Growing Fruit & Veg? Get Some Guinea Pigs

[@Rumade]

We use ours to mow the lawn too! My dad made a tractor with wheels for them. I wouldn't use an open top design like yours without adding chicken wire or at least cloth on top- a neighbour had their rabbit snatched by a fox from that kind.

[@AThornyPot]

That's good advice. We only keep ours out when we are in the garden too 👍

[@skullrose8985]

Hey there,I am so glad i have found this video.. I have got four piggies,they are inside piggies but in the good weather I get them out most days,but if it's to hot I keep them in,if it cools down in the evening I get them out for a bit. One of our piggies was (nearly) took by a fox. Well the fox grabbed bear,luckily my fella heard the birds making a right racket,so he went out,the fox jumped over the fence,my fella followed & for some reason the fox dropped bear,so my fella grabbed him & the fox was on its way. I can't blame the fox for doing what is natural..Bear was a little shocked,but he still munched away on his food when you put it in front of him. He had a little scratch,luckily the fox's teeth never pierced his skin. So we were very lucky. That happened at 7pm,that's quite early for them to be out,especially where I live.(England,birmingham).. So can i ask a question please,I know you have said,but I always find it better to make sure,can I use my guinea pig poop,wood shavings & hay to put in my compost that I am making??..there is alot of info out there & it can get confusing..I have just started growing veg this year & I am addicted lol,love it. Sorry for the long comment. I have subscribed i can't wait to see more,thankyou. Have a blessed week & Take care, xx

[@AThornyPot]

Aww I'm glad Bear is OK and I'm glad someone was around. Phew. It's always a good idea to check. I've used their bedding, poop and even the soiled newspaper in our composter for years. To be honest, I usually skip the compost bin and spread it all around my garden as a mulch. It keeps the soil from drying out from the sun and adds nutrients. I've been doing that today in fact as we'd collecting a ton of it. Thank you for the comment x

[@kristy974]

You're so lucky to have nice temperatures. Here in canada our winter and spring can be -1 to -20°c. And summer is way to hot like 20-30°c.

[@jhon2a7x]

This video has been exactly what I been looking for i had the same idea to implement

[@KimberlyKinsland]

wonderful video, been looking into guinea pigs for the garden and little lawn pets, this is perfect!

[@nitanice]

It must be a heck of a lot warmer in the UK than the northeastern US. It was 15 below (-26C) and those outdoor guinea pigs would be popsicles here.

[@AThornyPot]

Ooo that's chilly 🥶. We live in Kent, in the south, and it rarely drops below freezing for long

[@junovhs4646]

You and I would get along great haha I do the same thing! If you switch the pigs to fleece liners you won’t need to buy hay anymore. you get pure poops too! Then all you have to do is periodically hose the liners down on the grass, and finish washing them in a bucket once a month.

[@AThornyPot]

YOU CAN GET ONES WITH BURROWING POCKETS!! My heart can't cope with that 😂 thank you for the info, it is annoying having to find lots of newspaper and it would save money 👍

[@jhon2a7x]

Hope to see more free range guinea pig videos

[@AThornyPot]

I'm more than happy to do more Guinea pig videos 👍❤️ thank you for the comment

[@nicehandsfeet11]

Just a heads up guinea pigs and rabbits need a constant supply of hay because their digestive system needs to constantly work or they can get sick.

[@jinde75]

I am considering rabits or guinea pigs but I think the latter may be a bit easier. I never heard of outside guinea pigs and I think inside would be better. At the moment it's freezing outside and everything is covered in snow. Also the kids would play with them more when they are inside. I love the side cage for the garden bed!

[@AThornyPot]

I've had both indoor and outdoor guinea pigs and they were happy in both locations....though we rarely get too much frost here. We don't keep them inside at the moment as we have a cat and I worry that she'd pester them all day. There are lots of things you can do to insulate their cage for the colder months (e.g attach insulation boards, carpet or a low power heater under the cage etc). The main thing is to keep the wind and rain out, which we've done with a cover and keeping the cage in a sheltered spot. They come indoors for floor time too :) Thank you for the comment

[@jhon2a7x]

I live in Florida and doesn't really get cold in here , besides the cavy comes from the andes and they are pretty furry I think as long they have a well made hutch and enought cavy they can do pretty well on non snowy temperature

[@pyenygren2299]

Buying just soil to raised beds is expensive. Hay and poo are good filling materials. With the guinea pigs waist in raised beds, it is easier to fill the top with soil for less money.

[@AThornyPot]

That's really good advice! I bulk up raised beds with newspaper and general garden cuttings too. You can use anything 'green' really

[@pyenygren2299]

@@AThornyPot Yes, I apreciate that many organic materials can be used.

[@luzvigerminal558]

Hi, they can be put in my garden without composting.

[@AThornyPot]

That's right, I sprinkle it all over the garden as a mulch and top feed

[@luzvigerminal558]

@@AThornyPot thank you. My friend has given me of hay bedding from her Guinea pigs.