Okay can we sum up everything I need to do before my guinea pigs arrive!!!

[lunavix]

We have a hutch. It is big enough for two, and will be in the garage during these cold months. I'd have them inside but can't afford a cage atm. I've been told to put a blanket or carpet over it during the night?
We'll put hay in it. Anything else? Obviously water and dried food.

We have a run. How often should they go out during the day, and how long for?

How often should I feed them fresh food? And is it better just in the run to stop bedding going yuck? Orange at least once a week, lots of carrot and cucumber, no lettuce.

I've been told just to chat to them first few days, then start picking them up once they're happy.

Anything else I need to know???

Change yer mind-fast!

BEWARE of foxes!!!!! to start with and yes give them lots of veggies..lots of hay to keep them warm...they can go out if its no freezing but if its too cold theyll just stay huddled up and wont run around anyway if theyre outside..

We put our two out everyday unless there is frost on the ground. Dh made a little house for them to go in inside their pen. They make great lawnmowers if you move the hutch every day! The run needs a lid of somesort to protect them from foxes and the local moggies.

We don't put the hutch in the garage in the winter as there isn't space - just put several old curtains and a plastic sheet over the hutch. They are 2.5 and are both fine. It depends where you live though - I'm in Cambridge - it would be different further north.

Ours have a carrot or piece of broc for breakfast and a bowl of dry food at night. They also like carrot peelings and apple peelings. They like lettuce too - I didn't know they wern't supposed to have it. They also love dandilion leaves as long as they are not from the roadside.

They are good company, ours chat to me when I go in the garden. I detested them when we first got them but now I think I'll be the most upset when they pop their clogs. hth.