outdoor guinea pigs

Laura M.

Laura M.

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I keep my guinea pigs in an ark outside IMG_20190714_112955.webp
And I was wondering if there are any tips or extra protection my piggies might need
 

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PERFECT G PIGS said:
Do you have an indoor cage or hutch for them? Is this there run?
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No, these guinea pigs are completely outdoors, and that is where they live. They have a large outdoors run which we use whenever we can
 
Is that the only protection they have? Do you have a hutch too? How many piggies do you have? How large is the fully enclosed bit? It doesn't look large enough but it is difficult to tell from just a picture. I have a 2 storey 6ft x 2ft hutch. I have a boar and sow living upstairs and a boar and 2 sows living downstairs. Here are the recommended minimum sizes for piggies.

Cage Size Guide

This is my hutch

Too much hay 1.webp
 
Your piggies really do need a separate hutch to live in. Their current set up isn’t big enough and I wouldn’t trust my piggies overnight in it. Foxes and other predators could easily get in
 
Claire W said:
Your piggies really do need a separate hutch to live in. Their current set up isn’t big enough and I wouldn’t trust my piggies overnight in it. Foxes and other predators could easily get in
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I was told that I wouldn't need to worry about foxes (even though we have a regular one) because, seeing as I live in a rural area, a fox wouldn't be so determined because there are tonnes of rabbits and mice and goodness knows what else!
 
futurefame said:
I was told that I wouldn't need to worry about foxes (even though we have a regular one) because, seeing as I live in a rural area, a fox wouldn't be so determined because there are tonnes of rabbits and mice and goodness knows what else!
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I still wouldn’t take the risk. My indoor piggies are spending quite a lot of time in their outdoor run this time of year but they keep getting stalked by a neighbourhood cat. Thankfully my piggies aren’t scared as I have 3 cats myself but I still have to keep an eye on them
 
futurefame said:
I was told that I wouldn't need to worry about foxes (even though we have a regular one) because, seeing as I live in a rural area, a fox wouldn't be so determined because there are tonnes of rabbits and mice and goodness knows what else!
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I wouldn't risk it either. My piggies are outside piggies but when we move (hopefully in a few weeks), they are going into the garage because of the foxes. I'm not risking my piggies outside to a hungry fox.
 
futurefame said:
I keep my guinea pigs in an ark outside View attachment 118037
And I was wondering if there are any tips or extra protection my piggies might need
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Hi!

Please read the tips in this guide here. The housing area bit is very small and will heat up very quickly in any sunshine. There is not enough sun protection for the run area.
Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

I would worry about the the run not being anchored to the ground and relatively easy to topple over or get into for any dogs, cats, foxes or rats.
 
Um didn’t you post this an hour after you posted this original post? I would definitely be worried about foxes...

73134E80-666B-44CE-8F83-714D8E430F89.webp
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
Um didn’t you post this an hour after you posted this original post? I would definitely be worried about foxes...

View attachment 118105
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Yes, and oddly enough I just noticed that a poster called Lettie posted an identical post on June 15th. Something is going on ....

Editted to add - just realised that futurefame was actually quoting the post by Lettie in that thread, not writing it themselves. But it shows the dangers of leaving your piggies in a cage in the garden that isn't properly secure from foxes and dogs - which that ark thing certainly isn't.
 
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Your piggies really need a proper hutch.

This run is not predator proof or secured and won’t be suitable in winter.

Foxes are opportunists and will eat the easiest thing they can find. They do not have preferences. Not to mention rats and cats. You have received lots of good advice above
 
I agree with everything above, also you have told us you have 3 boars. The internal living space in that ark is far too small for 3 boars, aside from everything else that has been said above.
 
futurefame said:
I was told that I wouldn't need to worry about foxes (even though we have a regular one) because, seeing as I live in a rural area, a fox wouldn't be so determined because there are tonnes of rabbits and mice and goodness knows what else!
Click to expand...

I live in a rural area with a fox population and a massive rabbit population and trust me when I say that if a fox (or any wild predator) has to choose between the hard option of stalking a ever alert wild rabbit/mouse/vole or the easy option of digging into a run to take an essentially trapped guinea pig it will pick the easy option every time!

Sorry to be blunt and harsh but it will only be a matter of time before the fox realises your pigs are there. Please secure your pigs!
 
futurefame said:
I was quoting someone called Lettie
You should be a detective!
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That’s fine a misunderstanding, doesn’t detract from the issues with your accommodation that could be a danger for your pigs
 
futurefame said:
I was quoting someone called Lettie
You should be a detective!
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Ah it wasn’t clear. Well foxes are definitely a huge risk especially in built up areas. For 2 males you’ll need a minimum of 2x5 hutch, secure fox proof off the ground. Then they’ll be nice and safe :)
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
Ah it wasn’t clear. Well foxes are definitely a huge risk especially in built up areas. For 2 males you’ll need a minimum of 2x5 hutch, secure fox proof off the ground. Then they’ll be nice and safe :)
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Do you know the correct size for three males?
The indoor part is off the ground and quite safe, the only worrying part is the run thingy
 
A lady lost four piggies and a hen just recently from her garden in our village. Foxes have young at the moment and are doing all they can to find food for their cubs, it’s nature! We have a responsibility to keep our pets as safe as we can, it’s so tragic if they get predated unnecessarily.
 
2x5 is the minimum for two boars so maybe 2x7 and up for three. Do they all get along though? You have to be careful about trios, they fail in most cases.

Please get them a separate hutch as soon as possible. That is not big enough for 2, let alone 3! The chances of them falling out is high.
 
Siikibam said:
2x5 is the minimum for two boars so maybe 2x7 and up for three. Do they all get along though? You have to be careful about trios, they fail in most cases.

Please get them a separate hutch as soon as possible. That is not big enough for 2, let alone 3! The chances of them falling out is high.
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Do you mean 2 by 7 METRES
 
futurefame said:
Do you know the correct size for three males?
The indoor part is off the ground and quite safe, the only worrying part is the run thingy
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Well generally 3 males don’t live together as they usually fall out when they go through their teenage hormones but if you’re still giving them a go just keep a strict eye on them to make sure there are no injuries :)

I’d say 2ft by 8ft to be sure? I’d be tempted to look at a wendy house or a shed due to the fact you sadly won’t find a hutch big enough. Hutches normally only go up to 6ft which would be too small for 3 males.
 
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