Are we suitable for Guinea Pigs?

Question
I am thinking of buying/adopting two guinea pigs. This would be our first pets, however we have always been around animals. I would prefer not to have them in a small cage but unfortunately I do not think we have a large enough area inside the house for them. Ideally I would like to set them up a lovely large enclosure outside with a wooden hutch with a safe weather proof sleeping area with a connected wire run, giving them plenty of space to play. The children and I would spend lots of time outside with them so they would get plenty of love. I have done days of research and it seems there are different views on whether to put them outside. I would like to get as many opinions as possible. I only want to get Guinea pigs if we can do our best for them. We would have the space for them to come indoors for short periods of time if the weather became extreme but as I mentioned we don't have enough space for a fair sized home inside

Answer
Emily,

Two Guinea Pigs only need a cage that is a 10.5 square feet (or a 2x4 grid cage) most panels (or cubes or grids) are 14 inches square. You can make your own out of cubes and Coroplasts easily and inexpensively, the benefits of this is also that you can make a two story cage. Just make sure the ramps have sides, lining on the bottom to grab on to, and is gradual incline. If you still feel that you don't have enough room inside after learning this, then there are a few things to go over for having them outside.

I don't recommend Guinea Pig owners to have their Guinea Pigs live outside if they live some place known for dramatic changes in weather and if the weather comes to an extreme heat or cold more often then nice weather. Now with that being said and out of the way. Here is what you need to know about keeping Guinea Pigs outside. Their wire run will need a wire top to keep hawks, foxes, and cats away from them. This is a must, the whole enclosure must be kept secure and fox and hawk proof as Guinea Pigs would make a nice meal for them. The hutch for sleeping needs to be lined with old towels or hay to be changed out every other day for sanitary reasons also to keep them warm and snug. Make sure there is no wired bottoming to any part of their enclosure as Guinea Pigs are prone to feet sores, Bumble foot and other feet problems when kept in a cage with wire bottoming. Unlike rabbits, Guinea Pigs feet are very sensitive and don't have the hard callouses that rabbits have. When keeping Guinea Pigs outside you have to be very aware of the temperature outside as Guinea Pigs can very easily get to cold or heat stroke can happen. They are very prone to this so you need to monitor the temperatures. Guinea Pigs are comfortable at temperatures of 15c - 22.5c (59f - 72f) one or two under or over that won't make much of  a difference to them. Anything 10c (50f) and under is to cold for a Guinea Pig and anything above 24c (75f) is far to hot for a Guinea Pig. So when the temperature get to those points you'll need to bring them in as these are the extreme. Also half or more of the enclosure should be in the shade and half or less in the sun. That way they have shade to keep cool but also have the benefits of sunshine.

That is about it, now the choice is up to you as to where you are going to keep them. Guinea Pigs make great pets and can be kept outside if need be.

I hope this helps,
     Take care now,
               Jules