Post by lexi jo ellis on Mar 27, 2012 4:58:48 GMT -5
Finally, the wooden hutch. Many people tell us that they have a double decker hutch and that the measurements are 3' ish x 18" ish. Unfortunately this is just too small . In addition, double deckers are generally unsuitable for the following reasons -
1.Guinea pigs are not natural climbers and I know of piggies who will never ever use the ramp which immediately reduces the amount of floor space they have to exercise in. Many of them end up simply spending all their life in the sleeping area and never stretching their legs. That's cruel. If they do use the ramps it takes away the flat floor space the piggies love to jump about and popcorn in. A large flat area is preferable.
2. Piggies have been known to fall down the hole and injure themselves.
3. Guinea pigs are naturally shy animals and even tame ones put up resisistance when being picked up. If you have two tiers they will always run into the opposite one from the one you are trying to catch them in, this results in a scared piggie and also a frustrated owner. I have known owners who just don't handle their piggies because they are so difficult to catch in these types of hutches.
4. There is a constant cold draught/damp coming up the ramp hole which means that they are more likely to suffer with ill health, piggies do not cope well with draughts or damp at all. Also the bottom tier tends to be open to the elements with no sheltered compartment.
5. The double decker hutches tend to be very heavy so can not easily be moved into a sheltered area or easily insulated in the winter. The hutches sold as an all-in-one run and home have proved to be so heavy they never get moved off the same patch of grass and access to damp areas could spell disaster for your piggies health.
6. They can be awkward to clean out and piggies often chew the ramp so it needs to be replaced regularly. Bending down to clean out the bottom for the umpteenth time is not something to look forward to either.
The hutches with two tiers that have adequate flooring on the ground floor, have solid sides and back at the lower level (to provide all round weather protection), have a sheltered hidey hole/sleep area AND measure at least 4' x 2' MAY be acceptable. Please ask the rescue.
We do not recommend two tier hutches at all if the bottom tier goes straight onto the patio/grass/decking and has no bottom or sides, this is simply inadequate housing for our rescued piggies.
We RECOMMEND a one tier sturdy wooden hutch, on a stand to raise it up off the floor and to make cleaning out easier. The hutch needs to be made of sturdy material with no sharp corners or wire. The individual door fasteners need to be easy to operate and the doors fit securely. It should be spacious enough to put in wooden hidey holes, veg/food bowls and a place to stretch out as well as have a run about - 4' x 2' is minimum. You will also need to consider a secure area seperate to their hutch for floor time and exercise on a daily basis.
ALL HOUSING MUST BE BROUGHT INTO A SHELTERED AND WEATHERPROOF AREA DURING WINTER, a shed, summer house, wendy house, utility room, garage with no car, outbuilding are all ideal. You won't want to be outside cleaning an outdoor hutch out in the freezing cold, driving rain and howling gales so why should you expect you piggies to live out there too? Be kind to your piggies, be kind to yourself, get your piggies indoors during the winter.
1.Guinea pigs are not natural climbers and I know of piggies who will never ever use the ramp which immediately reduces the amount of floor space they have to exercise in. Many of them end up simply spending all their life in the sleeping area and never stretching their legs. That's cruel. If they do use the ramps it takes away the flat floor space the piggies love to jump about and popcorn in. A large flat area is preferable.
2. Piggies have been known to fall down the hole and injure themselves.
3. Guinea pigs are naturally shy animals and even tame ones put up resisistance when being picked up. If you have two tiers they will always run into the opposite one from the one you are trying to catch them in, this results in a scared piggie and also a frustrated owner. I have known owners who just don't handle their piggies because they are so difficult to catch in these types of hutches.
4. There is a constant cold draught/damp coming up the ramp hole which means that they are more likely to suffer with ill health, piggies do not cope well with draughts or damp at all. Also the bottom tier tends to be open to the elements with no sheltered compartment.
5. The double decker hutches tend to be very heavy so can not easily be moved into a sheltered area or easily insulated in the winter. The hutches sold as an all-in-one run and home have proved to be so heavy they never get moved off the same patch of grass and access to damp areas could spell disaster for your piggies health.
6. They can be awkward to clean out and piggies often chew the ramp so it needs to be replaced regularly. Bending down to clean out the bottom for the umpteenth time is not something to look forward to either.
The hutches with two tiers that have adequate flooring on the ground floor, have solid sides and back at the lower level (to provide all round weather protection), have a sheltered hidey hole/sleep area AND measure at least 4' x 2' MAY be acceptable. Please ask the rescue.
We do not recommend two tier hutches at all if the bottom tier goes straight onto the patio/grass/decking and has no bottom or sides, this is simply inadequate housing for our rescued piggies.
We RECOMMEND a one tier sturdy wooden hutch, on a stand to raise it up off the floor and to make cleaning out easier. The hutch needs to be made of sturdy material with no sharp corners or wire. The individual door fasteners need to be easy to operate and the doors fit securely. It should be spacious enough to put in wooden hidey holes, veg/food bowls and a place to stretch out as well as have a run about - 4' x 2' is minimum. You will also need to consider a secure area seperate to their hutch for floor time and exercise on a daily basis.
ALL HOUSING MUST BE BROUGHT INTO A SHELTERED AND WEATHERPROOF AREA DURING WINTER, a shed, summer house, wendy house, utility room, garage with no car, outbuilding are all ideal. You won't want to be outside cleaning an outdoor hutch out in the freezing cold, driving rain and howling gales so why should you expect you piggies to live out there too? Be kind to your piggies, be kind to yourself, get your piggies indoors during the winter.