Split Level Hutch

[thebiscuitpigs]

Hi, the hutch that my guinea pigs are in has two levels, and I’m giving them access to the lower part for the first time today but the piggies aren’t interested! I’ve put some of their vegetables down there to try and encourage them, but so far neither of them have tried to venture down. Should I encourage them or leave them to it? Any tips? Thanks

 

[Lady Kelly]

which hutch do you have? A lot of ramps aren't ideal for piggies and are too open, too steep or too slippy or any combination of the three! I helped mine by attaching sides to the ramp and adding carpet, they whizz up and down it like nobodies business now

 

[thebiscuitpigs]

which hutch do you have? A lot of ramps aren't ideal for piggies and are too open, too steep or too slippy or any combination of the three! I helped mine by attaching sides to the ramp and adding carpet, they whizz up and down it like nobodies business now

I’ve attached a couple of images of the hutch so you can see it and the ramp. The ramp itself has got sides, as well as some smaller pieces of wood (like a ladder) for grip I’m assuming? At the moment they’re at the top, and I’m trying to introduce them to the run area at the bottom putting carpet in sounds like a good idea - I might try that if they haven’t come down in a few days!

 

[Lady Kelly]

the biggest thing for mine was adding the sides. Both of the hutches I've had they wouldn't use assumingly because of feeling exposed. The first hutch was worse than the current because like yours it was all mesh sides. We added sides that are about piggy height and it makes it more like a tunnel for them. I think some of the fleece bedding websites also sell fleece ramp tunnels which can help their confidence. My current ramp had some strips along it which gave a ladder like effect but it was still just plywood and slippy which is why we added carpet.

You can get stick on carpet tiles and cut to size. Then try placing a veg treat halfway down and see if that entices them

 

[thebiscuitpigs]

the biggest thing for mine was adding the sides. Both of the hutches I've had they wouldn't use assumingly because of feeling exposed. The first hutch was worse than the current because like yours it was all mesh sides. We added sides that are about piggy height and it makes it more like a tunnel for them. I think some of the fleece bedding websites also sell fleece ramp tunnels which can help their confidence. My current ramp had some strips along it which gave a ladder like effect but it was still just plywood and slippy which is why we added carpet.

You can get stick on carpet tiles and cut to size. Then try placing a veg treat halfway down and see if that entices them

Thank you! It makes sense about them feeling exposed because of the mesh - I hadn’t thought of that! I think I’m going to add some side panels to it so it is note enclosed, and hopefully they’ll come down soon!

 

[Lady Kelly]

Thank you! It makes sense about them feeling exposed because of the mesh - I hadn’t thought of that! I think I’m going to add some side panels to it so it is note enclosed, and hopefully they’ll come down soon!

Once they figure it out there will be no stopping them

 

[Incredipigs]

My piggies live in a hutch with a ramp (in the summer) They wouldn't use the ramp at all when they first moved into the hutch. I put them in the bottom of the hutch and left a trail of lettuce going up the ramp. Once they learnt how to get up the ramp it didn't take them long to learn how to get down

 

[thebiscuitpigs]

My piggies live in a hutch with a ramp (in the summer) They wouldn't use the ramp at all when they first moved into the hutch. I put them in the bottom of the hutch and left a trail of lettuce going up the ramp. Once they learnt how to get up the ramp it didn't take them long to learn how to get down

I did try putting a trail of lettuce down the ramp, but I’ll try putting it up the ramp to see if it’s easier for them, thank you!

 

[thebiscuitpigs]

So I put the girls at the bottom of the hutch which a trail of lettuce up the ramp (and a nice big leaf of lettuce at the top). It’s been about an hour and all the lettuce is gone! Although the girls are now at the bottom I think I can assume they’ve made it up and back down the ramp?!

 

[Julia sawicka]

My piggies are living in a cage the size of 0.5m on 1m. They don't stay there all the time of course as we put old blankets around a room and let them walk around but is it a suitable amount of space?