Guinea pigs - advice for complete beginner

[scrappydappydoo]

We are thinking about getting our DC a pet(s). For various reasons dh and I never had pets when we were kids so this is completely new for us. DC want something furry so we're thinking guinea pigs. DC are 10 & 8.
We want to get all the info first before making a final decision.. what do I need to know?
I am mostly confused about where they live. We don't have much room indoors except for a conservatory which gets boiling in the summer so I'm thinking that's not good. We have a garden that could take a hutch but I've read conflicting advice about them being kept outside all year ( we are SE England).
Also can you recommend a good book/website to read about guinea pig care?
Just to add we haven't made up our mind completely yet - just doing the research!
Thanks in advance.

That is the cage we had indoors and I'm afraid we had a constant stream of sawdust and poo pellets being kicked out into the hall. It stank - we had one, maybe two days after a clean where it was ok and that was it. I do agree the squeaking is sweet though - but it depends on whether you will like it when you creep downstairs in the morning and struggle to pour a bowl of cereal without waking dc!

What about a hamster or gerbils if you don't have a lot of room?
I had been considering pigs for a while and then boarded 2 nursery ones during the summer holidays and quickly changed my mind. They were so messy! Think wood shavings and hay everywhere. They needed daily cleanouts. And I think they were going through puberty - one of them was constantly humping the other. I let them have the run of the living room for exercise and they weed everywhere. That said, they were very cute, I loved the squeaks every morning when we got up and opened the fridge

After that we decided a hamster would suit us better and he is much easier to look after. His cage isn't all that much smaller but he only needs a full clean out every fortnight with a 'wee corner' clean every few days. He's a little character

I have 2 girls, the more you 'put' into them the more you get back. Little guinea pigs are soooo cute BUT they are squiggly, scratchy, skittish and wriggly.They also move like greased lightening! You need patience at this time to get them used to you, to being handled and cuddled. I think that this is the stage when children get bored, do not put the time in, the piggies remain skittish and children start to ignore their pets and they become a burden or end up in a rescue.
I am of mature years, I have had various pigs - usually from rescues, since 1990. I cannot imagine life without them. In the spring/summer/early autumn they live in a large hutch in our summer house, but this is only at night and rainy days. Mostly they have a pen on the grass and they are out for all time it is warm enough. Usually in the winter they live in our utility room.
When we first had them we bought a solidly built hutch from an old fashioned pet shop, it is huge and over the years DH has repaired and adapted it.
My current girls are really social, love our company and have very different personalities. All the children in our close love them and visit for cuddles. All pets need care and attention guineas are no different.
Only downside is that pairs don't die at the same time, so you need to think about what if?
Oh and check you children are not allergic before you buy.

They take a lot of looking after ( I wouldn't say theyre good for kids to maintain, if you don't want to put too much work in maybe gerbils would be better as they are still fun to watch but with a big enough cage they are quite low maintenance) but they are great if you have the time and patience to tame and clean them. Love mine to bits! I have 4 indoors in a c & c cage and no problem with smell as long as I keep on top of the mess.

I've had various guinea pigs over the last 10 years. To get the most enjoyment, house them indoors. Don't use sawdust or wood shavings it dries their skin and can give respiratory problems. I line the hutch with newspaper and a layer of hay. The hutch is 5ft long (intended for outside). Hay gets everywhere.

Best combination is neutered male and one or two sows.

They are unable to vomit (hoorah) but that also means you have to be extra careful not to give them anything disagreeable. Some plants are poisonous to them. Lots of information on previous threads about what gp's can eat.

I clean mine out every other day or even daily if needed. They poo and wee for England.

They are brilliant pets but Millie (nearly 6 years) will be our last. Eldest DD wants a dog and that is not happening whilst we have Millie