Outside 'Play Cage'

[Tatalp]

One day I was bored, and so my dad and I built an outdoor cage for my 2 piggies. It's really spacious, and we have a plastic mesh covering over it. I can see the cage from the basement, so I can just watch TV/be on the computer while keeping an eye on the pigs. The cage is 5.5' by 6' so the pigs have plenty of room to run. I'll post pictures later. Has anyone else done this for their pigs?

[Piglet]

Wow! That sounds really good. I too have a play pen but it is simply made from leftover cubes. Mine's as big as yours (I think) and they love it.

[Slap Maxwell]

You need to be outside supervising your pigs at all times, period. You have predators that could break into your run in seconds while you are not looking.

[babyhippie]

Yep, I'd be too afraid that something would snatch my pigs if I wasn't right there, even though our yard is fenced. Our neighbor lets his cats run loose & they keep making more. It's bad enough that they walk on my car; I'd be devastated if they got to my pigs. (It's too hot for outdoor time here right now anyway, but I hope to get them out for a little while during the day this fall.)

[suzy_99]

We have an outdoor run that we use on occasion. It it made from 2x4's and a heavy duty metal fencing (better then chicken wire). We have it stacked right into the ground so that nothing can come and lift it up and the spaces in the fencing are so small that nothing bigger than a chipmunk could get in. I personally do not constantly supervise them but they are never left alone for more than 5 minutes and are usually only in the run for about 1 hour. I personally do not have all that many predators to worry about besides one fox who decided to make our backyard its home; however, I really don't think that he would be able to get into the cage anyhow, since it is also locked when they are in it.

[Piglet]

It really depends on where you live. We have no predators (do pigeons count?!) and so I can leave them outside without constant supervision. We can see the play pen from our living room and so somebody checks up on them every now and again.

[Guinea_Gal]

i just use cubes strung together with zip ties. I'll take a picture next time. It's huge!

[CattOfTheGarage]

I've had two runs, the first one a little one, the second a big deluxe version, and they were both much the same. Maybe this will help people for ideas:

It's basically a bit rectangular wooden frame, covered with chicken wire on the top and three sides. The fourth side is closed in with plywood to make the back wall of a house. The house also has a raised floor and plywood roof, all attached to the frame. The wall which faces the inside of the run is a long door, hinged at the top and bolted at the bottom, with a gap at one end so that pig can get in and out when it's closed.

The house gives shade or shelter and a bit of warmth (you can put hay in there), and catching the pigs is dead easy - when you approach the cage, they will run into the house. Then you just tip the cage up - gently- so that the back wall of the house is on the ground and the door is on the top. Then you unbolt the door, reach in and pick up your pigs.

What's more, it's really strong and quite heavy, very good against predators, of which our worst were cats and foxes. I'd never put a pig on a lawn in an open run. It only takes a minute when your back is turned.
It works really well. We got the idea from Olga da Polga (the door was our own embellishment).

[piggerlisious]

yes !!!!!! my pigs have a run i leave them in it ! we have no predotors eather.and the run is secure.i think any one with out letting there pgs eat gass is rathere mean.i would not like to be coped up in a cage 24 7!

[VoodooJoint]

Originally Posted by piggerlisious

yes !!!!!! my pigs have a run i leave them in it ! we have no predotors eather.and the run is secure.i think any one with out letting there pgs eat gass is rathere mean.i would not like to be coped up in a cage 24 7!

Neither do they like being left outside in the heat, cold, rain, snow, bugs, parasites, thunder and lightening 24 7.

[TheQueen]

I have an outdoor run and the girls love it! It's a 5x6 made from leftover cubes and zip ties. I love taking pictures while they "mow" the lawn! =D I'm always out there with them though. Sometimes I'll bring out a blanket and lay down with them. Queen always tries to go up my pant legs though. :P

[piggerlisious]

Originally Posted by voodoojoint

Neither do they like being left outside in the heat, cold, rain, snow, bugs, parasites, thunder and lightening 24 7.

well for your information i put them out when its sunny they have shelter and shade thank you very much!!!!!!!!!! besides when did i say i leave them out in the rain?????

[VoodooJoint]

Originally Posted by piggerlisious

well for your information i put them out when its sunny they have shelter and shade thank you very much!!!!!!!!!! besides when did i say i leave them out in the rain?????

You basically said it here http://cavycages.com/forum/showpost....7&postcount=21

in these words.

"my pigs rare kept outside in sacure hutches. to me them being outside is more natural."

[piggerlisious]

Originally Posted by voodoojoint

You basically said it here http://cavycages.com/forum/showpost....7&postcount=21

in these words.

"my pigs rare kept outside in sacure hutches. to me them being outside is more natural."

yes i meen they are outside in hutches at night they hve a treee right above hem and there hutches are warm with lots of hay!!! and when its sunny they go in a run where they can get grass!!!!!!

[VoodooJoint]

So they live ouside all the time, just like you said. If the hutches aren't inside the house with you, then they are outside.

[piggerlisious]

Yes but they are warm and well loved and come in the house to play ect

[chipinator]

i have a pen i let chip out in, we have a hawk near us butt he doesn't like my house on account of three dogs. Of course i'm always near and he's ussualy in the pens house.


with the two of you going at it like that they should make a debate thread so people can argue