Recommend me an outdoor run for guineas please?

[hillyhilly]

We have two boys, got them around 5 weeks ago, they are still pretty shy but getting a little better and we are very fond of them - greedy pigs!
Now the weather os getting more spring like I am thinking they could go out for a run here and there, I am home quite a lot during the day so could put them out and bring them in as necessary.

We have a big garden, I am hoping they'll help with the lawn, Ive just cut them a handful of grass and they've wolfed it down!

So, what do I need to know about a run? Does it have a base to stop predators? Next doors cats are pretty young and hunters, we have an igloo and other things for them to hide and shelter in, so where would be a good place to buy a good run please?

[Gingerbics]

Hi I'm in the same position as you thinking the boys will need an airing soon as had them 3 months now. Have been looking on Bunny Business website and also at some outdoor cages there too. I'm so nervous about them going out and the risk of foxes. Def won't feel comfortable leaving them out in a run when we're not about. The only ones I've seen that are sold as virtually fox proof are the Guinea Pig Eglus but they're ridiculously expensive £400+!!!!
I'm sure some of the guinea gurus will have some wise words for us.

[hillyhilly]

Ive ordered a hexagonal pen off Amazon, it has a net/ shade roof and looks lovely and big. Twas a bargain too at only £22 with delivery
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004QRKP5I/ref=pe_385721_37986871_TE_item?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

We have a rabbit run (IIRC it's 84" long and about 36"-48" wide plus a good height to allow rabbits to stand up)

It has metal tent pegs that we push (hammer into the ground in dry weather ) into the grass.

Even with that, I don't let them stay unattented for too long - it could in theory be dug under though my pigs aren't going to dig out.
It folds up flat to store and when the pigs have had to have emergency camping in the garage , we use it in there.

It was about £50 but we got it in 2012.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Soooo, this weekend I might be able to get my little boys out in the garden

I'll get some new tent-pegs and get the rabbit run set up for them.

(It's going to be -3 overnight next week )

[Gingerbics]

Ooh now I'm thinking I should order our new run, looks like 15 degrees during day at weekend. As they've never been out do you think I should just put them out for a short time? Or if they seem happy leave them out for a good while ( well supervised of course). They're gonna be so excited they've never seen grass other than in a pile, a whole carpet of grass, wow weeeeeek! Mind you they'll probably be terrified at first. Gonna get onto Bunny Business site and order one now!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Ginger if they haven't been grazing then yes, limit their time to begin with.

Maybe an hour or so at first (they won't eat non stop, they'll be popcorning like mad )

Over indulging can give them bloat ( gas built up in the belly, can be fatal) and if they eat grass cut down on their supper veg (still lots of hay though)

My little Abby GP2 used to get very soft pooh if he had a day eating grass, so they had naice hay and non-salad supper . GP1 was furious, it didn't affect him and he was given "Boring Veg"
But GP1 gets a clear fluid from his nostril (we had it checked, suspected hayfever type snot)

When we got our GP3 last summer he started at an hour then built up over the next weeks. He popcorned for Britain. I think he's a big too chunky and lazy mature to malarky so much this year.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Look out for non-guinea-safe weeds too. We put a mat over any rogue patches. (Buttercups are the main ones and though they do tend to avoid the wrong 'uns, you can't be 100% )

[Gingerbics]

Thanks 70, good plan I'll start with an hour and reduce tea accordingly! Ordered the run but prob won't be here until next week so the lads may have to wait a few days longer. Hope your boys have a good forage this weekend!