Outdoor cage - Fox Proof

Hello

My daughter really, really wants a GP. My BF hates them. I used to have GPs as a kid, and they were kept outdoors. I used to live in south germany then, and they seemed to cope fine with the rather harsh winter conditions.

I now live in the UK, so cold winters are not so much a problem, but dampness and foxes are. How can I build an outdoor cage which is fox proof ? Would a raised hutch be enough to prevent it from getting too damp ? ( I would have to stuff the gap between the hutch and the floor with hay/straw during the winter ?)

I know you don't agree to outdoor GPs much, but this is the only compromise I can find.

Thanks
Sabine

[CavySpirit]

I would surf the cage links page and see what you can get for ideas from some other site. There are some hutch examples on some different pages. www.cavycages.com/links.htm

HI, I have always had cavies in the UK and they do fine outdoors. My sister currently has two who are loving life. Not sure if you have already stopped checking here but just in case, off ground cages are really good to help with the damp. My dad usually makes the cage out of wood with an angled roof (sloping backwards). It is made the accepted size ...not sure now though what that is. I think 2x2 ft per each GP????Better check that one!!! He then gets a piece of roofing felt which he nails to the top with overhang. We then usually cut some clear (to let the light in) plastic sheeting with a length of thin wood (for weight) on the bottom and top. We nail the top to the top front of the cage and then in bad rainy weather we pull it down over the front of the cage. We have also during the cold put a piece of carpet between the plastic and cage to insulate overnight. We also pack the cage with hay which the cavies love to eat their way through and has the added benefit of providing a little warmth.
This has always kept our cavies safe and warm and locks and latches on all of the doors have made them fox proof. A big windowless bedroom is a good idea for a safe haven for you pets. Luckily we have high fences around the garden so the GP's are allowed a free run all day which they take full advantage of and now go back in their cage at night on command! It is possible to easily build an enclosed run though out of reinforced chicken wire( the stronger the better to prevent foxes) and a wooden framework with lifting lid. They just need a little hide home in there. These solutions always work out much cheaper than buying and the guinea pigs seem to love it!!My first gp's lived for around 8 years.We have kept some ever since..... hope this helps...great childrens pets!