Big enough?

[Abi F]

Ok, I live in the UK, and during the summer I house my pigs outside. I understand that many people disagree with this, but a) the dangers, especially climate-wise, are less over here and b) my mum wont let me have them inside during the summer (please don't tell me I shouldn't have got them etc etc, I didn't know that they even shouldn't be outside in the winter when I got them, since I have friends who house theirs' outside all-year-roud (yes I have spoken to them)) What I want to know is, for three guinea-pigs who spend all day from when the sun rises to when it sets out on the lawn in a (very secure) run and only go in their hutch at night, coming in to have floor-time if it's raining and they can't get on the lawn, is 90cm by 30cm enough sleeping space, it's what they have at the moment but I have time to 'grow' it before next summer if necessary (but don't have the money to do it if they don't really need it, I'd have to take it out of other things) and I wanted to know your opinions. Thanks for any advie,
Abi xxx

 

[Percy's Mom]

90cmX30cm is less than a 1X3 cage which is less than half of what is recommended by the forum to house 1 or 2 pigs, much less three. You can't just put your pigs to bed. They don't sleep all night long and need to have at least the minimum amount of room to run around at all times. For 3 pigs, that would be a 2X5 grid area or approximately 72cmX178cm.

 

[Abi F]

Ok, I;ll just say now so I don't seem completely clueless that they do have a 3 by 5 for the winter, but if they need more during the summer I guess I'd better start looking at (much) bigger hutches, thanks for the help,
Abi xxx
Ps. They don't sleep all night? I thought they would, after all the concentrated eating they do during the day! Hehe, I should really start sorting out my facts...

 

[Maisiepaisie]

Are there any reasons your mum won't let them inside during summer? Even during summer there are temperature fluctuations that guinea pigs don't cope with well. I'd advising talking to your mum and show her this link https://www.guineapigcages.com/location.htm (scroll down to the bottom).

 

[Abi F]

*sigh* yes been there, done that, I'm afraid. Although, whilst I can totally see where you're coming from, in some ways they do prefer being outside; they love the fresh-air. But yes, I'd keep them inside, in my room, all year round if I could, but unfortuanately it's not an option until I hit eighteen and move out. By which time, although I hate to say it, I'm unlikely to still have the guineas I have currently, or at least not all of them ,
Abi xxx