhaps making it removable for cleaning purposes or hinging the top so you can reach
inside. It is incomplete and a work in progress sorry about that. The two unpainted pieces are not fixed, I'm simply playing with the options atm.

View attachment 146158

I personally would make it a higher than 9 inches. Guinea pigs can jump (should they feel so Inclined!) about 12 inches high. Also, If you would be planning on putting hideys or anything the piggies can climb onto on the shelf area, then 9 inches won’t be enough.

Boxing the ramp in would be a very good idea. Piggies generally are scared of heights and a ramp without sides is likely to be a problem - they will feel vulnerable but also it could be a fall risk. It would also need some sort of grippy surface added on to it

 

[Cosmic_Shadow]

I personally would make it a higher than 9 inches. Guinea pigs can jump (should they feel so Inclined!) about 12 inches high. Also, If you would be planning on putting hideys or anything the piggies can climb onto on the shelf area, then 9 inches won’t be enough.

Boxing the ramp in would be a very good idea. Piggies generally are scared of heights and a ramp without sides is likely to be a problem - they will feel vulnerable but also it could be a fall risk. It would also need some sort of grippy surface added on to it

Thank you so much for your help. I will certainly apply this to the build.
I've never used ramps myself with piggies so I'm nervous about it honestly but I wanted to give some enrichment too by adding surfaces and levels. As for what I'd put on the levels I think just their fleece cosys, maybe a chew toy and fleece tunnels because of the fall risk. But I can add more height too I did think a 1ft or so but I wasn't sure either.
Yes, I didn't feel a guard rail alone on the ramp was enough because I've seen piggies burrow under each other and headbutt them out of the way. I couldn't imagine that from a height. Or rather I wouldn't want to.
I was thinking of either putting something like tracks (I cannot think of the word to describe it or even carpeting/fleece inside the ramp to give them traction.

I want it to be completely safe of course before I adopt the occupants who will move in.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you so much for your help. I will certainly apply this to the build.
I've never used ramps myself with piggies so I'm nervous about it honestly but I wanted to give some enrichment too by adding surfaces and levels. As for what I'd put on the levels I think just their fleece cosys, maybe a chew toy and fleece tunnels because of the fall risk. But I can add more height too I did think a 1ft or so but I wasn't sure either.
Yes, I didn't feel a guard rail alone on the ramp was enough because I've seen piggies burrow under each other and headbutt them out of the way. I couldn't imagine that from a height. Or rather I wouldn't want to.
I was thinking of either putting something like tracks (I cannot think of the word to describe it or even carpeting/fleece inside the ramp to give them traction.

I want it to be completely safe of course before I adopt the occupants who will move in.

A side rail will be enough as long as it is tall enough but some people use a fabric tunnel up a ramp as it can help nervous piggies feel much more secure given piggies are not naturally climbers. My own two boys have a loft in their cage but it is so hit and miss as to whether they are interested in it - they can go weeks and not set foot up there. Shed roof felt can be a good thing to use on a ramp for grip. If you use a fabric though, then it will need to be removable and washable.

 

[pedro1976]

All weather cleaning is what attracted me to having a shed in the first place. As the shed was a freebie, I paid a little extra for the wood to build the hutch, it cost £100 for all of the wood, the wood yard cut everything to size for me for the build, the hutch build is in the hutch topic. My two now have tons of space.
View attachment 121060View attachment 121061View attachment 121062View attachment 121063View attachment 121064View attachment 121065
I've put the mid section in to make the angles of the ramps a lot more gentle for the piggies to climb.

View attachment 121297
This setup is home to 3 piggies. A 6ft hutch with extra space outside. I converted an old garden shed into a piggy palace. I use fleece throughout the whole cage as its easier to spot clean and keep clean on a day to day basis. The hutch was from p@h. Under the fleece is just old towels and under the towels I used an old plastic mat that is supposed to stop chairs from scratching wood but we didn't use it so I put it under the fleece to stop the wood from getting wet and rotting. I also added attachments on all the doors (you can see them on the hutch doors on the top level) so I was able to put a padlock or something through it to give added security. The shed doors are also padlocked to prevent them from blowing open or anything unwanted getting. The shed doesn't have any electricity so I put up an ikea light meant to be put in drawers which is really bright and battery powered and is also attached to the ceiling and lights up the whole shed.

I love this, I have them in a shed but not yet set up for them to roam. Guess what I shall be doing this evening! Do you leave the light on over night?

 

[BossHogg]

My light is turned off at night.

 

[Sally Newbie]

Hi all. We will be moving our pigs' hutch into the shed from outside in the next few weeks. Their outside run is too big for the shed so we will have to make yet another one for "exercise" in the shed (i use the term exercise very loosely as in their outside run they just stuff their faces with grass 95% of the time!). What can I use to protect the wood of the shed floor? And what is the best lining for the exercise area- I don't really want to use hay due to the mess (there will be a hay tray in the area and the hutch floor is hay so there is plenty about). I like the idea of the bath mats which I could shake out each night onto the compost heap but they will get wet with wee which won't have time to dry overnight. Advice welcome as always!

 

[Bill & Ted]

Lino is good and waterproof and easy to clean. Cheap option is a PVC shower curtain. Your can then put Bath matts or fleece over either to shake out

 

[Sally Newbie]

Thanks @Bill & Ted . And do I have to wash the bath matts after each day? I don't really know why I am bothering as they will probably do what they do now which is get out of hutch, stuff faces with grass, get back in hutch. That's it! So with no grass they probably won't even use the shed run I'm stressing about making!

 

[KHBz]

Hi all. We will be moving our pigs' hutch into the shed from outside in the next few weeks. Their outside run is too big for the shed so we will have to make yet another one for "exercise" in the shed (i use the term exercise very loosely as in their outside run they just stuff their faces with grass 95% of the time!). What can I use to protect the wood of the shed floor? And what is the best lining for the exercise area- I don't really want to use hay due to the mess (there will be a hay tray in the area and the hutch floor is hay so there is plenty about). I like the idea of the bath mats which I could shake out each night onto the compost heap but they will get wet with wee which won't have time to dry overnight. Advice welcome as always!

I have just moved our outdoor hutch into the shed for the winter. Admittedly, my shed isn't very shed-like since we converted it into my study, given that it has a concrete floor and a proper roof with a velux window. (We also put cladding on the inside.) It is insulated, water-tight and free from drafts but it is nevertheless quite an effort to keep the piggies warm at night in the winter. (I have an electric radiator controlled by a thermostat which I use during the day.) Anyway, with regards to the floor (concrete with vinyl ontop), I have put down children's foam interlocking play-tiles upon which I have then placed a plastic tablecloth, for good measure. It is on top of that that I have put fleeces (consisting of a fleece upper, wadding and a waterproof layer at the bottom). This worked really well last year and I didn't have any problem with using fleece, but then the temperature in the shed itself, if I remember correctly, didn't go below 11 degrees (staying much higher in their insulated, blanket-swaddled, snuggle-safe and hay-filled hutch). I would recommend the spongy play-mats, with something on top, even if fleeces aren't appropriate for your shed. I'll attach a photo to show the set-up, if that's of any help ... You can see the playmats to the left and at the front ... alphabet ones!

As for it being my study, throughout last year I retained the hope that maybe, if I managed to keep all the hay off the desk and put up with having a chair leg in their run, maybe it would be do-able and I could still use the shed for my work, albeit with guinea pigs for company. I even fashioned a tube to go around that chair leg so that the piggies wouldn't gnaw it! Last week I finally gave up on that hope entirely and spent two days lugging furniture around and rearranging *three* rooms in the house to accommodate my big desk. The shed belongs to the piggies. They win.

 

[Sally Newbie]

@KHBz , I love this set up and your ambition for you working in harmony with your guinea pigs before reality set in! Mine is a plain wooden shed with no mod cons unfortunately. I could do shower curtain or your childrens tiles, then what about a bath towel and then the bath mats? Would that be ok? I hope to keep the hutch warm with insulator cover and then in the sleeping area fleece tunnels& snuggle pads and loads of hay. Should they be given the choice to come out into the exercise area if it's cold anyway or I just keep them shut in until temperature > 11 degrees?

 

[Piggies&buns]

@KHBz , I love this set up and your ambition for you working in harmony with your guinea pigs before reality set in! Mine is a plain wooden shed with no mod cons unfortunately. I could do shower curtain or your childrens tiles, then what about a bath towel and then the bath mats? Would that be ok? I hope to keep the hutch warm with insulator cover and then in the sleeping area fleece tunnels& snuggle pads and loads of hay. Should they be given the choice to come out into the exercise area if it's cold anyway or I just keep them shut in until temperature > 11 degrees?

Mine come out for playtime during the warmest part of a winter day provided it is warm enough in the shed (there were only a handful of days when they couldn’t come out at all last year), always locked in hutch at night.

 

[Sally Newbie]

Yes,they will always be locked in at night. But should I let them choose whether to come out or not if it's a low temperature? I have got to put a top on the run as i just worry about rats with them being out in the shed as well.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes,they will always be locked in at night. But should I let them choose whether to come out or not if it's a low temperature? I have got to put a top on the run as i just worry about rats with them being out in the shed as well.

I let mine choose unless it is below 10 degrees (which rarely happens in my shed) in which case I keep the hutch door locked.
Rats - you need to do all you can to prevent it - ensure the hutch and run is made of fine gauge mesh which is only a few millimetres wide (rats can get through incredibly small spaces), any holes in the shed are filled, don’t leave food out etc

 

[KHBz]

@KHBz , I love this set up and your ambition for you working in harmony with your guinea pigs before reality set in! Mine is a plain wooden shed with no mod cons unfortunately. I could do shower curtain or your childrens tiles, then what about a bath towel and then the bath mats? Would that be ok? I hope to keep the hutch warm with insulator cover and then in the sleeping area fleece tunnels& snuggle pads and loads of hay. Should they be given the choice to come out into the exercise area if it's cold anyway or I just keep them shut in until temperature > 11 degrees?

Like Piggies&buns I would also let them choose unless it is below 10 degrees. Before we extended their hutch into the L-shape this summer, it was a 4 x 2 like yours (if I remember correctly). Ours worked out as even smaller on the inside and I would rather not have had to shut them in the small space overnight (necessary, of course), so for them to have had to be inside for 24 hours would (I think) have been too much. Having said all that, though, our two are like yours and do much prefer to stay in their hutch! They'll run out for a quick nose-around in the morning and then back in the hutch for most of the day, only really coming out for longer periods if we are there. They must still feel too exposed in this run. The bulk of the hay is also in their hutch (just a couple of heaps in the run). Having now experimented with three different run set-ups in the shed, it has been the smallest one they liked the most. I think if you do keep it to a compact run, and one with a lid as you say, perhaps it would be easier to keep it more snuggly? You could throw a blanket on top of that when very cold? Very many people on here have also stapled radiator insulating foil to the walls of their shed (@Piggies&buns?) of which there are photos in this thread.

As for bath towels and mats, I don't really know. My fleece liners last year didn't quite cover all of the run, so in the remaining section I put down an old cot protector (a rectangle of terry-towelling type thing), then a towel, then a cut-off of thin fleece. The towel and cot protector did stay wet, but the fleece ontop was ok. Others have more experience of layering like that, though. However, if the piggies are not going to go out much, it is only going to have tiny patches of wee here and there!