Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs

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Insulation

Hi, please can someone advise on what type of insulation I need to fix on the outside of my outdoor hutch. I went into a large B&Q and the most appropriate I can find is this http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.j...3&fh_refpath=facet_159016185&ts=1284292119296

sorry it looks a long link hope it works?

It is a thermal foil very large 7.5m x 600mm and costs approx £17

Someone mentioned they picked up a roll for £5, I couldn't find anything for that price and description. Is it the same stuff?

I could probably make use of this large roll as have 2 hutches, but not sure if it is the best type of insulation as it seems quite thin.
 
Claire W said:
The front of the hutch should be uncovered so that will allow air flow. When I put the fleece blanket on the front of my hutch, I always leave a small gap underneath. However, I was once told that guinea pigs only have small lungs so will be fine overnight :)
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I've often wondered about that - I've seen lots of photos (generally speaking), where people have completely covered their hutches with materials which won't allow any air through at all (roofing felt etc) and I've wondered if the pigs would be ok inside with no fresh air for a night. The winter nights are very long as well, so I imagine that some pigs might be covered over from as early as late afternoon until the next morning.

Is that really ok?

When I cover my indoor cages with a fleece blanket at night (during cooler weather) I always make sure I leave a gap for good airflow.
 
My piggies are inside a shed during fall and winter and early spring. They are inside wood hutches, with one side completely enclosed. Last year my husband rigged up heating inside one hutch. It is a ceramic heat lamp, does not emit light. It is connected to a thermostat and programmed to keep the enclosed side of the hutch to 15 degrees celcius.

This year I haven't decided if I will use a heater for the entire shed or just have husband make another heat emitter for the other piggies hutch. I worry about fires always. I cannot have any hay in the hutch with these heat emitters. I use hay holders outside their hutches. But they love having loose hay to play in which is why I'm thinking having a heater in the shed might be more suitable.

The downside of the heater is that it costs more for electricity than the heat emitter. But if I have 2 heat emitters going it might just add up to the same in the long run.

I also have 2 rabbits in the shed. One free ranges and one in a large cage as they fight. I think the rabbits would enjoy not freezing during winter. I live in Canada. The coldest it gets there is about -6 degrees celcius and that is really cold for here. I live in BC on the most western side, on Vancouver Island.

With the heater I have a high shelf that none of the pets can get to that it can be placed on. But... heat rises so how benefitable will this really be? Although it is a the same level as the hutches.... sorry I'm just confused and don't know what to do!

What is your opinion?

Thank you :)

Lynn
 
While my piggies are still out in the piggie shed where they free range ,I have started to put the two infra red incubator lights on at night . When I peep at them through the window they are all lying under the lamps all stretched out looking very cosy,they look so funny. I dont think that they are going into their beds,the lovely red glow from the lamps is too tempting!
They will be coming inside for the winter about the first week in October.
 
I was just wondering when people are intending to put their outdoor piggies into their sheds for the winter - it's getting pretty chilly out there now and I think my boys will be heading into their shed soon.
I'm dreading winter :(
 
Lisa_Ann said:
Hi, please can someone advise on what type of insulation I need to fix on the outside of my outdoor hutch. I went into a large B&Q and the most appropriate I can find is this http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.j...3&fh_refpath=facet_159016185&ts=1284292119296

sorry it looks a long link hope it works?

It is a thermal foil very large 7.5m x 600mm and costs approx £17

Someone mentioned they picked up a roll for £5, I couldn't find anything for that price and description. Is it the same stuff?

I could probably make use of this large roll as have 2 hutches, but not sure if it is the best type of insulation as it seems quite thin.
Click to expand...

That is the one I have brought. In my opinion, it is the safest option :) I may buy some more and double it up but it depends if a further layer will fit under my hutch cover. You could always use other things as well such as an old carpet / duvet but these can be quite thick and can get damp when outdoors.

The thermal foil from B&Q is exactly the same material that Scratch and Newton hutch snuggles are made from.
 
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missy said:
I've often wondered about that - I've seen lots of photos (generally speaking), where people have completely covered their hutches with materials which won't allow any air through at all (roofing felt etc) and I've wondered if the pigs would be ok inside with no fresh air for a night. The winter nights are very long as well, so I imagine that some pigs might be covered over from as early as late afternoon until the next morning.

Is that really ok?

When I cover my indoor cages with a fleece blanket at night (during cooler weather) I always make sure I leave a gap for good airflow.
Click to expand...

To be honest, I'm not sure so that is why I leave a gap. Last winter, I didn't put the fleece on until later on at night as I don't like the thought of them being in the dark apart from at bedtime :)
 
MellyWelly said:
I was just wondering when people are intending to put their outdoor piggies into their sheds for the winter?
Click to expand...

Mine are in there now and have been from the beginning of September but out in the run from 11-4pm if the weather is nice, like today. It was a bit premature to put them in there so soon but when I get up in the morning to go for a run I really felt the chill, so I took pity on them and made the shed up.
 
Claire W said:
That is the one I have brought. In my opinion, it is the safest option :) I may buy some more and double it up but it depends if a further layer will fit under my hutch cover. You could always use other things as well such as an old carpet / duvet but these can be quite thick and can get damp when outdoors.

The thermal foil from B&Q is exactly the same material that Scratch and Newton hutch snuggles are made from.
Click to expand...


Hi Claire, thanks for your reply. Can I ask how you fixed it to the hutch? Wondering if I should do something semi-permanent like hard as nails tape or use Velcro around it.

I'm going to use a blanket on top, as well as waterproof hutch hugger.
 
Lisa_Ann said:
Hi Claire, thanks for your reply. Can I ask how you fixed it to the hutch? Wondering if I should do something semi-permanent like hard as nails tape or use Velcro around it.

I'm going to use a blanket on top, as well as waterproof hutch hugger.
Click to expand...

I haven't put in on yet but will probably use velcro or tacks. I may put a layer on the inside of the roof as they can't reach up there to eat it but I'm not sure yet. Hubby said he is going to measure it all up next weekend :)

Do your pigs live outside as well then?
 
Well, funny as I don't have my piggies yet,picking up the 2 boys in 2 days time, can't wait! Yes they will be living outdoors year round. Before I got my heart set on getting them I asked advice from my local rescue centre and try said they can live outdoors year round with a good weatherproof hutch, a waterproof cover, plenty of hay and a snuggle etc.

Am going back to B&Q to look at insulation. Noticed your post on insulation will post what I found at B&Q and see if anyone can advise if it is the best stuff to use.
 
I keep my piggies indoors but put them out in their run every dry day we have. Obviously in the winter we aren't going to get that many dry days so will it matter that they won't go out for weeks on end? I always give them fresh hay but am worried that they won't get any grass to eat? What do other people do in the winter?
 
JSAGiles said:
I keep my piggies indoors but put them out in their run every dry day we have. Obviously in the winter we aren't going to get that many dry days so will it matter that they won't go out for weeks on end? I always give them fresh hay but am worried that they won't get any grass to eat? What do other people do in the winter?
Click to expand...

Hi - my piggies are indoor piggies at night, but go out in the hutch during the day. When it's dry they have use of the grass, whilst in the run, but when the weather changes and they cannot go outside on the grass, I sometimes just pick lots and lots of grass and dandelions (wash them, can't help it, lol) and they will have a plate of that in the house, whether in their home or on our kitchen or lounge floor. :)
 
Monkeynutz said:
Hi - my piggies are indoor piggies at night, but go out in the hutch during the day. When it's dry they have use of the grass, whilst in the run, but when the weather changes and they cannot go outside on the grass, I sometimes just pick lots and lots of grass and dandelions (wash them, can't help it, lol) and they will have a plate of that in the house, whether in their home or on our kitchen or lounge floor. :)
Click to expand...
Thank you - that sounds like what I will be doing then.
 
Claire W said:
I have 4 of these and wouldn't be without them during the winter. They are chew proof so shouldn't get ruined.

I would definitely recommend them especially for outdoor pigs :)
Click to expand...

aww thats great news... I may have to get a couple then... I was worried they would chew them.. Thankyou xoxo
 
Very useful post thank you but... I was a bit about hurt because you said this: In an ideal world all guinea pigs would be looked after in the comfort of an indoor home

My guinea pigs have lived comfortably in a snug hutch in the shed in my garden for almost 6 years and they are very happy guinea pigs. It would be unfair if they lived indoors because of the noise and the heat. So it is not always best for them to live inside. Just because some of us who have guinea pigs living outdoors doesn't mean we don't care about them! :(
 
Fudge and Rainbow :) said:
Very useful post thank you but... I was a bit about hurt because you said this: In an ideal world all guinea pigs would be looked after in the comfort of an indoor home

My guinea pigs have lived comfortably in a snug hutch in the shed in my garden for almost 6 years and they are very happy guinea pigs. It would be unfair if they lived indoors because of the noise and the heat. So it is not always best for them to live inside. Just because some of us who have guinea pigs living outdoors doesn't mean we don't care about them! :(
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I'm really sorry if that has offended you, it was never meant to offend anyone. I do believe that guinea pigs kept in the living room in the midst of famly life are having the best of times. However, indoors also includes a shed, outhouse etc. My guinea pigs are all in a shed, although not your average type I suppose. It has electricity, heating, lighting etc. My big concern is the guinea pigs at the bottom of the garden, or in the shed etc. living with a family who have a busy life and when the weather gets awful, it is too much trouble to go out there at 7 in the morning before work, and again on returning, and yet again later at night to re tuck them up. It makes me sad just typing this description, because I know so so many end up like that. I'm sure no forum pigs are suffering this fate though....it's probably the reverse, and more likely that they are so well covered, full of hay, sitting on heat pads that the danger is probably more one of suffocation rolleyes x

ps, with regard to noise, I think pigs get used very quickly to their enviromnment noises. I live on the flight path to Liverpool Airport. Have a big stupid barking dog, two greyhounds barking next door, and the man at the back with the noisiest motorbike in the world. (Actually maybe all my pigs are deaf!) xx
 
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guineaboys said:
Don't splash out, we used plumbers silver, padded insulation last year, worked a treat. Stapled it all over and put a Hutch hugger over the top;)
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Ok a stupid Q from me - if you staple on insulation, I take it you need to pull it all off when the weather gets warmer? I ask as I've stapled on lots of insulating stuff and then wondered!
 
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