We have bunnies, you lot have made me want piggies too

[Morethanalittlebitconfused]

Obviously they'd be in separate hutches but can they share a garden? DH is on board if they can

I've never kept rabbits, they hold no appeal to me but the reason why people love rabbits (they are beautiful, more independant, intelligent, acrobatic, slightly aloof) is the complete opposite of guineas.

I adore guinea-pigs because they are more dependant and vunerable.
Lazy, lardy.
Greedy.
Noisy, chatty with an array of different voices.
Pick them up and snuggle them without being mangled (ok my boar kicks -weird- and my new sow scratched me to ribbons but she's settling down)

We can walk round with a piggie inside our jumper, tucked into the shoulder and hold them close. See what's in the fridge.
Going out in the run is a huge adventure not "I need 24/7 access" with rabbits,

I know alot of people find guinea-pigs boring and a bit dim, but that's their appeal.
So everything you love about rabbits might be what you don't love about guinea-pigs.

Or, they might draw you away from the long-eared ones to The World of Pigs.

Fernie and Weeigie keep both, I'm sure if you asked which they preferred , they couldn't possibly comment

Would you advise if we got them we kept them in a run when we take them outside? Our bunnies basically get fed and let out for the day and herded back in as the sun goes down, have a cuddle and repeat the next day. They're spoiled as far as rabbits go, are very affectionate inquisitive and loving but very aloof

Id love a more cuddly pet but obviously if our bunnies run the risk of injuring them we wouldnt

I've had two piggies indoors for the past 4 years, we lost one last month and it was heartbreaking, but her sister is doing well and getting back to her chatty self :) I adore piggies, and they go outside whenever we can get them out, they're very susceptible to some conditions and you need to keep an eye on them daily, especially if outside as they are prey animals and so hide illness well so as not to be an easy catch. Ours have only ever had bladder infections or upper respiratory, and it cleared up with antibiotics in a few days.
They are the snuggliest and cutest pets we've had, and bathing them and clipping their nails is all part of the fun!! :)

They would definately need protected in the garden ( I know some people will free range their guinea-pigs and the ones I had as a child were but I wouldn't let my currant ones do it)

Foxes. Cats, Magpies, Birds of Prey , Dogs.
Even in the run our little black boar used to get harrassed by magpies . He did insist on larding up at the bars though

Damp, Draughts, Extremes of hot/cold

They cannot vomit so are vunerable if they eat certain plants
They need to eat pretty constantly or they get gut stasis (and eventual liver failure)

They need company. We had a bereaved GP1 (when GP2 died) and a bereaved GP3 (when GP1 died). They were very meh alone (for 6 days until we could arrange new guinea-friends)

Mine come in for winter nights, out in their Pighouse by day. In winter I worry about them being warm enough and a constant temperature.
In summer, I worry about them overheating.

I can put them in their run if I'm indoors but I wouldn't leave them out if I'm out of the house.

I drive an hour to the vet which has a Guinea-Pig Clinic and a Vet with an interest in guinea-pigs (luckily they haven't had any problems really. GP3 was neutered which was a huge decision to make)

Their diet allows them to have a wide range of veg/fruit, my fridge is full of guinea-pig food. My shopping gets commented on in Sainsburys "What do you cook with all that parsley? Mmm sweetcorn, lovely"
But they are my good vegetable eating babies

They are also quite allergenic (can be the hay) but DD is fine with smooth or abby fur, allergic to the rex fur.

Put them in a run when they go out and they'll be fine - just keep moving the run round for an almost neatly mowed lawn.

Piggies and bunnies can't really be left together just in case of injury. Most people would say the rabbit might attack or kick out at the piggies but ours is a daft, soft thing and lets them climb him, so in our case, it's more likely the rabbit would be injured (Scruffypig did once try to chew his ear). Also rabbits can pass on a respiratory disease onto pigs (rabbits aren't affected by it but can carry the virus). Ours only 'play' together very occasionally and always with supervision.

70 is right - I couldn't possibly say which is my favourite. My current pigs are my first venture into the piggy world and they're lovely. I wouldn't want to be without them. Until I got the pigs (3 years ago) I was a total 'rabbit person' but they have convinced me that pigs are great. When I got my pigs I'd been without a rabbit for 18 months. After getting the pigs I still missed having a bunny and a month later, Current Bun came home with me - he's a house bun. They are totally different in attitude/character and whilst I love the pigs chattiness and sociability, I also love being ignored by the rabbit (he does sometimes sneak up and demand strokes).