Hutch/run area

[Bellebelle]

I've decided I'd like to make a run for the piggies. This will only be a temporary cage so the pigs can have a run on the grass and just enjoy themselves, but I want to make something that is very strong and sturdy so that it can stay outside and nothing can break into it or wreck it.

So far my plan is to have the whole thing 200 cm x 90 cm. The bottom floor will just be a large wire enclosed area, it will have a wire floor because the last thing I need is for rabbits to burrow into there. They've done it to our chook coop once as well. So it'll have a wire floor and wire sides. This will have a lid that opens on top but latches down for extra security.

On top of that there will be an enclosed area running the full length of the cage. It will measure 200 cm x 40 cm. This will have a front opening door. I'm not sure how enclosed it will be yet. It needs to be a space where they can get away if the weather turns nasty, but it will also need to be made so that they can't overheat while being up there. So maybe a few mesh "holes". This will have a colourbond roof and a long ramp running down to the bottom level.

Does anyone have any other ideas for this? theres a very nice lawn hutch at the pet store in town (the pet store supports rescuing, it just supplies all the bits and pieces and all cages are equal to or bigger than a 2 x 3 C&C cage) But its a very nice hutch, it measures 1.5 x 1 m. I'd like to try my hand at building my own first though.

The pigs only get brief goes on the lawn because we have eagles and I don't want them out there, even if they are with me when there are the eagles around. They tried to take off with our Maltese dog once, Latte bit them and they havn't had a go at him since.

Thanks in advance
Emma

[Ly&Pigs]

The one thing I wouldn't do is put a wire floor in. Cavies can get caught in them and it's bad news. No cavy should ever be put on a wire floor.

If you put them in an outside run you need to be outside with them to supervise. If you are supervising then the rabbits shouldn't be able to burrow underneath. It would need to be placed in an area where there is some sun but also some shade. Don't take them out on extremely hot days as they can get heat stroke. Your run sounds like a nice idea and will give them outdoor time but usually they only need a couple hours or so of outdoor time per day and it really does need to be supervised time.

[Bellebelle]

Blah I just asked my Dad and he said the wood would rot. So how do you keep the wood from rotting? Every outdoor hutch I've ever seen has been made of wood so are they treated with something?

Thanks Emma

[Ly&Pigs]

More than likely they are treated with something. I think it would have to be animal safe though in case the animals decide to chew on the wood.

[Bellebelle]

oky doky, I'll have a look around to see whats animal safe. Dads new idea is that we use some old piping he has lying around. It would make a cage that measures 1m x 0.5m, its miniature, now Dads sulking because I said it was too small, I knew there was a reason why I make my own cages.

Emma