The expense of owning piggies...

[JackyB]

Hi All,

Hope this is the right place for this and hope you don't mind me posting.

Basically I have spent my lunch today pricing up all the things I will need for when I get guineas- I’m doing my research on how to look after them but I also need to decide what I need to get so I’m fully prepared. If me listing what guineas really need for their basics needs (i.e. not just a shop bought cage) and just how much to start off costs are never mid future costs- and it makes people think are they really up to that- well I think it's worth while.

I never realised just how much was involved in looking after piggies both in terms of cost and food, but for me I’m happy to take on this sort of responsibility

So here we go, this is the basics that I have decided I need to buy and the actual cost: -

C&C cage: £60,
Run and Net for use indoors and outdoors: £ 26.99 [ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00178HJGM/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A38294CC12DERK[/ame],
House for in cage: £8.87 [ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000V6DMBC/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A38294CC12DERK[/ame],
Hay Manager: £2.09 [ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000V6C7IQ/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A38294CC12DERK[/ame],
Brush: £2.57 [ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001OVD6LO/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A38294CC12DERK[/ame],
2x Food Dishes (Picture wrong): £2.57 total: £5.14 [ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000V9OAL0/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A38294CC12DERK[/ame],
Toy treat: £1.26 [ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00121VS5M/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A38294CC12DERK[/ame],
Play Tunnel: £3.62 [ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000OLYFYM/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A38294CC12DERK[/ame],
Chair bed: £5.99 [ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0006IK06K/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A38294CC12DERK[/ame],
Water Bottle: £2.09 [ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/450ml-Bottle-Guinea-Rabbits-Hutch/dp/B0009587ZG/ref=sr_1_35?ie=UTF8&m=A38294CC12DERK&s=generic&qid=1264529314&sr=1-35[/ame],
5 Fleeces (As I’ll be having double cage so 2 for cage, 1 for run, 1 for cuddle time, and 2 spare) approx £10,
Food: £4 approx,
Hay £5 appox,

Total = £137.62
This is what I consider the basics I would need ready for the piggies. This doesn't include the cost of the Guinea pigs themselves as this depends on where they come from.

Well thanks for looking at my post anyway- a lot of you won't find this very useful but I think I would have done being new to this and hope others do to

 

[elle100]

Well done you for being so organised

 

[JackyB]

Unfortunately the links on the post didn’t work- but all the items from "Water Bottle" upwards can be found from this seller "Country Life Services Ltd" on Amazon as this is where I will purchase them from.

 

[JackyB]

Unfortunately the links on the post didn’t work- but all the items from "Water Bottle" upwards can be found from this seller "Country Life Services Ltd" on Amazon as this is where I will purchase them from.

 

[Lisajazz]

They are a good seller - I am sure they are also the rabbit hutch company (or something similar).

Looks about right - so when's the big day?

 

[Claire W]

Good for you for being so organised Can I suggest though that you look in to rescuing a pair of guinea pigs instead of buying some as there are many rescue pigs out there looking for a home xx

 

[Laura-CCC4]

I'm sure your breakdown of costs will be helpful to you and others. I won't do a breakdown of costs for my 14....that might put people off for good!

Walsall RSPCA are probably pretty local to you. They usually have some lovely piggies in.

 

[PiggiePal]

if you do a search for run rabbit run on this forum they were selling runs to us for cheaper and they were also doing a donation to gp rescues for buying off them too. Maybe have a look!

Good on you for pricing it all up and also for not just going to PAH cos it's easier! There's some great websites out there that guinea lovers run that you can get great stuff from

 

[Rubybubbles]

|) I was surprised at the cost of setting up too! I got my guinea's in Decemeber, they where a £10 donation to the RSPCA! The rest cost lol

But since the first out going's I have only had to buy 1 bag of hay, and just had a second bag of pellet food! There veggies are just included in what my weekly shop is but I make sure I buy guinea friendly veggies-c

 

[redfrock]

don't forget something to go under the fleeces, whether it is inco pads or towels etc

Not too bad a cost for all that squeeky love!

 

[andic]

This would be a really useful post - it's nice to see you're doing your homework and taking piggie ownership very seriously!
I'd recommend you go to a rescue and give a forever home to piggies who haven't had a fortunate start in their lives.

welcome to the mad mad world of piggies...you'll be addicted!

Look forward to seeing photos when your new additions arrive

x

 

[JackyB]

Hi, Thanks for all the kind comments and advice it's much appreciated

I wanted it to be a sort of guide of what's needed and the potential costs (though theres always cheaper options out there) I'm going to have a look around the local market- one of the problems with ordering online is delivery costs get expensinve if you order from different sites so at least i can get everything i need from that seller.

I'm hoping to take on guineas pigs in March hopefully- i'm having to wait as i'm still waiting for my new furniture to arrive (Just moved into new home ) and to get our deposit money back and then it's all go- i can't wait !

And yes i am keeping my eyes out for the rehoming thread and local RSPCA websites (Birmingham and Walsall) so watch this space!

 

[JackyB]

This would be a really useful post - it's nice to see you're doing your homework and taking piggie ownership very seriously!
I'd recommend you go to a rescue and give a forever home to piggies who haven't had a fortunate start in their lives.

welcome to the mad mad world of piggies...you'll be addicted!

Look forward to seeing photos when your new additions arrive

x

I think i'm addicted already |)