A Question For Outdoor Piggy Owners

Status
Not open for further replies.
Dani G

Dani G

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Nov 8, 2016
Messages
93
Reaction score
57
Points
190
Location
Devon
Hello all..

Do you feel sorry for your outdoor piggies in this cold frosty weather? In the summer they get to go out in their run during the day and I also bring them in for floor time and cuddles in the evenings but in the winter it's not so nice as they are in their hutch. I've done my best with insulation, snuggle pads etc.. and they seem to be coping fine but it's not so much fun for them. We are getting a boyles shed in the new year which will help but in the mean time I feel bad for them.

Is there anything I can do to enhance their quality of life in this cold and frosty weather? Am I right not to bring them in for floor time because of the temperature difference? Bringing them in for the winter sadly isn't an option.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Dani xx
 
I am sure they are fine, and it sounds like you are doing everything you can to keep them warm and comfortable.
What I would suggest it trying to keep them entertained by adding small toys and different things to do to their cage.

When we are busy and ours don't come out for floor time for a couple of days then I add more 'bits' to their cage to give them new things to explore.
Boxes with holes cut in them, toilet rolls stuffed with hay, paper bags, I scatter pea flakes in their hay trays, I always spread their fresh around so they have to move to find it and DD has become obsessed with making food chains for them (she treads pieces of chopped veg onto string and ties this up in their cage).

I am not sure what the temperatures are like where you are, but if it is much colder outside than in then I personally wouldn't bring them in for floor time and then put them back out, unless you have somewhere like an unheated conservatory.
 
Mine are now in a double hutch in a shed, so I've been able to attach a run to the front of their hutch for daytime use.

In previous years they've had to make do with staying in their hutch for the coldest bits of winter. I kept them entertained by hiding their veggies in boxes of hay and making sure I re-arranged their boxes/tunnels etc every time I went out to them so that their hutch was always different. Ok, so they spend their time moving things back to where they wanted them; I'm sure they swore at me on a regular basis... "doesn't our human know anything? We don't want to have that tunnel placed there!"

Another activity that kept them busy was hiding herbs/carrot in loads of hay inside hay inside empty toilet roll tubes. They spent quite a while working out how to get the goodies.
 
Yes I do feel sorry for my piggies in the shed during the winter time. You shouldn't bring them in for floor time during the winter due to the temperature differences unless you have a really cold room like said above. I just make sure they have extra enrichment and give them their favourite veggies and treats to spoil them a bit.
I always just make sure they have extra hay and put their snuggle safes in for them. They always seem to cope quite well in the winter and just become more cuddly with each other.
 
I don't feel that sorry for mine. I feel more sorry for them in the height of summer as they struggle more with the hotter temperatures. I have snuggle safes, tons of hay, plenty of space for running around, and a very well insulated hutch
 
I defiantly don't feel sorry for mine in their mansion. Mine don't have a hutch, they have a HOUSE. They've got tunnels, little hiding houses, hammocks, an outdoor run that in summer has strawberry plants and their own little garden with piggy safe plants. and at night a heat lamp turns on. It's custom built, all from hand. If you'd like to see I'd be happy to post a picture :)
 
WafflesCupcakes said:
I defiantly don't feel sorry for mine in their mansion. Mine don't have a hutch, they have a HOUSE. They've got tunnels, little hiding houses, hammocks, an outdoor run that in summer has strawberry plants and their own little garden with piggy safe plants. and at night a heat lamp turns on. It's custom built, all from hand. If you'd like to see I'd be happy to post a picture :)
Click to expand...

Sounds amazing! I'd love to see some pictures. We are getting a Boyles shed in January and have a kennel with run that we are going to get attached so I'm very interested to see what you've got so I can steal your ideas xx
 
IMG_0511.webp
I'm sorry it looks so dreary! In summer it looks beautiful with flowers spilling out from the fence but in winter it's just a sad little sight XD It looks like an inferno when the heat lamp is on at night. I'll post the inside later.
 
Wow it looks amazing! Looking forward to seeing the inside. Can you tell me a bit more about the piggy friendly plants you have for them as well please? Xx
 
Sure thing! I've actually only had the whole thing for about half a year, this is the first winter with it. But strawberry plants are a favorite. Pigs can also eat lavender safely, so I'm planning to get some for the pen in the spring. There's a great list of pig safe plants, herbs and fruit, just type in guinea pig safe plants and it's the first result.
 
Wow, that looks amazing, you have very lucky piggies! Have you any other tips for me with our new piggy accommodation? Xx
 
I recommend a fenced in area outside, maybe connected to the hutch, because it's so fun to watch them run and popcorn! You can buy them online, like a baby play gate and just put it around the hutch. Mine is just a really high fence because I have cats that love to play outside... and are great hunters.
 
It sounds like you have an amazing set up, I hope ours turns out as well. We have cats too, so have to be very careful. Thank you for sharing, it's been lovely to see your piggies place xx
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top