ITEMS USED TO CREATE MY GUINEA PIG HOUSING
Wooden Hutch - purchase from pet shop or ebay
First requirement is a wooden hutch. The length of mine is 120cm (approx 48") long. It has wire mesh on the base which prevents animals from being able to dig under the hutch to get at your guinea pigs. However guinea pigs are not known to dig their way out. Wire mesh can cause problems for your guinea pigs feet so as to prevent this I cover mine with newspaper and hay. My guinea pigs love to sleep in this area in mild weather.
Pet Pen - Also known as Playpen or Run - purchase from pet shop or ebay
The pen is placed around the wooden hutch. I use a velcro tie to secure hutch door open during the day to allow guinea pigs to access both areas. It is 8 panels x 60cm - 24". This also helps when cleaning the wooden hutch, there are no escapes!
Food and water bowls - purchase heavy bowls that can't be tipped over from pet shop
I have one bowl for guinea pig mix and two water bowls ( one inside wooden hutch area and one in playpen area).
Some guinea pigs prefer the drip water bottles, it depends what they are use to using when you purchase them.
Some guinea pigs prefer the drip water bottles, it depends what they are use to using when you purchase them.
Toys - igloo from pet shop. Plumbing pipe can be picked up from rubbish at a buiding site ( get builders permission to remove it) or a hardware store. Other toys are hard baby rattles and a hard plastic ball that can't be chewed, can be picked up cheap at op shop.
My guinea pigs love to be in the igloo and love running through the pipe.
Extra winter warmth - waterproof picnic rug purchase from ebay or camping store
Place picnic rug, waterproof side up over wooden hutch on top of the small tarp. Use when temperature goes below 10'c - 50'F