Supervised outdoor roaming in Summer

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Tara95

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Hi, I've seen so many videos and even seen respected forum members who let their guinea pigs outside in their garden to free roam without a run with supervision in the warmer months. The ones that have done this tend to have atleast 10 fully grown guinea pigs. I have even recently seen an animal rescue on instagram I believe it is Puddleducks guinea pig rescue who have recently had their garden transformed so the guinea pigs can free roam in a huge space without a covering. As well as this a few months ago, I remember visiting Dobbies garden centre and they had a hutch and a run extension without a lid outside and they said they never had any issues with birds and there were a flock of crow's fairly near the enclosure eating scraps of food and not showing any interest in the guinea pigs. I'd love to be able to do this in the summer, I have a fairly basic garden in which I recently had some Grass put on in the summer. It's a basic/square rectangular shape and doesn't have any plants in at the moment. It's not particularly big either but still would provide them with I think around 3 times the space they have now in their indoor bedroom. There's Also no areas where they could possibly get lost/escape. It's just a basic shape with no bushes, and 3 quite tall wooden fences surrounding it. I'm interested to see what are everyone's thoughts on this? Has anyone done this before and experienced any issues? Is this not safe? I would always be supervising them and all 5 should all be fully grown by then I'm also thinking I could perhaps attach some netting from one fence to the other as a precaution if this is necessary. I do feel a bit nervous with the prospect but I feel they would really benefit from this outdoor time during the summer and I would ofc provide lots of hidies and safe spaces. Many thanks 😊
 
Personally I wouldnt do this. Mine have a large lidded run and they are in there every day in the summer months at some point or another during the day but always when I’m home. Some days they are out in the run 12-14 hours and I couldn’t possibly sit by their run all day so even though they are only out when I am at home, the lid is always firmly closed. Cats, birds of prey, magpies have and will take the opportunity if it arises and I’d never forgive myself for leaving them in an unlidded run.
 
Piggies&buns said:
Personally I wouldnt do this. Mine have a large lidded run and they are in there every day in the summer months at some point or another during the day but always when I’m home. Some days they are out in the run 12-14 hours and I couldn’t possibly sit by their run all day so even though they are only out when I am at home, the lid is always firmly closed. Cats, birds of prey, magpies have and will take the opportunity if it arises and I’d never forgive myself for leaving them in an unlidded run.
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Yeah it's not worth the risk if something were to go wrong, I just keep seeing things like this all the time and getting tempted! Thank you for your advice think I needed it to get this idea out of my head! Been looking at suitable runs for the summer. Think this one might be nice for my 5. I purchased the smaller version last summer for original two. Which is exactly the same just not as long. Hopefully these might fit together? Screenshot_20201219-160056.webp
 
I’d just worry for their safety if you were distracted by anything. Not only that, it would be very restrictIve for you. I have a large garden and I can see them in the run from every window in the house so I don’t need to be stood out there the whole time with them given they are very safe in their run. I might be outside pottering around in the garden etc but I can go and put another load of washing in the machine, answer the phone etc, without worrying they would be at risk for a period of time.

it looks to be a nice size run. For me, I don’t like metal runs and instead prefer heavy wooden framed ones with welded mesh with a top opening lid. I would have absolutely no hope in catching my two out of the type of run in your picture If they decided to give me the run around! They are very good at going into a pet carrier when I put it down in their run to take them back to their hutch but it would be very restrictive in access if they decided not to co-operate!
 
i would not entertain free roaming,ive seen a guinea pig been taken my a magpie,very quickly,it was a friends guinea pig.ive a metal run like the one you are purchasing,but it is an absolute nightmare to catch the piggies to bring them back to their cages/hutches.you need a run with a lid that is removable so you can get in it to get your piggies back to their home.
 
Mine go out when one of us is home whenever the weather permits in a lidded run. I prefer to be outside with them gardening but as @Piggies&buns says you can see to the washing machine or telephone without worrying about them. We have 2 runs per pair of piggies linked to the runaround tunnels, they have hours of fun and exercise running backwards and forwards in the tunnels.
 
Piggies&buns said:
I’d just worry for their safety if you were distracted by anything. Not only that, it would be very restrictIve for you. I have a large garden and I can see them in the run from every window in the house so I don’t need to be stood out there the whole time with them given they are very safe in their run. I might be outside pottering around in the garden etc but I can go and put another load of washing in the machine, answer the phone etc, without worrying they would be at risk for a period of time.

it looks to be a nice size run. For me, I don’t like metal runs and instead prefer heavy wooden framed ones with welded mesh with a top opening lid. I would have absolutely no hope in catching my two out of the type of run in your picture If they decided to give me the run around! They are very good at going into a pet carrier when I put it down in their run to take them back to their hutch but it would be very restrictive in access if they decided not to co-operate!
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Definitely! I think I'd prefer a heavy wooden one too, it's just the space as I have 5 now for it to be above the minimum requirements it needs to be around that size, as I think they'll need atleast 17 square feet and it's really hard to find that with a wooden one for under £300. Plus my guinea pigs are used to over 50 square feet atm I don't want it to drastically reduce that size and potentially cause arguments if they're going to be spending most days out there in the summer. It'll definitely be worth investing in though for that reason. I'll keep an eye out! Thank you for your advice :)
 
eileen said:
i would not entertain free roaming,ive seen a guinea pig been taken my a magpie,very quickly,it was a friends guinea pig.ive a metal run like the one you are purchasing,but it is an absolute nightmare to catch the piggies to bring them back to their cages/hutches.you need a run with a lid that is removable so you can get in it to get your piggies back to their home.
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That's awful! 😔 I'm sorry for that experience, sounds terrible! Hope your friend was okay too. Poor piggie. I have noticed when my guinea pigs were younger they were playing outside in their run making lots of noise about 5 magpies were on my roof watching them. I Always presumed my guinea pigs would be too big for a Magpie though. and thank you for advice, I'll keep looking, it's just hard to find a wooden run that is big enough for 5 piggies and under £300. X
 
Before my boars had the tunnels we had wooden runs with a small section that unbolts and lifts out to attach them to hutches. We took the sections out and butted the runs up together and attached with hook and eye bolts so we could unattach easily and move the runs around.
 
piggieminder said:
Mine go out when one of us is home whenever the weather permits in a lidded run. I prefer to be outside with them gardening but as @Piggies&buns says you can see to the washing machine or telephone without worrying about them. We have 2 runs per pair of piggies linked to the runaround tunnels, they have hours of fun and exercise running backwards and forwards in the tunnels.
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That sounds nice is that the guinea pig inglu by omlette with the hard green tunnels? :)
 
I agree in attaching two smaller runs together to make it big enough for all five could be an option.
But to add, the run my boys have is smaller than their normal living space (all well above requirements though) but it doesn’t bother them, they are more interested in chewing the lawn than the fact they are several sq ft less than when they are in the shed
 
piggieminder said:
Before my boars had the tunnels we had wooden runs with a small section that unbolts and lifts out to attach them to hutches. We took the sections out and butted the runs up together and attached with hook and eye bolts so we could unattach easily and move the runs around.
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That's a good idea I thought about doing that to the piggies old outdoor hutch which is still outside and the same as I think @Piggies&buns old hutch ( the pretty pets at home hutch with the little fence and the roof) so potentially I could extend that run which we give me a bit more freedom to leave them unintended as atm I think the ground space is the minimum requirements for 4 Guinea pigs. The only problem is it's a pain to catch them when they're in there! Thank you for advice :)
 
I've seen such videos, too. I don't have nerves for that. So much that can go wrong! We've had Guinea pigs dropped off to us by people who's cats brought them in. Or found in strangers' garden with nasty bite wounds.

My boys (pairs/singles) would have large runs with small wooden house stuffed with hay on nice days. I would just move it around the garden to ensure they have fresh grass daily. But last time they were out was September. I don't like cold myself, so don't fancy leaving those tiny feet on cold and damp grass.

Check it out: #zooplus /-1068843/shop/small_pets/runs_fencing/73280/4_sided/281805

Check it out: #zooplus /-1068843/shop/small_pets/hutches/single_storey_hutches/trixie_natura_hutches/33223
this run fits with this wooden house well. It was half the price when I bought it! The price went up since!
 
Hath said:
I've seen such videos, too. I don't have nerves for that. So much that can go wrong! We've had Guinea pigs dropped off to us by people who's cats brought them in. Or found in strangers' garden with nasty bite wounds.

My boys (pairs/singles) would have large runs with small wooden house stuffed with hay on nice days. I would just move it around the garden to ensure they have fresh grass daily. But last time they were out was September. I don't like cold myself, so don't fancy leaving those tiny feet on cold and damp grass.

Check it out: #zooplus /-1068843/shop/small_pets/runs_fencing/73280/4_sided/281805

Check it out: #zLooplus /-1068843/shop/small_pets/hutches/single_storey_hutches/trixie_natura_hutches/33223
this run fits with this wooden house well. It was half the price when I bought it! The price went up since!
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Thank you but I can't click on the link, hopefully will be able to copy and paste it later on when on my laptop 💻 thanks again :) and I don't think I can do it either. It's just not worth the risk but it certainly looks like a nice idea minus the predator's!
 
Guineapigfeet said:
I use the medium one of these and it’s great. I never use the side door though, only ever the top.

Large Folding Run
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This looks amazing! When it's back in stock I'll definitely be tempted! Just hope it isn't too much money for the large one! Do you know how much it roughly is? It doesn't say the price because it's out of stock. Many thanks :)
 
Guineapigfeet said:
I use the medium one of these and it’s great. I never use the side door though, only ever the top.

Large Folding Run
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Have found the price! Really good value will definitely be purchasing! Not sure to preorder now as there's a sale on or wait until summer! Excited about this run after getting the news I'm in tier 4 and can't see my family at Christmas 🎄 but atleast I'll be with the guinea pigs :) thank you for recommendation :)
 
How much is that large folding run Tara? My 5 would love it, provided they had loads and loads and loads of hiding places.
 
Tara95 said:
Have found the price! Really good value will definitely be purchasing! Not sure to preorder now as there's a sale on or wait until summer! Excited about this run after getting the news I'm in tier 4 and can't see my family at Christmas 🎄 but atleast I'll be with the guinea pigs :) thank you for recommendation :)
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You’re welcome!
 
flowerfairy said:
How much is that large folding run Tara? My 5 would love it, provided they had loads and loads and loads of hiding places.
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See later thread, £119 but £20 extra with the wooden House! Not available until after Jan! It looks so good doesn't it! It's worth it they're normally alot more for wooden ones and it folds away x
 
I put my guinea pigs in their run for most of the summer. either they were supervised or covered. unless you pigges are terrible at escaping I guess you could do it. just make sure no animal can dig under and get in. my guinea pigs have escaped a few times so we stopped doing and they are much happier indoors. :P
 
Nibbles&Munchkin said:
I put my guinea pigs in their run for most of the summer. either they were supervised or covered. unless you pigges are terrible at escaping I guess you could do it. just make sure no animal can dig under and get in. my guinea pigs have escaped a few times so we stopped doing and they are much happier indoors. :P
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What cheeky piggies you have! And I'll be careful, thank you :)
 
I personally could never allow free roam, I hardly could leave the garden if my piggies were out in their run. Often I'd just let them be out for a couple hours in a shaded spot, with hides and I sat out there with them and they were in a run, but I couldn't stomach leaving that opportunity for risk, let alone a free roam. As wonderful as it sounds to give them that space, it also comes with risk of injury or worse.
 
Cosmic_Shadow said:
I personally could never allow free roam, I hardly could leave the garden if my piggies were out in their run. Often I'd just let them be out for a couple hours in a shaded spot, with hides and I sat out there with them and they were in a run, but I couldn't stomach leaving that opportunity for risk, let alone a free roam. As wonderful as it sounds to give them that space, it also comes with risk of injury or worse.
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Thank you for advice, it really isn't worth it. You can never be 100% safe especially with birds of prey! I will just be buying them a spacious run with a lid instead x
 
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