Would like your opinions please

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maisydaisystar

hi, at the moment the guinea pigs hutches are in my utility/shed, The piggies are coming out every day to enjoy the weather, will bring the hutches out soon though. We have had foxes around at night and I'm obviously concerned about their welfare during the night. I had an idea, If I brought Large pet carriers I could put them in them for the night in the utility room, maybe bring them in around 9pm and put them out first thing, What do you all think, any advice would be great, cant keep the hutches in the utility room as it gets far too hot in the summer.
 
My mum put locks on our hutches.
Padlocks, so nothing can get in :) Maybe you should do that too, because their are foxes rounf our area, and our guinea pigs are fine every summe :) Theres not that many foxes though, I don't see many anyways, haven't saw one so far yet lol :p
 
It sounds like a good idea providing they are large enough, so won't be to badly soiled by the morning. Isn't there anyway you can put a fan in the utility room or find another way of keeping it cool e.g. cover the windows? You could always put them out in the run during the day. Or you can take security measures such as putting locks on the hutches, putting the hutches up against a wall and putting something in front of them and putting a scarecrow on the lawn. ? :)
 
Hi my OH would not be too happy if I had a fan on them when they are in the shed, he already thinks I'm crazy,(altrhough i would if i really thought i had to) also if we were out etc they would be shut in all day.We have problems with burglars in the area so wouldn't be able to leave windows etc open.
The hutches will be positioned against a fence very close to the back door,no where to put a scarecrow, but i hear foxes are determined little fellows. Not sure whats best
 
Right, i've solved that one, just freeze containers of water, and put it in their hutch on a really hot day for them, and when they're in the run, but two freezed containers in for them, its what we give our piggies on BOILING hot days. And you know the freezer packs you get with a keep cool bag, freeze them too and use them for the piggies :)

Or you can freeze 500ml 1litre and 2litre bottles of water for them :P
 
maisydaisystar said:
Hi my OH would not be too happy if I had a fan on them when they are in the shed, he already thinks I'm crazy,(altrhough i would if i really thought i had to) also if we were out etc they would be shut in all day.We have problems with burglars in the area so wouldn't be able to leave windows etc open.
The hutches will be positioned against a fence very close to the back door,no where to put a scarecrow, but i hear foxes are determined little fellows. Not sure whats best
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If you worried, put double or even tripple locks on the hutches (pad locks) and if you are SERIOUSLY worried why not get your OH to double mesh the hutches :) ;)
 
yes,frozen bottles work well, did that last year during the summer months, (they were outside last year)
 
Well I know it clogs up your freezer but use big bottles, and put one in the hutch in the day if you think its way too hot for them, and then when they're in the run put them 1 or 2 in there :) It will work lol
 
It really all depends on how bad the fox population is in your area. What kind of barrier have you got around your garden? :)
 
OOOOO! Thats a good idea! Put thick mesh around your garden (if you have a hegde that is) that will make a prevention from foxes coming in (hopefully)
 
well we have a huge garden about 130ft long at a guess, and at the very top is railway lines and sidings, there is no solid fencing at the back yet, hubby doin it this year, the right hand side we have had to fence since moving in 2 years ago (25 panels) to the top. on the left there is a hedge which travels to the very top of the garden, there are gaps in these towards the top.so not that secure. a fox killed all the chickens a few doors up the other week, but i have never seen one around.
 
Oh this is a bit of a hard one. :-\ Since a fox killed some chickens a couple of doors down they are around and not scared of venturing into peoples gardens. There are some products you can get to repel foxes but don't know if they are safe around other animals. ?
 
I have seen foxes jump over the 12ft high hedge on our back garden. I have also seen them climb tree to kill birds. Filling gaps in would not stop them. Leave them out in the Hutch they will be fine :)
 
I would think providing you hutches are solid and there was something put in front of the wire mesh they should be fine. ? Will let you know if I think of anything else. ;)
 
so everyone is in agreement to keep them out.
will get padlocks and double up on the mesh (a good one).
 
O0 They should be O.K., doubling up on the mesh would be a good idea. O0
 
Hi! Our hutch has a board which is attached by hinges and held in place overnight. (There's an air gap don't worry). Here's a piccie of it cos it's hard to explain

DSC01370.jpg


This hutch came like it but our old hutch didn't, however, my hubby got a piece of thick wood the size of the mesh area and attached metal hooks to the top (hanging down) and bottom (sticking out) of the hutch and we could then hook the wooden cover on at night. No fox unless he had a saw or a crow bar would get in there! Just a thought cos it was pretty simple to make and very effective.

I like the double mesh idea though, cos foxes are around in the day occasionally, I've seen them.
 
Your hutch looks and sounds fine. I would go with the double mesh idea and at night put something in front of the hutch but make sure there is enough ventilation. Putting something in front of the hutch is an extra precaution, which I have found has been very effective. O0
 
i'll use the one with plastics/tins /paper etc: the others smell a bit in the summer,
 
oh just remembered i have two hutches, will have to think of something else for the 2nd one.
 
I just had a brainwave :D get hold of some fire guards and clip them on at night ;) they have hooks that you can screw into the wood of the hutch, and clips on the guard they are ver cheap at boot sales you might even get one for free on freecycle ;)
 
Thanks will keep a look out for some, had a chat with hubby this afternoon, and discussed securing the hutches.
 
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