Part 0800.0005

[Millie-Annie]

Or whatever the guinea version is called. What I want to know though is during the winter months when they can't go out in the run, is the hutch bit big enough and how do they get any fresh air?

[Sheilaz]

Well, mine have been through 2 winters and, after 20 years of wooden hutches, I've been very happy with the Guinlu. However, I do recognise that it depends on personal circumstances & preference.

 

My Guinlu is on paving under a porch next to the kitchen door and, with a raincover on the run in winter, is protected from the worst of the elements, and I'm near London, as opposed to less sheltered area.

Yes, they do spend a large proportion of their time inside the accommodation in the winter, but then they are snuggly, and no worse off than the winter arrangements I made previously.

They do come out in the run for fresh food, but the ground is kept dry & I even use a carpet offcut near the door to keep their feet warm. I leave the door ajar but shut at night.

 

We bring them indoors for a play, and more so in the winter when they can't be on the lawn during the day.

 

This works for us, I think they are content, sheltered from damp, & safe and the Guinlu gets the thumbs up from me.

Let us know what you decide.

[Millie-Annie]

Thanks Teabag. I have more questions, how easy is it to move? My two go out in their run every day and they always eat all the grass in the run, so I pick it up and move it the next day. Is the Guinelu that easy to move? Do you keep it on the grass all summer? I don't put mine on the grass until about lunchtime at the moment as it is still damp and dewy.

 

I do really like the look of it, but still think in the Winter it wouldn't be suitable. At the moment I have a 4ft hutch. Both the sleeping compartment and the other side have floors I can lift out, so I just wipe them with pet disinfectant, put them back, add newspaper and wood shavings and hay in the sleeping bit. How do you keep the outside floor clean when it is on concrete or paving slabs? I also think being on the floor would be really cold for them and their feet.

 

Hope you dont mind me asking, only it is a lot of money and I don't want to make a mistake.

 

Thanks for your help

[Loopy Loo]

I am thinking of getting a guinlu for my guineas. I currently have a two tier wooden hutch with the pull out tray which I thought wuld be brill but it all still needs cleaning thoroughly each time. I am liking the idea of the guinlu as it just looks so easy to clean but I do worry as I have a paved back garden (tough on paws) and its south facing so would need to make sure the run is covered in the sunny months. I may consider converting a section of the garden so it is part grass and part concrete!! It is a lot of money to spend though so need some guidance myself as to whether the guinlu is worth it. Decisions Decisions!!!

 

What set up do you have currently?? Sorry to encroach on your thread!!!!

[Millie-Annie]

Don't worry about encroaching on my thread, all comments more than welcome.

 

At the moment I have a 4ft hutch. The sleeping compartment is about 1ft square and the rest is the outside area. What I really like about my hutch is it is top opening, so makes catching the guineas easier, though my boy is so laid back that isn't a problem. The floor of both ends lifts out and is covered in a plastic coating so I can just spray it and wipe it.

 

It stands on the decking, under the roof overhang so nice and dry.

 

http://www.justcages.co.uk/products/trixie-natura-single-rabbit-hutch-116x92x63cm

This is mine, it is 4 years old and I have been really pleased with it. Don't really need to change it, but fancied a guinlu

[Loopy Loo]

My hutch is a Trixie too: http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/rodents/cages/rabbit_hutches/natura/14642

 

The girls dont go done the bottom loads but are quite happy running up and down the ramp!! Like you I just fancied a change too!!!! Have had a measure up in the garden and the cage does take up quite a bit of space but I like it so shall probably go for it especially after looking at how easy the cleaning out is!!! Even a full clean looks a dream! Having a wood free cage makes sense!! I guess the only question I have is what life expectancy these cages have, they are plastic but I wonder whether they will become brittle!!!!

 

If I had a bigger garden I would most certainly have the chicken one too!!!

[katehicken]

I had a wooden run and a wooden hutch but switched to an eglu in september. I love it and so it seems do my two guinea pigs. It is very easy to clean and move. We move it every couple of days so that they get fresh grass and in winter it is on a patio area near the house so they have a more sheltered spot. I think they last quite a while. My chicken one is second hand so is about 5 years old now and shows no signs of age.

[Loopy Loo]

Thanks Katehicken!!

 

I am 90% decided on getting the guinlu now!! One problem being that my current cage is only just over a year old!!! The other being that my girlies run will be on concrete unless I can create something with some grass at the end but I am limited on space in my back garden which has no grass. The more I think about it, they will be no worse off as the bottom of their cage is on the concrete but its just that they dont spend a loads of time down there but the guinglu will enable to them the freedom to be in the run without the ramp etc......

[Millie-Annie]

I have gone the other way and decided not to. I don't have the downstairs for my guineas just the top part of the hutch, but it doesn't stand on the ground it is on legs so off the ground.

 

I don't like the thought of them being straight outside onto cold concrete in the depths of winter and also in the summer the grass is damp until midday at the moment.

 

So they would spend a lot of time shut in the dark whereas at the moment they come into the outside part of the hutch to eat and to see what it going on in the garden

 

But thanks for your input it really helped prevent me spending a lot of money I think I would have regretted.

[deborah palmer]

General note to all g/pig owners. You can put them out on damp grass providing they have a dry area to get off the grass ie. a box or 'igloo' about 4 .00 from pet stores. I line mine with newspaper. I have 2 rescue guineas & put them out all year round, weather permitting. My previous 2 lived well into old age. I love the design of the Eglus for them but they just too pricey!

[Tricky]

sorry Omlet but you know my views on eglus for Guineas. developed in a time when Avian Flu was causing panic.

Guineas are very prone to cold and damp conditions such as can be found in Autumn and Winter.

They need to be inside a shed or garage ( as long as car fumes are not a risk) during cold spells and the RSPCA has clear guidelines on minimum sizes for Guineas.

 

The eglu would be fine in dry summer months when they spend time in the run but Guineas are the most efficient mowers. You will need to move it around several times in a week.

[Millie-Annie]

I completely agree with you Tricky. I am glad I didn't buy one. Guineas are so low to the ground their tummies get damp and in the winter this can lead to chills. I don't even put mine out at the moment until the grass is completely dry and every morning I am wandering around lugging my run with me looking for the best bit of grass. How do I do that with an iglu?