New guinea pigs Question.

GoWan

Hi, I've just got two new guinea pigs. Have a huge hutch for them with two levels am also making a run, ( on the grass, as the hutch is currently on concrete ), linked with a tube so they can go where they like. They are going to be outside during summer and moved into a large shed during any inclement weather.

One of the new guy is very chilled out, let's me pick him up no problem etc.. The other was darting around so left him alone to get to grips with his new surroundings. The upper level has a pull out part ( to make it easier to clean I presume ) but has a silver ( but cold bottom ) again for cleanliness.

Couple of Q's.

Is fleece the way to go for bedding? ( I have the wood type for the floor which I got in the pet shop? It would keep them warm and read it's more user friendly both to clean and for the environment.

I have a water bottle on the ground level. Neither of them have gone near it as yet. Should I move nearer them??

The ladder looks a little steep to me, but are they well able for running up/down steep inclines?

There's a large open part of their hutch approx 1.5 foot. The hutch itself is approx 3.5 foot tall, but was thinking of putting another shelf in the 'open' part, good or bad idea? Do they like open spaces?

Finally my garden is large but enclosed, is it a good idea to let them out while I'm with them?

Any other info ye have would be great.

Cheers,
Gowan...

mozzy

A great group to join is the Irish Guinea Pig and Rabbit group on Facebook they should be able to answer everything for you

Outkast_IRE

GoWan wrote: »

Hi, I've just got two new guinea pigs. Have a huge hutch for them with two levels am also making a run, ( on the grass, as the hutch is currently on concrete ), linked with a tube so they can go where they like. They are going to be outside during summer and moved into a large shed during any inclement weather.

One of the new guy is very chilled out, let's me pick him up no problem etc.. The other was darting around so left him alone to get to grips with his new surroundings. The upper level has a pull out part ( to make it easier to clean I presume ) but has a silver ( but cold bottom ) again for cleanliness.

Couple of Q's.

Is fleece the way to go for bedding? ( I have the wood type for the floor which I got in the pet shop? It would keep them warm and read it's more user friendly both to clean and for the environment.

I have a water bottle on the ground level. Neither of them have gone near it as yet. Should I move nearer them??

The ladder looks a little steep to me, but are they well able for running up/down steep inclines?

There's a large open part of their hutch approx 1.5 foot. The hutch itself is approx 3.5 foot tall, but was thinking of putting another shelf in the 'open' part, good or bad idea? Do they like open spaces?

Finally my garden is large but enclosed, is it a good idea to let them out while I'm with them?

Any other info ye have would be great.

Cheers,
Gowan...

I have kept guinea pigs for about 10 years now.

Personally i wouldnt let them run free outside, even under supervision you just never know what might happen, if one of them gets spooked by a bird etc they can move quick enough when they want to. I have seen a light bit of wire fencing available that creates almost like a play pen area for them on the grass this might work for you but just remember the guinea pigs will always need a shelter to go under, as they do not feel safe without a spot to run to and hide in.


Make sure the grass hasnt been treated with anything at all for the last 6 months.

It will take a few days to a week for the guinea pigs to settle. Never force interaction, some Guinea pigs like being picked up, others will always be a bit wary. For the ones that are wary then bribe them with food treats and get them used to being handled slowly.

Take some time and read up on what you can and cannot feed guinea pigs, there are some major no-nos in there such as iceberg lettuce etc that you need to avoid.

A good quailty hay should be the bulk of their diet, with a good quality dry nut to supplement, with a small amount of fresh veg/fruit daily. I highly reccomend the burgess Hay and nuts.

When we are setting in new guinea pigs we give them access to a small bowl of water for the first few days until they get used to their location and the position of the bottle etc. I would keep the water bottle near to where they will sleep or bed down for the night as guinea pigs will graze throughout the night and drink regularily during it. It might be an idea to have two bottles in the future, just clean them out a few times a week.

With regards to the shelf in the open spaces - Guinea pigs are prey to many animals - they spook easily and always need somewhere to run and hide to. If you are confident that they will be 100% secure in the setup you describe then try it out. Just remember it would not be unknown for cats, foxes or dogs to try and get into the guineas so be 100% confident that what you are doing will be secure.

I have used fleece / Towel / Newspaper layer method for bedding for about 7 years now - It costs much less in the long term than wood shavings and is certainly better for the guinea pigs lungs and health. The fleece bedding method does require daily or twice daily maintenance, you really do need to find what works for you, in your setup.

The Guinea Lynx website is great for reliable information

kathleen37

I wouldn't like them out in the garden in case any raptors saw them and had a go (buzzards etc..)

Guinea piggles are just wonderful. So chatty. All the above is excellent advice.

GoWan

mozzy wrote: »

A great group to join is the Irish Guinea Pig and Rabbit group on Facebook they should be able to answer everything for you

Thanks, I joined one yesterday will check out ia it the same. Cheers!

GoWan

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

GoWan wrote: »

Hi, I've just got two new guinea pigs. Have a huge hutch for them with two levels am also making a run, ( on the grass, as the hutch is currently on concrete ), linked with a tube so they can go where they like. They are going to be outside during summer and moved into a large shed during any inclement weather.

One of the new guy is very chilled out, let's me pick him up no problem etc.. The other was darting around so left him alone to get to grips with his new surroundings. The upper level has a pull out part ( to make it easier to clean I presume ) but has a silver ( but cold bottom ) again for cleanliness.

Couple of Q's.

Is fleece the way to go for bedding? ( I have the wood type for the floor which I got in the pet shop? It would keep them warm and read it's more user friendly both to clean and for the environment.

I have a water bottle on the ground level. Neither of them have gone near it as yet. Should I move nearer them??

The ladder looks a little steep to me, but are they well able for running up/down steep inclines?

There's a large open part of their hutch approx 1.5 foot. The hutch itself is approx 3.5 foot tall, but was thinking of putting another shelf in the 'open' part, good or bad idea? Do they like open spaces?

Finally my garden is large but enclosed, is it a good idea to let them out while I'm with them?

Any other info ye have would be great.

Cheers,
Gowan...

I have kept guinea pigs for about 10 years now.

Personally i wouldnt let them run free outside, even under supervision you just never know what might happen, if one of them gets spooked by a bird etc they can move quick enough when they want to. I have seen a light bit of wire fencing available that creates almost like a play pen area for them on the grass this might work for you but just remember the guinea pigs will always need a shelter to go under, as they do not feel safe without a spot to run to and hide in.


Make sure the grass hasnt been treated with anything at all for the last 6 months.

It will take a few days to a week for the guinea pigs to settle. Never force interaction, some Guinea pigs like being picked up, others will always be a bit wary. For the ones that are wary then bribe them with food treats and get them used to being handled slowly.

Take some time and read up on what you can and cannot feed guinea pigs, there are some major no-nos in there such as iceberg lettuce etc that you need to avoid.

A good quailty hay should be the bulk of their diet, with a good quality dry nut to supplement, with a small amount of fresh veg/fruit daily. I highly reccomend the burgess Hay and nuts.

When we are setting in new guinea pigs we give them access to a small bowl of water for the first few days until they get used to their location and the position of the bottle etc. I would keep the water bottle near to where they will sleep or bed down for the night as guinea pigs will graze throughout the night and drink regularily during it. It might be an idea to have two bottles in the future, just clean them out a few times a week.

With regards to the shelf in the open spaces - Guinea pigs are prey to many animals - they spook easily and always need somewhere to run and hide to. If you are confident that they will be 100% secure in the setup you describe then try it out. Just remember it would not be unknown for cats, foxes or dogs to try and get into the guineas so be 100% confident that what you are doing will be secure.

I have used fleece / Towel / Newspaper layer method for bedding for about 7 years now - It costs much less in the long term than wood shavings and is certainly better for the guinea pigs lungs and health. The fleece bedding method does require daily or twice daily maintenance, you really do need to find what works for you, in your setup.

The Guinea Lynx website is great for reliable information

Thanks for all the info :-) that's great.

willmunny1990

I personally found fleece a nightmare, very dirty and hard to keep clean, virtually impossible to get hair or hay out of it and the guinea pigs kept getting underneath it.

Also a lot of work went into its preparation, the wicking process can be difficult.

I switched to aubiose and find it great, no smell, dry, dust free and easy to spot clean.

gerrycollins

willmunny1990 wrote: »

I personally found fleece a nightmare, very dirty and hard to keep clean, virtually impossible to get hair or hay out of it and the guinea pigs kept getting underneath it.

Also a lot of work went into its preparation, the wicking process can be difficult.

I switched to aubiose and find it great, no smell, dry, dust free and easy to spot clean.

where do you get yours?

i can get a large bale of timber shavings (fills the back seat of my car size) for €9 in a local providers for animals and changing once a week i get quiet a lot out of it and i don't spare it.

Is it unhealthy for them?

willmunny1990

gerrycollins wrote: »

where do you get yours?

i can get a large bale of timber shavings (fills the back seat of my car size) for €9 in a local providers for animals and changing once a week i get quiet a lot out of it and i don't spare it.

Is it unhealthy for them?

I get it here and it lasts about 3-4 weeks:

https://www.omlet.ie/shop/chicken_keeping/poultry_bedding/9198/aubiose_bedding_-_20kg/

Some shavings are said to be harmfull, those made from pine or cedar usually get a bad rap.

Vojera

I prefer to have two water bottles at all times because sometimes they can get airlocked. At least if there's two there's a better chance that they'll drink from one of them.

I use fleece and have done for about 6 years and I find it great, but I've never used it in a hutch - I have indoor piggies. I use a cat litter tray lined with newspaper as my hay area, so that keeps most of the hay in one area and is cleaner.

Some pigs really don't like ramps, especially steep ones. Make sure it's grippy enough for them.