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Spaghetti & Noodles

Spaghetti & Noodles

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So after visiting my local independent pet shop today I am unable to purchase a home for Pig through them, they are struggling to get decent hutches for a reasonable price so I am going to have to buy online. Pig will be living alone but alongside the girls so I am looking at this

4ft Single Guinea Pig Hutch | Rated 5 Stars | Made In GB

What more would I need to do to it?
It will be going outside, he is on fleece currently so we were thinking about trying to keep him on it if possible.
He will have access to outside space too, is it a big drop for him to get in and out on his own? Will he need a small ramp?

I am looking at getting the covers for it, a mistake I made in not getting one for our existing hutch.

Any thoughts appreciated. 😊
 
That looks like a nice sturdy hutch there, I’m sure Pig will be very happy in there. I’m not sure if you will need a ramp or not, you would have to ask the manufacturer how high it is, you could perhaps place a wooden block for him to jump onto to act as a stair perhaps?
 
Yes he will need a ramp or step or some sort to get out, the drop is quite big. The gap on my new hutch is fairly large also so I’ve currently got bricks (covered so they are safe) in front so they’ve got a step to enable them to get in and put more easily, but as they get older I’ll switch to a ramp to make it easier still.

Regarding fleece outside - this can be problematic. I can get away with it in my shed but if a hutch is to be completely outside then I wouldn’t use fleece at all. It can wick moisture from the air and then remain damp.
 
Thank you both, I was thinking it would need a ramp, it looked a big drop.
Good to know about the fleece, the girls are on shavings so no issue with having him on it too, maybe we'll just keep fleece for the winter in the shed.
 
During discussions about hutches it now transpires that actually we might be getting the piggies their own shed sooner than I had planned for! Husband has surprised me by suggesting we look at sheds as that is what I was planning long term!
So those of you that have piggies in sheds, what size should I be looking at? Obviously I aim to go as big as I can afford but as a minimum to give me an idea where to start?
 
Spaghetti & Noodles said:
During discussions about hutches it now transpires that actually we might be getting the piggies their own shed sooner than I had planned for! Husband has surprised me by suggesting we look at sheds as that is what I was planning long term!
So those of you that have piggies in sheds, what size should I be looking at? Obviously I aim to go as big as I can afford but as a minimum to give me an idea where to start?
Click to expand...

My shed is 8ft x 6ft. It contains a 6ft hutch along the back wall. They have a pen directly in front of their hutch taking up the width giving them access to 6ft x 6ft - the strip down the side is for storage. Although my new shed is finally on its way and will have shelving so the storage area will no longer be needed. Its also being made with the door on one side (my current shed‘s door is right in the middle which is a bit of a pain) and it is a stable door. It will have an Internal mesh door so I can leave the outer door open for ventilation and they will still be secure inside.
 
Mine is a 12 x 6. The pigs have half and the rest is my potting shed. I love my shed, so am very happy for you that you are getting one.
 
Piggies&buns said:
My shed is 8ft x 6ft. It contains a 6ft hutch along the back wall. They have a pen directly in front of their hutch taking up the width giving them access to 6ft x 6ft - the strip down the side is for storage. Although my new shed is finally on its way and will have shelving so the storage area will no longer be needed. Its also being made with the door on one side (my current shed‘s door is right in the middle which is a bit of a pain) and it is a stable door. It will have an Internal mesh door so I can leave the outer door open for ventilation and they will still be secure inside.
Click to expand...
zez said:
Mine is a 12 x 6. The pigs have half and the rest is my potting shed. I love my shed, so am very happy for you that you are getting one.
Click to expand...
Thank you both, I shall be planning my space today, I was looking briefly last night and got completely lost as there are so many to choose from!
@Piggies&buns could I ask where your new shed is coming from? There are so many companies online it's hard to decide.
 
Spaghetti & Noodles said:
Thank you both, I shall be planning my space today, I was looking briefly last night and got completely lost as there are so many to choose from!
@Piggies&buns could I ask where your new shed is coming from? There are so many companies online it's hard to decide.
Click to expand...

Mine is being custom made by a small local shed and fencing company.
 
Email received this afternoon stating that my new hutch has been dispatched! Quicker than I expected because of the bank holiday, guess I'll be off to Wickes in the morning!
 
Yet another question, husband has suggested gloss painting the base of the new hutch to protect it from urine, is this a good idea? I was quite happy to go and get some correx but he thinks as we probably have gloss we could use that instead?
 
So the hutch arrived today and will be returned tomorrow. ☹️
Really disappointed, it had been damaged in transit but actually upon closer inspection, damage aside, the quality wasn't great compared to the girls home.
I won't be buying online, off to local pet store to see what they have left, hopefully I can get something similar to the girls hutch although they didn't have much when I went to look last week. ☹️
Just need Mr Pig to have a good sturdy home.
 
what a shame, it’s very frustrating and the downside of online purchases. We ordered another run well before Easter and still haven’t got a delivery date
Can you get an off cut of Lino from a carpet shop perhaps, makes things easier to clean and stops the wood rotting too especially if you caulk it underneath to the wood
 
Bill & Ted said:
what a shame, it’s very frustrating and the downside of online purchases. We ordered another run well before Easter and still haven’t got a delivery date
Can you get an off cut of Lino from a carpet shop perhaps, makes things easier to clean and stops the wood rotting too especially if you caulk it underneath to the wood
Click to expand...
Thank you for the suggestion, I actually bit the bullet and bought him a hutch today from a local independent store, I should have done that in the first place, the quality is so much better and they were so helpful, it is actually the same as the girls one so has a tray which can be removed for cleaning. It seems a lot of hutch for just him but hopefully he'll be happy. I'm happier that he has something more secure to live in, next is the shed purchase for them, that's going to take a bit more research and a bit of saving! But it will also end up having a happier husband as he won't have them in his shed every winter and complaining about the space they take up and hay everywhere!
 
Spaghetti & Noodles said:
Thank you for the suggestion, I actually bit the bullet and bought him a hutch today from a local independent store, I should have done that in the first place, the quality is so much better and they were so helpful, it is actually the same as the girls one so has a tray which can be removed for cleaning. It seems a lot of hutch for just him but hopefully he'll be happy. I'm happier that he has something more secure to live in, next is the shed purchase for them, that's going to take a bit more research and a bit of saving! But it will also end up having a happier husband as he won't have them in his shed every winter and complaining about the space they take up and hay everywhere!
Click to expand...
Yes, sometimes it’s just so much better to buy locally. My OH is always complaining about the house being taken over and full of hay, he is right of course! I have no idea when this run is coming and my son has just given me his old one (his last piggie died a while back aged 7.5 years and I didn’t know if they would get more) they have a young dachshund so decided not now. I keep thinking I should cancel the run but hate messy folk around?
 
Bill & Ted said:
Yes, sometimes it’s just so much better to buy locally. My OH is always complaining about the house being taken over and full of hay, he is right of course! I have no idea when this run is coming and my son has just given me his old one (his last piggie died a while back aged 7.5 years and I didn’t know if they would get more) they have a young dachshund so decided not now. I keep thinking I should cancel the run but hate messy folk around?
Click to expand...
I'm with you about the messing people around, I felt a bit bad yesterday when I rang the company I ordered from, as she was adamant the damage was just transit damage and offered to send replacement parts but I was just not happy with what was in front of me, whilst she said they had been making the hutches for 40yrs, they are actually just a supplier!
 
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