How to build a GP shed fit for a king

[RabbitsarenotHares]

DP's offered to build a shed for my guineas so that he can get the shed they've been wintering in back for his own use, and then the hutch they lived in during the summer can revert to it's original purpose as a palace for buns. It would have an attached run (though they'd have little access to it in the winter though) and electricity for a heater and light. They'd have a simple hutch in there for their food and bed (and I'd shut them in at night for added protection) and chicken wire across the bottom of the door in an attempt to prevent them escaping.

I was considering lino on the floor to make cleaning easier (can it be sealed with silicon or is that poisonous to cavies?) They'll have some tunnelly things though probably not much in the way of ramps as one has balance problems and is likely to fall off the edge.

What else would you do to make it the perfect home for guineas? I'm sure DP has some clue now he's lived with my boys for a year and knows what they need, but I'm sure you guys can come up with some fantastic ideas!

Can't really help but another pigmum on here has a similar set up for her boys and will be able to advise.

70 - where are you? This is one for you.

Aaah small matter of work gets in the way [sigh]

Our pigs have my DC old playhouse (one of those Swiss Chalet types) IIRC it was built when my DD was 2yo, now she's nearly 12

The floor is wooden (and slightly raised which I was glad of in the flooding we had this winter). DH stripped it back and painted to about 2' on the walls and the floor with guinea-safe paint.
I put cardboard on the floor +newspaper. In the haybox I've got a huge rubber carboot liner that I bought from Costco and some smaller rubber car-mats . Have to make sure they are out of reach.

You might be able to get a lino offcut that would fit the base, and you could take it out to air it (and you wouldn't need silcone)

I did think about putting a hutch in the Playhouse but decided just to give them the whole floor. They have a big haybox with a hinged lid (made from an old bookcase) and they did have a ramp but never used it, so we removed it.
DH put a barrier across the door (about 3' high, fixed) and there's a screen door half wood, half reinforced plastic coated metal mesh + fine fly mesh.

Ventilation is something to think about, the wooden houses can get really hot. One window can come out and the inside is reinforced (wood, the metal mesh and the fly mesh) that is secured inside the pighouse.

Light- (no fun scooping pooh in the dark )
Heat- heater, Snugglepads
Fan- essential to summer, GPs can get heatstroke very quickly.

I;m trying to convince DH to build a brick walled run at the front or side but I've no idea how to attatch it. There are those Rabbit Run tunnels and a catdoor stle doorway (would have to cut a hole in the wall)

If I was going to make our Pighouse perfect, I'd move it up the garden. At the moment it's in front of the garage (I store their clobber there and there's the electricty connection) but it would be nice not to have to totter down the path (ankle deep in water in winter, crushing snails just now )

Your pigs will be extremely spoiled

Thanks so much to both of you, Fernie for putting the call out and 70 for giving me such a detailed answer. That's brilliant.

What paint is guinea-proof? Will be going to the shops at the weekend so can pick some up. Not that I can see this happening any time soon, but it'll be good to have stuff in.

We have some spare Lino in the attic which could be used. The problem is they chew any edges they can get at when they're in the kitchen (not that I encourage this you understand) and I'd be wary of them having unrestricted access 24/7, which is why I thought of siliconing the edges. We'll think of something,

Definitely a heater and light. Have been confusing the neighbours by keeping a light on in the shed for a few hours every evening. I was worried about their lack of light. (Yes, I know I'm a right one!) A fan had crossed my mind, as had the need for an openable window.

Snuggle pads are already a firm favourite. The wee one kept trying to persuade me he needed breakfast in bed as he couldn't possibly leave his nice warm bed! They'll definitely be getting them back next winter! I've already decided I need some shelves to store stuff on. (The guineas don't really need 5.5 feet of height anyway!)

No idea where he's planning on putting them but it'll be somewhere near the house anyway. We already have an outside socket and a wire running through the garden so there we're not restricted from that POV.

They'll definitely have a run. I'd just ordered a connection kit from Rabbit Runaround which I no longer need for the purpose I bought it for so I'm sure that can be utilised somehow. I want to be able to shut them up in a hutch so that in the winter I can insulate that more. This winter I'd have the heater on during the day and then cover their cage with throws overnight.

Anyway, thanks to you both. Lots of food for thought there, and I'll be printing this off for him to have a read through.

Thanks, (from me and the wee ones!)