My outdoor housing idea - Page 2

**mncavylover** · #21 10-26-04, 05:34 pm

Thanks for the detailed response. Sorry I seemed to have missed a bit of info from your last posts. I am really glad that you're giving them this awesome space to live in! Just wanted to make sure that they were getting great care, which they do seem to be getting. As for rabbits and pigs, I don't really agree with your decision but they seem to be doing ok. As long as they get proper nutrition and care, and you understand the risks, that's as much as I can do.

Thanks again! I hope the shed works out for you.

TinaFabulous · #22 11-18-04, 10:58 am

Can anyone who has a shed email me and then show me a pic of it?? Im really curious to see what they look like

bunnycavyresq · #23 12-02-04, 02:16 pm

A note on being careful about housing rabbits and guinea pigs together. I am part of an organization that rescues several species of small animals, although we primarily recieve rabbits. We currently have three rabbits who were surrendered after they killed their guinea pig companions. One killed the pig once she (the rabbit) reached sexual maturity, and the other two after each had been living with the victims for several years. Guinea Pigs are completely defenseless against larger, stronger, more aggressive animals like rabbits. It only takes a few seconds for the rabbit to fatally wound a GP, so I wouldn't chance it. EVER. We once recieved a rabbit and GP together, and seperated them, so now they are housed alone, but near others of their own species. Keep in mind also that female rabbits are much more aggressive than males (this refers to unaltered rabbits). Also, in reference to a rabbit's strength, I once had a dwarf rabbit kick a "snow globe", and the thing exploded with just the one kick! I also have a deep scar on my wrist from being bitten by a rabbit who was aiming for another rabbit but missed!

**Piglet** · #24 12-02-04, 04:17 pm

Just out of interest, where in SE england do you live?

**Smudger** · #25 12-02-04, 04:30 pm

Ok, a couple of things:

Firstly, I'm dropping my outside housing idea. I still believe that it can be done safely, the reason I have abandoned it is that it started to weigh heavily on my mind that sheds are an easy target for burglars, and although I could make the outdoor housing safe from the elements and natural predators, I don't feel I can make it safe from some thug who may decide to play 'kick the guinnea' when he finds there is nothing to steal in the shed. Well, not without a lot more money than I have anyway.

Secondly, rabbits and guinneas living together-how do I remedy this? I've pointed out that I have very limited space, and although I could house them seperately it would greatly reduce each living space, and they would be lonely. It seems that the majority of replies in this thread are people pointing out what I'm doing wrong without offering any advice as to how I can make it better. Had I known rabbits and guinneas living together was a bad idea I would never have done it, and now I do know it drives me crazy with worry. Is it possible for me to pair them up by species and have them be happy with it, perhaps with some 'training' of some kind, or have I no choice but to house them all seperately? The eldest rabbit is being neutered on Tuesday, so that's a step in the right direction, but beyond that I don't know what to do.

**mncavylover** · #26 12-05-04, 03:32 pm

If they are the same sex, you can try housing them by species. That sounds like a lot better of an idea. They'll like it even better, I'm sure. =)

**ChadWPB** · #27 12-06-04, 01:33 pm

I think outdoor spaces are a terrible idea for something that is completely domesticated and should be part of the family. I never thought of the thug factor, though. Interesting.

**bunnyluv17** · #28 12-06-04, 01:54 pm

He/she said earlier that the two male guinea pigs fight. Two male rabbits can be tough to bond, but not impossible if they are neutered.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mncavylover

If they are the same sex, you can try housing them by species. That sounds like a lot better of an idea. They'll like it even better, I'm sure. =)

**tashagurl** · #29 12-06-04, 01:58 pm

I think outdoor environments work for some people. Others might not spend as much time with their pigs.

When my o. e. was up I did lots of my homework out there with them. My mom thought I was spending too much time with them.

**ChadWPB** · #30 12-06-04, 02:49 pm

Guinea pigs, being domesticated cannot withstand large temperature fluctations. A shed with a sophisticated heating and cooling system with a thermostat does help. Unfortunately, that might be prohibitively expensive for most piggie slaves. (Like me.)

Also, being in the house shields them from a lot of urban/suburban noise, if applicable. Houses have much thicker walls than most sheds.

One can never spend too much time with their pigs, IMHO. ;+)

**tashagurl** · #31 12-07-04, 12:36 am

In San Diego our weather is pretty stable. If there is any possibility of the weather becomeing too hot or cold I bring them inside. I hate to do that because all I have so far are petstore cages. They are all inside now.

I told my mom I cant spend too much time with them

**John4216** · #32 12-15-04, 01:04 pm

I would add a suggestion for your outdoor part...Add a fine mosquito netting to it so this will reduce the odds of them contracting something from an insect such as mosquito's. biting flies, ticks, fleas, etc...

Another suggestion I would add (this is more a if you could afford it type thing) is that you can always construct a greenhouse that is piggy proof and piggy friendly with grass and clover and such growing in it...this would be the outdoor section for them and it really isnt "outdoors" other than not being in your flat...you can find greenhouses as small as your shed (or build your own if your skilled that way). If you did this you could then also have seperate areas for your bunnies and piggies (if you want) by having a divider...the greenhouse also is easier to heat/cool than an insulated shed and its secure from outdoor predators, pests, and chemicals from neighbors etc...

Just some suggestions, hope they might be of some use to and g/l

**tashagurl** · #33 12-15-04, 02:22 pm

The mosquito netting is a GREAT idea! Where could I find some? My yard is WAY too small to put up a greenhouse. We are moving soon though so maybe when our yard is bigger I can do that. Of course, when we move I will have enugh room to put up two huge cages indoors for all my pigs. I told my mom thats my only requirement for the new house. I need the room to put up two pig cages. My room is pretty big right now, but its crammed with bookcases and desks that cant be removed.

Now that its winter my pigs are inside. I have them in two 2x1 1/2 on a plastic table cloth with towels for bedding. Its not ideal, but it is bigger and easier to clean than the petstore cages they were in last year.

**John4216** · #34 12-15-04, 10:39 pm

You can find netting in stores that sell camping/hunting gear often or such the web for it...I only take me piggies outside for play time during the summer and sit with them while they run around in their outside cage so I can be sure nothing happens but the bug thing worried me because I cant spray or use anything because anything that hurts the bugs hurts the piggies..so thats when I got the mosquito netting idea...cheese cloth might work also though i am not sure about that..

**tashagurl** · #35 12-17-04, 12:21 am

Thanks a lot!

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