Yolky Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 I just read in another bit of this forum that there is a forumite who keeps her guineas in with her chooks, I am taking it that they are sectioned off. I would like some piggies and so I was wondering if you thought this was ok. Here is my walk in run... It is 8m x 2m and I have three girls in it. It is on slabs with woodchip for the chooks. I was wondering if I could section off the bottom 1m by 2m bit of the run and put a hutch in there and keep 2 piggies in there. I would section it off with a frame made of wood and covered in wire so the chooks cannot get in with the piggies but they could see eachother. This would mean the piggies would be in a safe area (we have foxes in the garden and my WIR is fox proof) and also my WIR is covered and so the piggies would be protected from the elements. The chickens would still have lots of room (a 2m by 3m square) so they would be ok. What do you think? Does this sound like it would work? Also do you think having the pigs there would make the chooks noisey (bokking at them and the like) or would they get used to them pretty quickly, they do ignore my cats who hang about the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 I think it sounds like a good idea, do you mean under the shelf, or where the branch is? I've seen chickens to guinea pigs together (and my quail and guinea pig share a run in the garden but live in separate hutches), although they were only little golden sebrights. I think the guineas might be more scared of the chickens than the other way round. I would make it so that it could be used separately just in case it doesn't work out, or so they can go on holiday in it etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted May 10, 2009 Author Share Posted May 10, 2009 It would be at the end where the branches are (they can be moved). They would be separate so far as the bit the guineas were in would be sectioned off by wire and I would also put a (hinged) roof on their area so the chickens could see them but not peck them. If it didn't workout my husband is pretty handy so could make them a run separate. It just the chooks run is already there, fox proof and also protected from the elements (I know piggies don't like the cold/wet much). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Ive got both but keep them separate my chooks are real peckers and id hate to see the damage they would Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted May 10, 2009 Author Share Posted May 10, 2009 Tara they would definately be separate so no pecking could happen. They would just both be kept separate within the safety of the big run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 I think it sounds great - all are very sociable creatures so would enjoy looking at each other! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks Aloud Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 I have my 3 GPs in with my chooks, but they are sectioned off. When I am cleaning them out they run in with the chooks, but I'm there to keep an eye on things. The GPs are not frightened of the chooks and quite happily run up to them - but the chooks will peck them if you are not in with them. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 How about making the partition two pieces of wire mesh with a gap in between of a couple of inches? then the chickens couldnt peck the piggies through the mesh, that should solve that problem If you made the GP run part 3ft high or so you could put solid wood above so the chickens can have a shelf to play on and not lose that part of their run totally? the GP should get shade and shelter from this but also get enough light and air through the sides Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
