Teidi Tavern (pics) - Accommodation help please!

[PiggyPoo]

(New 1st time owner - I’ve had my 12 week piggies for 6 nights. Question, questions, questions!)

Ok, so I’m under no illusion that I’m going to be able provide the 5* accommodation that some of you guys have here! My space is very limited. So I need to make the best with what I have.

I bought Twilight and Heidi a ‘temporary’ 3ft x 2ft indoor cage(with a view of putting their outdoor 4ft x 2ft hutch in a shed in winter). They’ve settled indoors really well. They’re currently staying in the living room with us. Grandad is building a 4ft x 4ft run for them.

It’s become apparent that I have improvements to make. I saw an example of a bad and a good cage. A good cage was nothing that I expected it to be! All this fleece and cat beds?!

So, I’m looking for some advice on how to improve Teidi Tavern for the time being! What’s good? What’s not? I’m concerned about sawdust. Should I use a fleece instead? (Recommendations welcome!)

Prior to my knowledge, I purchased a 4ft x 2ft hutch from a local man online. It arrived last night! It feels a bit like piggy prison . It looks drafty where the doors don’t finish. I'm worried that my kids might get splinters. Is there anything that I can do to make it more homely?! (When the time comes to move them). Sand it down? Put Lino down covered with fleece? Cover the drafts? I was told by the pet shop not to bother with a 2 storey as they don’t all like going up and down the runs . I just feel like now I have them indoor, going outdoor is a step down but I just don’t have room indoors for anything bigger!

All advice welcome during my learning curve!

Many thanks
Hayley

 

[Siikibam]

I think quite a lot of people line their hutches with Lino so the wood doesn’t get ruined by the pee etc. The minimum cage size should be 120 x 60cm so the indoor cage is a little too small I’m afraid. You could put them in a run indoors or outdoors.
As for making the hutch homely. They’d love a pile of hay (should be on tap), and maybe some hideys. Make sure you put in two so they don’t argue over them. Can’t think what else really.
They’re gorgeous by they way

 

[PiggyPoo]

Thank you for your reply @Siikibam

This cage is a foot too small I figured as they were so tiny it would just do temporarily and let them out regularly! P@h were going to sell me even smaller!

Thanks for the tips!

I’m so in love with them Thank you xx

 

[Swissgreys]

Well done for trying to provide the best accommodation you can for your piggies.
It is so easy to fall into the trap of ending up with something totally inappropriate based on recommendations from pet shops.

Anyway if the wooden hutch will be in a shed this will help keep them warmer in Winter, despite the large gaps in the doors. Also when necessary you can over the hutch with a blanket or old duvet to cut down on drafts. Plus maybe you could have a heater in there during the Winter?

For now they realy need more space, and letting them out daily isn't the same, as then they have to play on your schedule, not theirs.
But based on the photos you could put a piece of lino or rubber matting on the shed floor, and put a 'fence' around the hutch made from puppy pen panels.
If you made a ramp from the hutch onto the lino covered floor, then they could come in and out as they pleased and would have lots more space to run around and explore.
I hope that makes sense - it's hard to explain.

 

[PiggyPoo]

@Swissgreys Aww thank you! I really am trying my best!

Ok so I will have to move them outdoor sooner than I thought! That’s a great idea and makes perfect sense!

Will they be ok moving house again so soon?! Xx

 

[Flutterby]

Gorgeous piggies! I agree with everything that has been said

 

[PiggyPoo]

Thank you @Flutterby! Operation refurb is currently underway! Xx

 

[Siikibam]

They’ll love having more space. Prepare yourself for the popcorn and zooming party

 

[PiggyPoo]

They’ll love having more space. Prepare yourself for the popcorn and zooming party

Can’t wait @Siikibam!

I’ve cleared out the whole shed! Getting some Lino for the floor tomorrow!

I’ve just had to have a word with myself because I was feeling like a failed 1st time Mum by disrupting them and moving them again! Then I remembered they’re loved, clean, well fed, treated, warm! Ok so I got the space wrong but I’m working on it ASAP. I’m sure they’ll thank me in the end xx

 

[Dargonaxe]

I’m looking to use pond liner instead of Lino, seems a bit cheaper for more. Have a look on amazon! 8ftx8ft for £10 with free delivery. Not on prime though

 

[PiggyPoo]

Update! *** So Teidi Tavern Refushment is currently under way and is taking a day or so longer than I anticipated! Suitable ramp to be made, flooring and a secure run!

In the meantime, I have transformed a travel cot into an indoor play pen which they seem to be liking (whilst supervised). I just have a water bottle issue so I’m having a think about what to do with that! Otherwise it’ll have to be a bowl of water I think xx

 

[Dargonaxe]

I imagine the cot has thin netting around it? If it’s possible, try and thread some string or wire into it to hold up the bottle? Not sure what else to suggest!

 

[PiggyPoo]

I imagine the cot has thin netting around it? If it’s possible, try and thread some string or wire into it to hold up the bottle? Not sure what else to suggest!

Yes it’s mesh! Oh thank I’ll try that now xx

 

[PiggyPoo]

Could do with being a little higher, but this will do the job, just for now,! Hope they’re not disappointed that it’s only water

 

[Swissgreys]

Genius

 

[PiggyPoo]

Genius

Thank you @Swissgreys. I was quite chuffed with myself

 

[artcasper]

Could do with being a little higher, but this will do the job, just for now,! Hope they’re not disappointed that it’s only water View attachment 88404

Fab idea! Mine go out in and indoor run every night but hardly bother to even look at their water bottle.. i leave them for no longer than an hour as i worry they dont drink when in there!

 

[Dargonaxe]

Fab soloution!