Eglus?

[merrycat]

I'd like to give my piggies a little outdoor playtime/grazing time while the weather is good. While i was looking into various arrangements when I came across the eglu:

(http://www.omlet.co.uk/products_services/products_services.php?view=Guinea%20Pigs)

It actually seems pretty good, and I like that it has a an insulated house where complete with water and feeder, so they can go inside if they are thirsty, hot, scared, whatever. Before buying it though, I was wondering if anyone's had any experience with it, and if so, how did your piggies like it? Is it sturdy Was it light enough to move easily to fresh grass? How easy is it to clean? Would I be better off just making a C&C one?

Though the piggies will be supervised, we sometimes have crows, and I want to be sure that, if we get distracted even for a second, nothing will happen to them.

Thanks for your help!

[Percy's Mom]

First of all, if there is a chance you might get distracted, I wouldn't recommend taking your pigs outside.
Second, the eglu looks really cool, but personally, I think it would be a waste of your money. To be of any real value, you would want to get the rabbit one to have a good amount of space for your pigs to play, and you could build a roofed pen out of cubes that is a lot larger for a lot less money.

[daftscotslass]

The house is made from solid plastic so if left in the sun and the pigs choose to go in it, they will literally cook. It's too expensive, particularly for something that could double as an oven.

[muffin]

Woah! That is so expensive! I agree with Percy's Mom - and spend what's left over on timmy hay! Sorry, guinea pig telepathic intervention. Anyway, yes, a hidey or two is fine in the run, with maybe a shaded area too since hideys can get a bit hot. You should be out there with them all the time, it just takes a second for a fox to crush or tip a covered run, or shove their way under.

[merrycat]

Thanks for your advice. I think I'll go with a c&c enclosure. Do you think that wooden hidey holes will be cooler for them? I'd like them to have a place to go if they want to get out of the sun for a few moments, and where I can keep their water out of the sun too.

We don't have foxes here, as far as I know. But just to be on the safe side, I have these pin type things I can drive into the ground so that the pen can't just be tipped over.

I do intend to stay out in the yard, but, well, I guess I'm just paranoid. I just feel like I have to over-design the darn thing or the predators will somehow get around me anyway. I guess I'm just an over protective mummy... but they look soooo small and helpless, I can't help it!