Top Opening Hutch important ?

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Mummybean

Junior Guinea Pig
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We brought our two Piggies two weeks ago. The second hand hutch we had brought was in fact far too small (we had heaps of advice on here that helped us realise this). So we brought the Chartwell 6ft single story hutch from Home and Roost which has just arrived. The only down side to this hutch is the roof doesn’t open. The one we have now does and the majority of the time that’s how I access them. I don’t know if we should try and adapt it (if possible) or just get it put together as it is. What have you found the pros and cons to be with a top opening hutch?
 
I have had many hutches over the past 30 years! Of the three hutches I have currently in operation, two are top opening....and I never use it. I have scratch and Newton hutch covers which tie up around the hutch legs so prevent the roof from lifting anyway, but approaching prey animals from above is one of the best ways to scare them as it is how a predator would attack!
 
Piggies&buns said:
I have had many hutches over the past 30 years! Of the three hutches I have currently in operation, two are top opening....and I never use it. I have scratch and Newton hutch covers which tie up around the hutch legs so prevent the roof from lifting anyway, but approaching prey animals from above is one of the best ways to scare them as it is how a predator would attack!
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Thank you that’s helpful as we will be ordering the scratch and Newton cover (it seems to be the only one that fits the hutch we have brought) but I can’t find any videos/pictures on line to show me how it attaches and opens. I have read in lots of places about them not liking being approached from above but my two seem a lot happier that way than when I open the door. I think this might be because we have a cat and they associate the lower door opening with being on her height (even though she is never around when I see to them) but they do see her out in the garden. That’s the only reason I can think of, but they do seem more relaxed when I open the roof.
 
Mummybean said:
Thank you that’s helpful as we will be ordering the scratch and Newton cover (it seems to be the only one that fits the hutch we have brought) but I can’t find any videos/pictures on line to show me how it attaches and opens. I have read in lots of places about them not liking being approached from above but my two seem a lot happier that way than when I open the door. I think this might be because we have a cat and they associate the lower door opening with being on her height (even though she is never around when I see to them) but they do see her out in the garden. That’s the only reason I can think of, but they do seem more relaxed when I open the roof.
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it slips over the top of the hutch, flatten it out down the sides and back, and then there are straps which clip around the legs and need to be tightened to keep it in place.
When the front is pulled down, there are Velcro straps to do up. When lifting it, you can roll it up and then there are more Velcro straps at the top to hold it up in a rolled position. Although I never do that as it never seems to sit flat again for a couple of days afterwards. I just flip the front cover over the roof and weigh it down on top of the roof for the day
If you’ve got the thermal cover as well, then it comes with a fly screen which is completely removeable. It simply Velcro’s along the top and down both sides when in use, and then pull it off when not needed.
 
I have two hutches for our rabbits who live outside, and one is top opening and one isn't.
I can honestly say I have never used the top opening in the hutch that has it.
Again mostly because of the covers it has on, but also because the front doors open wide enough to allow me full access, so it isn't really necessary.
 
Only thing I have to contribute is make sure you count them in - my friend went out one morning to find her newest small black piggie hiding under the cage. She must have dropped out when reloading from the grass run and she didn't see her in the dark.

This is why my mum went to the Cat rescue and asked for "anything with white on" - so she doesn't fall over it at night!
 
I have a hutch but have never opened the top cover to get the piggies. It's easy enough to get them by opening the front doors. 👍
 
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