New owner- advise on best living arrangements?

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Shadowchaser

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Hi everyone. Sorry if I’ve posted this in the wrong place, please feel free to move 😊 Also sorry it’s long!

I recently aquired 4 female pigs. Unsure of age, young I think as the previous owner got them from a well known UK pet shop less than a year ago, they were being given away and were at the bottom of someone’s garden in a very small hutch (3ft single story with no shelter) They had no hay and were filthy but the owners children lost interest so it was a spur of the moment decision to say I’ll have them. I have no experience other than having one years ago as a very young child in a hutch outside but I have had many pets before.

I brought them home, bathed them, had them vet checked (fine except one has no ears- healed/previous injury) and they all seem to get on very well. No injuries or aggression I’ve seen.

I got a larger hutch and cover for them, a bluebell hideaway and they have been in there a week. They can see us from the house so not out of sight. They seem happy enough although very skittish, spend most of the time in the bed area. They don’t go down the ramp at all- I’ve made it less steep and put carpet on. I’ve also got a large run which I’ve put them in outside for leg stretches.

On further research it seems the bluebell isn’t big enough. I also didn’t realise they shouldn’t be outside in winter? Is this correct even with insulation?

In that case what are my options? Can I get a hutch big enough that they will be okay in winter, I’m northern UK. I’m not sure I can afford to buy and convert them a shed looking at the prices but it’s potentially an option but how do I keep it warm enough? Also we have many foxes around so not sure I could make it secure enough.

If I was to bring them in what are my cage options for 4? I can’t seem to find anything big enough that’s sturdy and safe enough. We have toddlers and dogs…how sturdy are C&C cages with the roof? My dogs have shown no interest but they are dogs so I don’t trust them without a roof and some secure walls. Would a traditional cage be safer?

I’ve also read inside can be stressful for them. We are a really busy house, lots of noise. Children running around. Dog occasionally barking. Random fat lazy cat that barely moves. Will this not put them in a constant state of stress compared to outside?

Also, smell. I presume with 4 it would smell quite badly? I don’t have time for washing lots of fleece as I already have the washing of 3 children 🤦‍♀😄 are there any other non smelling less messy options?

Thankyou to anyone who reached the end!
 
:wel:

Well done for taking them in.

You are right, a 5 foot bluebell is not big enough for 4. For 4 piggies you ideally need a 7 foot hutch on a single level which is not something that is commercially available - you’d have to have one custom made. The minimum for 4 piggies is a 6 foot single level hutch but do bear in mind it is minimum size.
Upper levels don’t count towards the cage size, piggies need single level accommodation. While some piggies will learn to use ramps, not all will.

It is absolutely fine to keep piggies outside in hutches or sheds but you do need to take appropriate measures to keep them warm (below 15 degrees is too cold for them so extra precautions are needed) and safe. Insulated hutch, thermal and waterproof hutch covers, blankets underneath the hutch covers will also help keep warmth in and draughts out. They also need several Snugglesafe microwaveable heatpads (I’d go for one each) and lots of hay to snuggle into.
Sheds obviously protect them (and you while cleaning out and spending time with them) from the elements.
The run doesn’t count as living space as they can’t go in the run year round. They can go only go in the run until daytime temperatures are above 15 degrees, while it’s dry and sunny. (usually until the end of autumn). Don’t put them on damp grass.

My piggies live in hutches in a shed. The hutches and shed itself are insulated. I don’t have electric in my shed but if you could have electric then an oil filled radiator can help keep the chill off.
I find though that it is not the cold in winter which is an issue (I’ve always been able to keep them warm enough), but it is heat in summer which is the bigger problem. Hutches and sheds can become very hot.

If you move them indoors - a 6x2 c&c (which measures around 220x70cm) or two commercial style cages joined together (you are looking for it to be 210x60cm for four piggies) would the best options.
Whether they are going to be more stressed indoors really comes down to your living situation. I prefer mine being in the shed and they are happy out there with a lot of space.

There should not be a smell regardless of whether they’re indoors or outdoors. If you do notice a smell then it is usually because their cage is not being cleaned out often enough (wet hay is usually the thing which smells most quickly).
Your options for bedding are disposable (shavings etc) or fleece. Both have pros and cons. You can’t use fleece bedding if they are outside though, outdoor piggies always need disposable absorbent bedding and lots of hay.

Some links to guides on the forum which will help you

New Owners' Essential Information and Practical Tips Starter Collection
Cold Weather Care for Indoor and Outdoor Guinea Pigs
Bedding For Guinea Pigs - Overview
Cage Size Guide

Housing, Enrichment and Seasonal care
 
Thankyou so much for the advice!

I could split them into two pairs and two smaller hutches, would this be a viable option or should they stay together? It’s a shame as they all huddle up together. 3 of them tend to be together 24/7 and there’s another which is a little more independent but they all sleep in the same compartment.

I do have a dining room that is quieter however it’s still not always peaceful. They are so shy and I don’t think they have been handled so I’m a little worried about them being stressed to death. Inside would they eventually just get used to us all enough to come out and not just hide. The C&S look nice just not very safe but I haven’t seen one in the flesh.

The bluebell I currently have has a thermal cover and waterproof cover, although it’s not big enough it’s probably easier to keep warm compared to trying to insulate a shed. If I was to put them in a shed, do I also have the hutch in there or just have them running free?

I haven’t noticed them smelling outside but they do love flicking the bedding allover the patio 😊

Apologies, I’m clueless!
 
It would be a shame to split them, it is something you could consider but I’m not sure there is any benefit. You’d have to make sure you put two together who get on well.
If you were to split them then the ramp hole in the bluebell could be closed up and have one pair living upstairs and one pair living downstairs. If you split them into separate pairs, then the pairs shouldn’t have physical contact - they can be with bars between them but you wouldn’t be able to put them on the same run together so you’d obviously need two separate runs for summer use.
What you cannot do (as per your wording) is buy smaller hutches - two piggies need to live in a 5 foot hutch.

Yes they would get used to being inside. It just depends on your perspective. As I say, mine are all outside and live happy quiet lives but I have the ability to keep them warm and safe in the shed. I also have a busy household and children.
A c&c is a great option for indoor piggies as they are flexible and can be made to any size and shape. However, they offer no protection against other pets or children. You could maybe put it on a table and put a lid on it to make it harder for the dogs to get to them (still wouldn’t advise you to leave them unattended).

It’s not hard to insulate a shed. My shed is insulated with silver foil insulation all over the walls and ceiling - was very easy to do. The best way is to put in celotex and then ply line the whole shed but that is expensive and more work.
That’s not to say it isn’t possible to keep a hutch warm enough though - it is possible. I have four piggies who live in a shed and I also have a pair of rabbits who live in a semi-shed/aviary enclosure. The rabbits don’t need quite the full insulation warmth that piggies do but I still have to make sure the hutch inside their enclosure (hutch door left open 24/7) replicates a burrow and is warm.

I would recommend you still insulate a hutch with silver foil insulation even though you have a thermal/waterproof cover. Have an extra piece of silver foil that you can pull down over the wire sections overnight as well. My experience of the bluebell covers is that they aren’t all that good and don’t fit particularly tightly albeit that the bluebell unfortunately isn’t the right size for four.


If they were in a shed then they can just be free roaming in there provided they can be kept safe. What a lot of us do is still have a hutch in the shed but always keep the hutch door open so they can come and go as they please.
 
Ah thankyou again! I really appreciate the help- my husband is just saying do whatever you want, not helpful.

I meant two smaller hutches as in two bluebell type things rather than one huge long one if that makes sense. Although I might as well get a shed in that case as I think they would probably prefer to stay together. 3 are definitely very bonded. One spends more time alone, she’s much more confident than the others. Like I say though they do huddle together.
My husband is pretty handy and could insulate it, it’s just an expensive project by the time I’ve purchased the shed and then modified it to make it safe from foxes so it would be probably next spring by the time I could commit to it fully. How do you deal with the heat, we’ve had some crazily hot days this year for being nearly on the Scottish border!

From having a very brief look online, I’ve found an L shaped 6x4 CC as an indoor option, if I can find the measurements that is.
Would this be suitable? I can’t fit in the long one. The dogs don’t go into that room but the pigs will know they are there as they could hear them. My toddler is also the other problem, do CC lids lock shut?

It’s so hard to know which they would choose, if only I could ask them 😃
 

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Just wanted to chip in as someone with indoor piggies in a dog and toddler home 🙂

We have a 5x2 C&C on a double stand and find it works well for us. It's tall enough that our golden retriever can't see in, although we are fortunate in that she's always been around other pets and has been taught to leave them alone. Our 16mo old can just about peep over the correx so I usually have cardboard around the edge (bonus that it keeps hay and poop off the floor). We did have a lid but honestly it just annoyed me and noone was trying to climb the cage so it's now gone, although the room is shut if we're not in there.

Toddler now helps me give them their fresh food and hay and it is adorable 🥰 Our pigs are very chill, thankfully, and adjusted well to a new baby and old dog, but I do worry about bringing new pigs into our home now. We do have them in a quiet(er) corner of the living room though, so pretty much the least peaceful part of the house :))
 
Thankyou for your reply Poggle!

Our dogs are very very tall- giant breeds. They are very gentle but can rest their heads on the kitchen bench hence thinking a roof may be the only option. They have shown no interest at all so far. The room they would go in can be closed off, it’s not a main room more of a toy dumping ground but it’s still noisier and busier than outside.
Did your CC have a lock on the roof or can toddlers just open it? We have a 2yo and a 6m old so plenty of little fingers to keep track of. Our 2yo is in love with them but is desperate to give them toys which isn’t ideal if she’s going to throw them in.

I think my husband would prefer them outside just from a mess and smell perspective.

On paper it sounds like a rubbish home for them, I honestly just want them to have a good stress free life! If I can’t provide properly for them I could rehome them somewhere more suitable but I do want to try my best for them as they are really sweet.
 
Hello and welcome
You on you for taking these poor little piggies in. I would go for a Chartwell 6ft all on one level with a winter cover if you can placed in a sheltered area of the garden
6ft Chartwell Single Luxury Rabbit Hutch | Next Day Delivery Available
Good string cages that will last as long as they are all happy to snuggle together in the bedroom area and no one is pushed out.
 
Goodness, those are some tall dogs 😮

There wasn't a lock, you just lifted it up so it wasn't all that much use imo. That's where the double stand comes in for us, as it's going to be a long while yet before baby poggle can reach the top of it! And when he does I'll just add another row :))

C&C are quite configurable though, I'm sure there are more ways you could keep toddlers out - I actually use C&C for babyproofing awkward bits of furniture/space!
 
They are very good dogs but still weigh something like 70kgs hence the need for sturdy!

I can’t find a single normal indoor cage of that size so it would have to be a C&C…best discuss that vs a shed before I order 😄
 
Shadowchaser said:
They are very good dogs but still weigh something like 70kgs hence the need for sturdy!

I can’t find a single normal indoor cage of that size so it would have to be a C&C…best discuss that vs a shed before I order 😄
Click to expand...

There are no commercial cages big enough for four piggies unless you join two together.
 
When I moved my pigs indoors permanently, I gave them a corner of the living room and used their garden run as their new home. It has a lid which is great as I too have cats. The lid is held on by four bungee clips which are quick to undo but the cats can't get them off!
I didn't want them peeing on my carpet so I laid down a sheet of plastic, then got a large sheet of marine ply and put that on top of the plastic. The run thing sits on top of the ply. The offcut from the ply covered the gap at the back where the run used to attach to the old hutch.
I have always found that they settle quite well once they get used to their new environment. They may hide away for a while but food usually lures them out and they will gain confidence. My pigs will occasionally sniff at the cats through the wire but as it's small weld mesh there is no chance that a cat paw can get into the pigs' space.
If it's all kept clean then there is no smell except the sweet smell of lovely hay :)
Will try to find a pic of my set-up.
DSCN2398.webp
 
Shadowchaser said:
Ah thankyou again! I really appreciate the help- my husband is just saying do whatever you want, not helpful.

I meant two smaller hutches as in two bluebell type things rather than one huge long one if that makes sense. Although I might as well get a shed in that case as I think they would probably prefer to stay together. 3 are definitely very bonded. One spends more time alone, she’s much more confident than the others. Like I say though they do huddle together.
My husband is pretty handy and could insulate it, it’s just an expensive project by the time I’ve purchased the shed and then modified it to make it safe from foxes so it would be probably next spring by the time I could commit to it fully. How do you deal with the heat, we’ve had some crazily hot days this year for being nearly on the Scottish border!

From having a very brief look online, I’ve found an L shaped 6x4 CC as an indoor option, if I can find the measurements that is.
Would this be suitable? I can’t fit in the long one. The dogs don’t go into that room but the pigs will know they are there as they could hear them. My toddler is also the other problem, do CC lids lock shut?

It’s so hard to know which they would choose, if only I could ask them 😃
Click to expand...

The heat is difficult, my piggies usually move into the house during any heatwaves
 
Thank you again Piggies.

I’ve spent all day mesuring and researching 😄 They have barely left the bed area today- perhaps because it’s colder?

I don’t think that the shed option is viable for me financially at the moment sadly.

An indoor home may be an option although I’m not 100% sure I can fit a big enough one in. Perhaps 5x2.

This leaves potentially rehoming 2 of them so I can make sure the other two have enough space in the hutch in summer and indoors during winter. Is this the right and most fair way to go do you think to ensure their needs are met?

If I was to rehome two. How do I choose which pair should stay together? They all seem to get on equally fine except the loner. Where would be the best place to find a suitable new owner?
 
Shadowchaser said:
Thank you again Piggies.

I’ve spent all day mesuring and researching 😄 They have barely left the bed area today- perhaps because it’s colder?

I don’t think that the shed option is viable for me financially at the moment sadly.

An indoor home may be an option although I’m not 100% sure I can fit a big enough one in. Perhaps 5x2.

This leaves potentially rehoming 2 of them so I can make sure the other two have enough space in the hutch in summer and indoors during winter. Is this the right and most fair way to go do you think to ensure their needs are met?

If I was to rehome two. How do I choose which pair should stay together? They all seem to get on equally fine except the loner. Where would be the best place to find a suitable new owner?
Click to expand...

How about getting another hutch and joining them together to give them more room? There is nothing wrong with them being outside in a hutch year round provided you insulate the hutch, covers and snugglesafes.

If you do sadly have to rehome then the safest way is to surrender them to a rescue centre. That way the home they go to is properly checked and appropriate.
 
I didn’t think of that! I wonder if there’s a way to join another bluebell to my existing one, off to have a look!
 
The Midwest guinea pig habitat might be an option, and it comes with a lid (it comes in two versions - one with a lid and internal "bedroom", which isn't necessary, or one without) - each of them is 4ftx2ft so one's not big enough, but the two together would fit. They're designed to stack together like that too, so you could have an 8x2, or a 4x4 (with an internal dividing wall) or as an L shape in the corner of the room. That's if you move them indoors, though. It's not a hard cage to setup, either.
 
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