Hello friends, let’s talk about free-range guinea pig shelters. Over the past few years, I have been keeping my guinea pigs outside and even letting some of them roam freely. I have tried various types of shelters including dog houses and rabbit cages. My favorites are the ones I make myself from cinder blocks and parts from other cages and crates.
Pro-Tip
Before we get started let me give you a tip of the trade. It would be wise to keep your females contained to help control your guinea pig population. Guinea pigs have a short gestation period that allows them to reproduce fast. Having your females in a habitat of their own will keep the males from wandering too far.
Types of Free-Range Guinea Pig Shelters
There are more types of shelters and housing available other than the ones I have used. A garden shed or greenhouse could easily be converted into suitable living quarters for your cavies. Rabbit hutches and chicken coops can be used as well. I will be using a chicken coop to keep my female herd warm this winter.
What to Keep in Mind
If you are new to keeping small animals outdoors there are some things you will want to consider. We will start with the weather, keeping unwanted water out is very important for the health of your animals. This will help prevent mold from growing in your structure during warm months. Animals have feathers and fur to help them tackle cold weather. Feathers and fur only help your pet if they are dry.
“Animals can be cold and animals can be wet, animals can not be cold and wet at the same time.”
Insulation
Naturally, you will want ventilation during the heat and insulation during the cold. It may not seem like it but insulation works both ways. It will keep your shelter cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Hay happens to be a great insulator. Stuffing a rabbit cage full of hay and allowing open access can help guinea pigs get through cold spells. Likewise, a two-inch layer of hay in a cage that is 6 inches off the ground is ideal for summer months.
Fortification
For free-range guinea pig shelters without a floor, provisions to prevent digging intruders may need to be taken. This can be in the form of burying a fence or laying bricks around the parameter. Driving small metal rods into the ground every few inches will work as well. However, you may want to reserve that method for low spots including those around your exterior fence.
Having food and water available for your guinea pigs and other animals may attract unwanted guests. Mice and snakes are a few I can think of off the top of my head. You can refer to my blog post about Guinea Pig Predators for more information on how to trick and trap these invaders. You can use your thumb to see if your shelter is rat and snake-proof. You will want to seal any gaps or holes that your thumb can fit through.
The Best Free-Range Guinea Pig Shelter
My favorite free-range guinea pig shelters are the ones I make myself from cinder blocks and parts from other cages and crates. Building shelters and habitats with cinder blocks can be quite a task. However, the cost and durability are unmatched. Using concrete blocks along with wire panels from old dog crates allows you to build elaborate housing for your guinea pigs. The only limit is your imagination with this technique.
Catching Guinea Pigs
From My experience guinea pigs are as easy to train as chickens and ducks. A little food and a good routine are all you need to round up your guinea pigs. Still, you may want to practice the art of guinea pig trapping. All you need to catch a guinea pig is a cage with a blanket over the top of it. Simply put some food in that cage and wait. Once your guinea pig is in the cage sneak up in a way they can’t see you coming and close the door. If your guinea pig recognizes your trap for what it is, start using it as their new feeding spot without trapping them. This will give them no choice but to go in there and desensitize them to it being a trap.
Conclusion
I hope this post has been helpful to you. As always you can follow the Guinea Pig Garden on Facebook and join the Guinea Pigs Outdoors Only Facebook group for further assistance. I am always happy to help my fellow guinea pig fam. Be sure to stay turned on YouTube to see the build! I have seen plenty of guinea pig houses. None of them were all that great and all of them were over-priced. Well, I finally found one I like, and it’s affordable. If you are in the Guinea Pigs Outdoors Only Group then you know what I’m talking about.
