Shed set up. Is it ok?

KT_66

KT_66

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I am a new guinea pig owner and I'd just like some reassurance that my housing set up is appropriate.
My girls live in the shed that has up until recently always housed rabbits. Obviously it underwent a thorough clean and a bit of an overhaul but it's only 3 years old anyway.
My shed is actually a 6ft by 8ft walk in dog kennel with a 6 by 4 interior area and a 6 by 4 covered outdoor run. The inside can be closed off with a big secure door which I do at night.
The outdoor area is currently out of bounds as I'm in the process of creating a special garden area for them. At the moment they are using a separate run for time on the grass.
As for the inside... It contains a small low to the floor hutch which is always open so they have full run of the shed with various hidey houses and boxes etc.
Are they okay to have full run of the shed? My floor covering is cushioned lino.
This is quite similar to how I had it set up for the rabbits but having never owned Guinea pigs before I want to make sure this is fine for them.
Sorry for the novel! Thanks for reading.
 
Sure, I can take some later this evening. 👍
 
Thank you, I'll have a look 👍
 
They will be fine to live free range in the shed so long as your shed is predator proof (including mice and rats) The only thing I can say is that piggies wee everywhere so you may want something absorbent covering the lino otherwise it may get a bit messy and the piggies may sit in the urine. I used newspaper and softchip wood shavings over the lino when I had piggies living free range in a shed.

I too would like to see photos :)
 
Hi, thanks so much for your reply and advice. I have noticed they wee in their hidey houses so I've stood these on newspaper but yes if they start being even messier I will cover the whole floor.
I'm a little worried about their feet. Is lino too hard? The hutch has plenty of bedding inside it. Or am I being over sensitive on their behalf? 😂
I'm used to rabbits with fluffy big feet!
 
I'll get photos tomorrow if it ever stops raining!
 
KT_66 said:
Hi, thanks so much for your reply and advice. I have noticed they wee in their hidey houses so I've stood these on newspaper but yes if they start being even messier I will cover the whole floor.
I'm a little worried about their feet. Is lino too hard? The hutch has plenty of bedding inside it. Or am I being over sensitive on their behalf? 😂
I'm used to rabbits with fluffy big feet!
Click to expand...

No, the Lino won’t be too hard on their feet especially if it’s the soft stuff and if they have an alternative bedding in their hutch :)
 
So sorry this appeared 3 times! Also I meant to send with a caption! Ahhh sorry, technology not my strong point.
 
But on the plus side it is a super cute photo of your piggies! ☺️😍

I don’t have my pigs in a shed (tiny garden) but if you’re worried about them being comfy you could always provide a really snuggly bed/hide for them? I know there are people who make guinea pig fleece pockets and cubes (Etsy has some) which mean they would then have the ease and durability of the lino and an option for if they’re feeling the need for super snuggly time? Best of both worlds.
 
Your setup sounds absolutely lovely, yes definately full run of the shed. Mine are on lino and I have huge pieces of vet bed as it's much easier to clean than a floor covered in substrate. Just shake it off and pop it in the machine. I use a horseware wash bag to stop hay clogging up my machine. I find piggies are not quite as hardy as rabbits in regards to adverse weather so just make sure the small hutch has plenty of snuggly bedding in it for those damp draughty days.
 
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