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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

..about these here guinea pigs i’m feeding for the neighbours?

16 replies

BertrandRussell · 30/07/2019 17:05

They have a hutch connected to an outside run. They go in and out during the day and are shut up at night. The outside run has no top. I asked if they were worried about neighbouring cats (mine, among others) or foxes or birds of prey getting them and they said that there was no need to worry- it’s fine. But i’ve just realised that they usually have their dog in the garden, which would see off any predators. I’m going to have to get some chicken wire and cover it, aren’t I? I’m not being over cautious?

OP posts:
Fairylea · 30/07/2019 17:07

Definitely needs covering.

I’ve caught next doors cat trying to pinch out Guinea pigs in the time it’s taken me to get some veggies from inside (left the top open for 5 mins).

BogglesGoggles · 30/07/2019 17:08

It depends on whether you are worried about the Guinea pigs or getting the blame. The latter would be pretty easy to shift. If it’s the former I would probably just get the wire. Better to spend 20 minutes on that than worrying the whole time.

Hugsandpastries · 30/07/2019 17:08

I did the same thing for my neighbours for a week and the guinea pigs were fine. They don’t have a dog and that is their usual routine. Maybe they’ve just been lucky so far though!

ATowelAndAPotato · 30/07/2019 17:08

Definitely get it covered or they are going to be someone’s dinner!

KurriKurri · 30/07/2019 17:08

I'd definitely cover it - they've been lucky so far.

Original poster
BertrandRussell · 30/07/2019 17:10

“It depends on whether you are worried about the Guinea pigs or getting the blame.“

Good lord. What an extraordinary attitude!

OP posts:
Frouby · 30/07/2019 17:12

My ndn used to let their piggies graze without a top until a cat (we presume) tried to take one. Poor piggy needed stitching up at the vets. Definetly cover them.

5foot5 · 30/07/2019 17:13

I would cover it. We used to have guinea pigs and they had an outside run which had a cover on. On a couple of occasions I saw a sparrow hawk on the fence and we get a lot of magpies which I wouldn't trust.

FamilyOfAliens · 30/07/2019 17:13

Definitely cover them up.

Guinea pigs have very delicate hearts and even if a cat just jumped in out of curiosity, the piggies could die of shock.

Original poster
BertrandRussell · 30/07/2019 17:14

Yep- thought so. I’ll tell them I caught a cat climbing in. Thank you all!

OP posts:
Proseccoinamug · 30/07/2019 17:17

We had an incident with a bird of prey. Cover the piggies!

Oldraver · 30/07/2019 17:22

My DS used to feed some piggies when the owners were away, only the last year the hutch had broken at the front so there wasn't a lockable door on the front. I was pertified we would come to them having ben got at by the foxes.

Owner was not thta bothered by it which was perturbing

Original poster
BertrandRussell · 30/07/2019 17:23

We have red kites round here- so at least they’d be eaten by a rare bird of prey.....

OP posts:
Popfan · 30/07/2019 17:26

@BertrandRussell I think you might live near me.... I don't think of red kites as rare as there are so many and we see them all the time! I suppose they still are though!

RiotAndAlarum · 30/07/2019 17:37

You are so kind, and clearly a more strategic thinker than your neighbours!

Original poster
BertrandRussell · 30/07/2019 17:48

Not kind at all- just mutual pet-sitting! Quite proud of the strategic thinking though!

OP posts:
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