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Original poster

Summer home outside for my guineas

14 replies

ninja · 08/05/2013 00:42

We adopted 2 young boars for Christmas. They've been living inside in a cage around 1m x 50cm, but recently they've been outside on good days Smile

I'd love them to live out for the summer to get more freedom and wonder what to get.

We have an enclosed metal run, but was wondering about one if these

The thing is, when I do take them out they don't actually seem to like it that much! They just stay in their house or tunnel, I was wondering if they'd get used to it?

They're really sweet natured, but a bit timid and tbh not particularly active! They also don't squeak at us like our old ones did Sad

I have also considered giving them the run of the large (and expensive) play house that the kids never use.

OP posts:
fortifiedwithtea · 08/05/2013 01:43

I have an almost identical run in the link (it's my small run). It differs by not having the 'house bit' but did have the option of part floor which I never use as it takes up grass area. Still use it when I haven't an extra person to help me move the big run.

My big run is carpenter made (ebay bargain old couple got equiped for guineas then ill health made them decide against the idea). Big run is at least 3 x 5 and includes a house. Lazy littles buggers do have regular naps in their house during the day.

Original poster
ninja · 08/05/2013 07:55

I would happily look for bigger, but at the moment they don't really move around much anyway!

I just didn't want anything with a ramp as I'm worried that they won't go up it.

I wanted something that they could live in over the summer, is this one feasible or could it be too cold?

OP posts:
guineapiglet · 08/05/2013 08:54

Hi there, our run was identical to this, I painted it with cuprinol before the girls got inside it ( obviously!!) to give it some protection, it was pretty sturdy and the nice thing about the shape is that cats can't sit on the roof and intimidate the guineas when they are inside it! It might be once they get used to it they will venture out more and start exploring - you could also let them free range a bit inside the playhouse if it is not being used and is secure. These type of runs are not really safe enough to leave guineas in over night though, foxes and rats will always find a way in, and they can be tipped over with enough strength, - I was more than happy to leave mine in during the day and whilst I went out but brought them into the shed at night. Maybe a smaller night hutch inside the playhouse at night would help?

guineapiglet · 08/05/2013 08:55

PS pop a couple of igloos into the run as well, then they can run and hide in them if they dare to come out!

Original poster
ninja · 08/05/2013 09:44

Yes - we have igloos and tunnels for them to hide in - they love the tunnels and will hide in them, chew them and poo in them Hmm

Happy to bring them in at night, I could put their cage in the playhouse, or even just leave it inside.

I thought it would be nice to have something that they could be in all the itme over the summer (well apart from cuddles of course :) ) but I don't think there is anything perfect is there?

OP posts:
Kahlua4me · 08/05/2013 09:53

We had a big square run from pets at home, called the Rose Run.
In that I put a small hutch that was a box basically with a ramp to the ground, which had a lid on hinges too so was very easy to clean out. I can't remember where I got that from from.
I also put a big sheet of wood on top of the run to give them a bit of shelter and stop any would be predators from getting in.

My guineas loved it and would stay in that all summer long. They both lived until they were 8 and 9 so were happy with their lives.

Original poster
ninja · 08/05/2013 09:56

I've got a metal run a bit like this which I put them out in at the moment, and so I could consider getting the box in the picture, it's just I worry about the ramp!

OP posts:
guineapiglet · 08/05/2013 10:53

I think it is nice for them to be out and about in the summer - and I am sure they could manage such a short wide ramp ninja its the steep one in double storey cages which is more problematic for them - mine used to kind of jump into the shed ( not high jump, but even so!).

My concerns about them being in a wooden cage in such a secure looking run would be the temperature and also if other small /large furries could get in at night- I used to have ours in a shed, but in a huge hutch and when ( if) it ever got too hot would have to kind of prop the door open so they didn't over heat at night. < we were in NW. I think this happened 5 times in 10 years!!!!>, but as Kahlua says, they can be happy outside if they are fox proofed, suitably 'ventilated' and regularly checked on ( 8 or 9- those are very impressive ages)!! , so I think your arrangement would work well. You could try freecycle or gumtree for the hutch to go in the run, and put chicken wire along the edges so furries with long tails couldn't get in....... good luck!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 08/05/2013 11:01

Ninja I've got the ramp in your link (IIRC it's about 84"x48") and as it's sold as a rabbit run, it's a good height.
We use metal tent pegs to secure it (there's no base which is ok for gP but I don't know if rabbits could dig out).

The advantage is- it's huge, we put loads of tunnels and boxes inside (vary to keep the lardy boars interested)
It folds flat, so easier to store.
DH didn't want to be painting wood every couple of years.
When we had a leaky Pighouse roof (at 9pm one Sunday night last year) we put the rabbit run in the garage (not the cars home but concrete floor) with a load of cardboard and a huge bag of hay and straw to cosset them.

The triangulr run would be easier to move in Summer when the soil gets hard, it's a blighter to get the pegs in.

When we bought ours they recommended NOT to use the little wooden houses at the side. So we wired the side doors up and use the other two.
Shame because I liked the little housie but maybe there wasn't enough to protect them from foxes/cats/escape?

Original poster
ninja · 08/05/2013 14:16

ummm - the run we have is smaller than that (though larger than their inside cage) I wouldn't want to put a house inside it though.

Maybe in at night would be eaiser all round (and would make DD1 happy as they're in her room :) )

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 08/05/2013 14:40

84" run not RAMP Blush

Original poster
ninja · 08/05/2013 15:14

I worked that out (after boggling at how fit my piggies would be with all that exercise up and down each day).

ExH is getting rabbits for our girls so might suggest that run for him

OP posts:
Original poster
ninja · 09/05/2013 10:00

OK - I take it all back, they're not lazy guinea at all - at least not at 5am!!

I ended up in DD1's room last night, (as both girls decided to get into my bed Hmm and one has a hacking cough and grings her teeth Hmm Hmm) - by the time I got to sleep it must have been nearly 2am.

At 5am, they were running jumping, I had to check that they weren't fighting (they weren't) no wondered they're shattered for the rest of the day. This went on until it was time for me to get up.

Definitely need to get an outdoor space for them me thinks

OP posts:
Kahlua4me · 11/05/2013 17:40

The box pictured in your link, ninja is the same one I had for our guineas. They loved it!

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