Can I use an underbed storage tote to house my guinea pigs?

[shelleyd2008]

Yes, I did say 'pigs'. We are now the proud owners of 2 guinea pigs!! I sold everything that went to auction with me tonight, so I was able to finally buy another guinea pig for my son. I made the mistake of telling him that they like to be together, so we really should have 2, so I have been getting begged for another one for a while now! I even talked him out of some silkie eggs, saying that he would be able to buy another piggie if he sold some of his eggs. (the silkies are all 'his'). I believe the eggs sold for $6, the guinea pig was $8, so that's close enough!

Anyway, right now they are in a plastic tote on the porch. My dad won't let us keep them in the house. So I was thinking of getting one of those underbed storage totes, since I have read they don't jump, and they need to have room to run around? The tote I'm thinking of is about 2 1/2 feet by 3 feet, by about 6 or 8 inches tall. Would that be okay? We have a large dog crate that we put them in everyday, provided it's not raining, so they can eat grass to their heart's content, so the tote is only for nighttime and rainy days. I plan on cutting holes in the lid and covering these with wire to keep the puppies out.

So would this size tote be big enough for them?

 

[georgialee]

I used to have A LOT (like over 20) guinea pigs and some of mine jumped. It would be horrible if one of them jumped out overnight and got lost. Have you checked craigslist for hutches or cages?

 

[shelleyd2008]

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Well, I was planning on keeping the lid on the tote, with large sections removed and covered with cage wire or hardware cloth covering the holes, so I don't think it's really a matter of them jumping 'out'. It's mainly a thing of them hurting themselves bouncing off the top of the thing!

I have heard that the cages are way too small for them, that's why I was thinking of the tote. If I can find some of that other stuff (can't remember the name of it) that people make cages out of, then I'll do that. It's like shelving of some sort? Coated wire with 1" squares in it? I can't remember what it's called!

 

[bigkford]

I have had my far share of little pigs andalways kept them in a 20 gallon long aquairum. It worked out good can't chew through and can' jump that high kids played with them alot for excercsie.

 

[buckeye chickens]

Guinea pigs need to be in the house. If you can’t keep inside they need to be rehomed. They over heat and can’t take the cold well.
They need 7.5 sq feet of cage space. Bins and aquairums are not good, to small and don'nt let any air in.

Great web site for Guinea pigs and how to make a homemade cage. http://www.guineapigcages.com

 

[username taken]

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We always kept our guinea pigs outside when we were kids.

The oldest girl lived to be about 14 yrs, she had four litters in her younger years. The others lived to be between 7 and 12 yrs old.

 

[shelleyd2008]

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We always kept our guinea pigs outside when we were kids.

The oldest girl lived to be about 14 yrs, she had four litters in her younger years. The others lived to be between 7 and 12 yrs old.

Thanks, I was told they would be fine to be kept outside, and the tote is only for nighttime and rainy days, so the heat is not a problem. In the colder months, the guinea pig lived with the big chicks in their brooder, so no problem with being too cold.

 

[LoveMySiouxsie87]

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This is what I have for my 2 pigs, it does take some work though.

 

[shelleyd2008]

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This is what I have for my 2 pigs, it does take some work though.

That's what I was thinking of that I couldn't remember the name of! If I can find some, I'll for sure make one.

But if I can't find it, would the underbed tote be all right for them, until I can find the stuff to make the cage?

 

[LoveMySiouxsie87]

they're not gonna die or anything being in the storage tote, just try to have it as well ventilated as possible. I think people kind of overreact about pig care recently, though I agree they need as much room as they're sayin. I say yes on the tote, just ventilate ventilate!