any guinea pig money saving tips?

amy104

Hugs for you, I don't really know what else to say, make sure you put chicken wire or something over the pen if you get anymore, you wouldn't want that to happen again. Poor wee souls.

Chicken wire isn't predator proof. You need to use weld mesh instead. The lower the gauge the stronger the mesh. I think the recommended is 16 or lower for protecting against foxes.

Both my boys had the snip, all went fine, it cost me £140 for the two. They were quiet for an hour or so at home and then back to their usual selves, I was really pleased, although it was a last resort to solve their fighting. In the end this didn't work, so I had to give my youngest up

Unfortunately neutering has little or no behavioural effect in piggies.

pug_in_a_bed

amy104 wrote: »

Chicken wire isn't predator proof. You need to use weld mesh instead. The lower the gauge the stronger the mesh. I think the recommended is 16 or lower for protecting against foxes.



Unfortunately neutering has little or no behavioural effect in piggies.

no it didn't, was a last ditch desperate act, still - worked out well as have girls now and no babies thankfully!

pug_in_a_bed

In relation to the sad story above, read this article in the guardian t'other day, and really, really angered me.

This dog killed our guinea pigs!

louisdog

I saw that too, really annoyed me as well. Apparently it's highly amusing and unavoidable for your pet dog to kill your GPs :mad:

Edit: actually I think they (or maybe it was the Times/Telegraph, can't remember) also had a similar article in the last couple of weeks about chickens getting taken by foxes - again "just one of those things" was the tone. (The author had forgotten to put them away.)

Dilfred

I have decided to build a cage for Smokey to live in the garden during the summer. There is mention that if I do such a thing, I need to wire mesh the floor to stop digging out. How realistic is this, and can it be just chicken wire, or do I need to use plastic coated larger diameter wire?
Also, does anyone have some decent plans to share, i've seen a few, but nothing ideal.
Looking for around 2ft by 3-4ft including a covered box area for shade/sleeping.

louisdog

I bought some really strong green coated wire grid panels from the garden centre for the bottom of my run, the squares are 2" square and the metal is so thick you cannot bend it by hand.

They were about a fiver each for the panels, I needed two for my run which is about 6 feet long.

Edit: think this is what I used, would be nice and strong for the run sides too http://www.theonlinegardener.com/product.asp?prod=1014074&np=c

I think the panels are 2 feet by 3 feet. I stapled and cable-tied them on. If a fox or anything digs under or somehow the run gets upturned, the GPs should be safe.


I think they were made by Gardman but not totally sure.

pug_in_a_bed

Mine have never dug out or even made an attempt at digging, but then they are lazy sun worshippers, so its more the dog or fox types digging under I'd be wary of.

pug_in_a_bed

Found a good pig site today

Aputsiaq

carrie483 wrote: »

The vibrating noise is a happy noise.

As for the maggoty things, go to your local pet shop and see what they advise.

Also, if you have found a guinea pig at a second hand store then i would report the shop owner as that could be classed as animal cruelty.

Vibrating is not always a happy noise. It is also used as a warning.

Aputsiaq

TheWaltons wrote: »

Personally, I think they stink and there is no way I would have them indoors. AND.. you may get used to the nasty smell... so wont smell it in the end... but visitors will and they'll go away thinking you're minging :rotfl:

You do know that the pigs themselves do not smell but their urine will if left in a cage without it being cleaned??
Who wouldnt clean out their pigs?