What size hutch is needed for to g/pigs ??

[TheOriginalNutcracker]

Thinking of getting two piggies soon but will need to buy hutch and everything first obviously.

Have been looking on ebay for hutches and alot of them are alot more than I want to pay, but tbh I#m not sure what size I need anyway ?

[TheOriginalNutcracker]

TWO argh

[TheOriginalNutcracker]

Is something like this too small ??

[guineapiglet]

My advice to you is to try freecycle, we have given and received so much gp stuff this way, particularly runs, - you may want to buy your bowls, water bottles etc new. Alot depends on where you are going to keep the guineas, if they are inside or outside, ours for example were in a large hutch on the floor of the shed, so in bad weather they could roam around the shed - if you are intending to put them out in a run when the weather allows, you need a biggish run for two, but the size of the house shouldnt be too small, enough for them both to have comfortable bedroom size (( two feet) plus a 'living/food/loo area( another two feet if possible). Indoor hutches - my advice is to get the biggest you can, as they need lots of space to roam around and if they are not going outside space should be optimum. Really do recommend freecycle, or even gumtree if people are trying to get rid of stuff they dont need. Good luck!

[TheOriginalNutcracker]

Thank's !! Will try both

They would be going outside.

[guineapiglet]

Hi - this looks like a nice hutch, I have a friend who has one with an opening lid and they are very useful. In my honest opinion, I think it is a tad small for guineas, - next size up might be better - tho' if you are intending to let them have a run separately it would be OK if they were out and about in more space. Outside hutches have to be quite heavy duty and have a waterproof lid, and, ideally be treated ( befoe guineas are in residence) to withstand our lovely weather - there are companies who manufacture hutch protectors but these are quite expensive. The BEST thing I have ever seen guineas in was an iglu, where they had a run adjoining the hutch but could be safely locked up at night. Beware of foxes and other nocturnals, the cage will have to be very secure.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

There's a website called Cavy Cages that give you minimum and preferred sizes.

My 2 adult boars have a 4'x2' indoor cage for winter (height is about 18-20" but it's a plastic base and wire top,so airy). They are in from 7pm til 6.30 am in winter, up to their ears in hay. But they get very arsey in the indoor cage.

They like hidey spaces, (ideally 1 per pig + an extra) because they do need some time away from each other.
And even in July/August there have been days when my pigs haven't been out to graze in their run.

My GPs have my DC old playhouse (wooden, on a plinth) which is 5'5" x 5'7" (I measured it properly last week).
They have a wooden haybox, with a cardboard box inside, a willow hedgehog house and 2 further cardboard boxes.

Then there's a pellet bowl,a water bowl ,a salad plate . And a wide ramp to go up onto the haybox lid.

Really, the more space, the better. They need to excercise and explore. They need to keep themselves warm and snuggly when it's cold but have space to have ventilation when it's hot. And space to chill and get out of each other's faces when need be.

And they appreciate (but don't always use) a toilet area. Mine pee in the cardboard box inside the haybox (I put lots of newspaper in for them)