Housing your Guinea Pigs
Traditional Hutch
A traditional hutch is the most popular form of accommodation. However, don’t be fooled by the adverts in pet shops as the majority of their hutches will not be suitable for a pair of piggies! The minimum requirements for a hutch is 5ft in length for 2 sows and 6ft in length for 2 boars. The hutch must also be 2ft in depth and 2ft in height – but these can be hard to find! It is important for the hutch to have the following:
A separate “bedroom” area (for warmth, shelter, privacy and as an escape)
Enough space for a pair of pigs to get away from each other
A “bedroom” area big enough for both pigs to fit in comfortably
Tall enough for popcorning pigs not to bash the top
Fox-proof mesh (NOT chicken wire) to keep them safe from predators
Thick walls to keep the rabbits safe and warm – some hutches also have thermal covers.
These are our recommended hutches, all pigs benefit from a run as well as the hutch!
6ft Chartwell Double Luxury Hutch - suitable for 2 or 3 sows, 2 boars or 1 boar with 2 sows with an attached run. Minimum area should be 7.5ft squared this hutch provides more!
Bluebell Hutch from Pets at Home - Suitable for a maximum of 2 sows, can be used for 2 boars with a permanently attached run. Minimum area should be 7.5ft squared, this hutch just about meets the requirement.
The Sycamore Lodge single hutch with double run from Pets at Home - Suitable for a maximum of 3 sows, 2 boars, 1 boar with 2 sows. Minimum area should be 10.5ft squared.
The Kendal 6ft hutch and run combo - Suitable for a maximum of 3 sows, 2 boars, 1 boar with 2 sows. 4ft run extension can be purchased for this model. Minimum area should be 7.5ft squared.
The Coach House 6ft hutch - Suitable for a maximum of 4 sows, 3 boars or 1 boar with 3 sows. Minimum area should be 13ft squared.
That's it for shop bought hutches. If you are wanting a hutch for a larger group of pigs you'll need to look at custom made hutches. We make custom sized hutches here so please do contact us with any requests.
Large groups of pigs, if not in custom built hutches, require much more space. Look at sheds to provide their housing.
The below sets out the minimum square foot required for groups of pigs. Remember you don't have to fill the space! The more space the better, this is the minimum required! Please note odd numbers of boars doesn't always work out! Above pairs the rate of fallout is much higher. Only ever put 1 neutered boar per group of sows. Always go above the minimum where possible, especially for boar groups.
- 13ft squared - 4 sows, 3 boars, 1 boar with 3 sows or less
- 16ft squares - 5 sows, 4 boars, 1 boar with 4 sows or less
- 19ft squared - 6 sows, 5 boars, 1 boar with 5 sows or less
- 22ft squared - 7 sows, 6 boars, 1 boar with 6 sows or less.
Indoor housing
Indoor set ups are becoming a popular form of accommodation. However, don’t be fooled by the adverts in pet shops as the majority of their cages will not be suitable for a pair of piggies! The minimum requirements for a cage are the same as that of a hutch! These can be hard to find! It is important for the cage to have the following:
A separate “bedroom” area (for warmth, shelter, privacy and as an escape)
Enough space for a pair of pigs to get away from each other
A “bedroom” area big enough for both pigs to fit in comfortably
Tall enough for popcorning pigs not to bash the top or topless
Lots of ventilation
These are our recommended cages for indoor use, all pigs benefit from a run, play pen or floor time as well as the cage!
The Ferplast 140 - Suitable for 2 sows - but not full time, pigs must be able to access a run, play pen or free roam if using this as their cage.
https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/rabbit-140-guinea-pig-and-rabbit-cage-%28online-only%29
The Ferplast Plazza 160 (with extension)- Suitable for 3 sows, 2 boars, 1 boar with 2 sows.
https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/rabbit_cage/140_cm_cages
C&C set ups are vastly popular for indoor housing. They can be made into any shape to fit in any space. You can have upper levels, raise them off the floor and create lids. They are extremely versatile as you can always add more grids to expand the space. They are available on amazon or https://candcguineapigcages.co.uk. As with all set ups you can give you pigs a bigger space, this is the minimum size required for the numbers of pigs.
C&C sizes for numbers of pigs
- 2x3 grids - 2 sows
- 2x4 grids or 3x3 grids - 3 sows, 2 boars or 1 boar with 2 sows.
- 2x5 grids - 4 sows, 3 boars or 1 boar with 3 sows.
- 2x6 grids or 3x4 grids - 5 sows, 4 boars or 1 boar with 3 sows
- 2x7 grids or 3x5 grids - 6 sows, 5 boars or 1 boar with 6 sows
- 2x8 grids or 4x4x grids - 7 sows, 6 boars or 1 boar with 6 sows.
If you need any help choosing the right set up for your family please do contact us, we will be happy to help you.
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