Some Questions

[Daniel]

Mainly to do with sizing so if anyone can help me with that it would be great.

If I was to make some sort of a house (not hutch), how big should it be to fit one Guinea Pig or more than one in?

What is the ideal size for a hutch? 5ft x 2ft x 2ft ?
What things do Guinea Pigs like to do and play with, do they like tunnels, hideaways etc?

One thing I would like to do is manufacture my Guinea Pig hutches so that a rabbit owner couldn’t buy a Guinea Pig hutch for a rabbit.

So with that the size of doors and holes comes in to play, do Guinea Pigs need a bedroom area? If they do then I can try and make the hole smaller than rabbit but big enough for a Guinea Pig. What size would a gap need to be to fit one Guinea Pig?

 

[Connie]

First things first, i would suggest you do different sizes of hutch. 2ftx4ft is the minimum RSPCA requirement for a pair of piggies. However, if you have more than two, your going to need a bigger one than they.

I would say, that actually rabbit hutches would need to be somewhat different. I'm not an expert, but i believe rabbits need MUCH more height, because they need to be able to stand up and clean themselves. Guinea pigs dont need so much height.

The do like hideys and tunnels very much. I wouldnt say they needed a bedroom area personally, as not having it allows more space for things like pigloos etc. However, if it is to be used all year round (most people on this forum move them into a shed or garage for winter) then i would need a bedroom area so it could be stuffed with hay.

When i had an outdoor hutch, mmy bedroom dived was removable, i thought this was a very good set up.

I didnt answer all your questions, but i hope that helped.

 

[Daniel]

First things first, i would suggest you do different sizes of hutch. 2ftx4ft is the minimum RSPCA requirement for a pair of piggies. However, if you have more than two, your going to need a bigger one than they.

I would say, that actually rabbit hutches would need to be somewhat different. I'm not an expert, but i believe rabbits need MUCH more height, because they need to be able to stand up and clean themselves. Guinea pigs dont need so much height.

The do like hideys and tunnels very much. I wouldnt say they needed a bedroom area personally, as not having it allows more space for things like pigloos etc. However, if it is to be used all year round (most people on this forum move them into a shed or garage for winter) then i would need a bedroom area so it could be stuffed with hay.

When i had an outdoor hutch, mmy bedroom dived was removable, i thought this was a very good set up.

I didnt answer all your questions, but i hope that helped.

Thank you for your reply, yes rabbits need minimum of 2ft high hutches and as i said i would like to stop people buying my smaller (under 6ft x 2ft x 2ft) hutches and use for rabbits.

Would 1FT be to high still?
I really do not know a thing about Guinea Pigs.

I am just trying to create pet friendly housing and the like products.

 

[Amanda1801]

Halle- chuffing-lujah!

Someone designing animal homes who is actually looking into minimum size requirements and natural behaviours!

Daniel, maybe having a look in the Housing section would give you some ideas? Piggies like lots of extra bits, places to hang things are good, they like hideys and such - it might give you some ideas looking at other peoples set ups?

 

[Connie]

Sorry, I did not want you too feel like i was shooting down your idea at all! I think its great your bothering to do research.

Its not that 2ft would be too high for them (2ft would be fine) just wasnt sure how big rabbits needed. If that is correct, 2ft by 2ft by 6ft would be a lovely big hutch for piggies.

Another thing, its best to have them off the ground otherwise other rodents can get in.

As amanda said, look around, you will see how people like to do their set ups.

 

[Daniel]

Halle- chuffing-lujah!

Someone designing animal homes who is actually looking into minimum size requirements and natural behaviours!

Daniel, maybe having a look in the Housing section would give you some ideas? Piggies like lots of extra bits, places to hang things are good, they like hideys and such - it might give you some ideas looking at other peoples set ups?

Not all of us are bad

I've had a look just need to work out sizes for different things.