Going Outside

[KPIGGY]

Hi All.
I am going to make a run for my girls so when we get some nice weather the can have a run around the garden.
The will be suppervised at all times.

What I would like to know is what materials are the best for making a run, what type of wood, chicken wire or mesh?

Can some part of the run go on the patio or does it have to be all on the grass?

Should the covered area of the run have a bottom to ir or not?

Should I make the run with a top or without? They will be supervised at all times and I thought if I made it very big we (me and kids) could sit in with them.

Do they need to have a bath when the come in from playing outside?

I know that they will need water when they are out. Do they still need their hay and food?

Any other sugestions would be great.
Thanks in advance
Kerry

[Aertyn]

I used Garden edgers from Bunnings Warehouse, (they snap together, and can be made bigger or large, depends on what you are after) I also bought a small piece of wire (square size 1cm or 1/2 inch) and made a roof. I'd suggest plastic as a run, or spare grids, as it can be easily packed up and stored in a small place

It's fine for it to be all on the grass.

I'd suggest not, as it makes it harder for the pigs to get to the grass (we had to cover the bottom with chicken wire after our female gave birth, and it made it really hard for them them to acess the grass, I had to go out and pull it through the gaps)

I'd suggest making it with a roof (just in case), I grab a towel and lay down and do Sudoku puzzles when they are out, they sometimes wander over and have a bit of a sniff, but your only hindering eating room (in their eyes anyway)

Unless they are dirty, or have muddy feet (avoid places that are damp so the really shouldn't), they don't need bathing.

As Hay is just dried Grass, they don't need Hay in their as well, I put their food in with them once, but they didn't touch it (so much grass, so little time!)

Don't put them in direct sunlight, or if you have to, throw a towel over one side that they can rest under, if it's a warm day with a beeze, I spray the towel with a water sprayer thing, and make sure it's facing so that the wind can go through the towel and into the run (I don't like using a pigloo as it takes up too much room), and make sure the grass area you pick doesn't get frequented by animals, (sometimes it's unavoidable, if you think an anmail has gone to the toilet there, spray it with some water, wait and hour or so, and it should have washed off the grass by then)

Hope I've helped you.

[bromers]

I got everything from B&Q Chicken wire and wood I then treated the wood so it is water proof but use one that is not harmful to amimals. Dont plave in direct sunlight ALWAYS have a shadded area food and water a must, It does not have to be all grass but it is nice. They do not need to bath everytime they are in there. I would make a top you don't have to but just in case your eyes drift away you don't want a stray cat having you guinea pigs. Hay you do not need Why would the run have a bottom they can just be on the ground.

Ok that is basically everything.

[Becky cavy mad]

If you have an old bed you could use that for the frame. thats what my dad did when he made ours. It makes a huuuuuge run if you use a double bed.

[lilmasweet]

Hi. I'm just starting out w/gp's. Actually I got them at Christmas for my son(10) but I'm the one who pays attention/takes care of them. Anyway I was thinking of enclosing my patio in the future so they can have that space to run around. Would it be ok to have the girls on concrete? Should I put something else down?

[weta!]

We use cubes fastened with cable ties, and use a thick polystrene cladding sheet as a roof, weighed down with paving stones. It wouldn't be dog proof (not a problem as there's none near us), but it's definitely cat proof. Using the cable ties means the cubes can simply be concertinaed away at the end of the day,