Feeding the guinea pigs at TEAS

Hannah_xx said:
Hello!
What is the coldest outside temperature you put the pigs out @furryfriends (TEAS) . It’s coming into winter here in Australia so I’m finding it difficult to get the pigs outside much but I wonder if I’m sometimes over worried?
Also is it okay to hand pick wet (rained on) grass for the pigs?
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I always put them out, while I clean out cages, unless it is raining. They are only out, when it is cold, for around 20 to 30 minutes, but they clearly love it and are busy and continually eating the grass. I pop a pet carrier into the run, so they can go inside, if they want to, but I usually find they don't. I don't put them out if it is frosty, but other than that, they have a quick run around for a while. I pick wet grass (it's only rain), when they need to stay inside and they love it!
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
I always put them out, while I clean out cages, unless it is raining. They are only out, when it is cold, for around 20 to 30 minutes, but they clearly love it and are busy and continually eating the grass. I pop a pet carrier into the run, so they can go inside, if they want to, but I usually find they don't. I don't put them out if it is frosty, but other than that, they have a quick run around for a while. I pick wet grass (it's only rain), when they need to stay inside and they love it!
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Thank you! For some reason I feel like someone told me I shouldn’t pick them wet grass. No idea where I got that from. I always felt bad on the rainy days when I couldn’t pick them grass, so I’m glad to know I can!
 
@Hannah_xx I have seen somewhere on the forum you shouldn't feed wet grass as it can upset delicate tums. I don't worry too much about it as mine have had grass for years with no problem and it was a bit late when I read that! I feel these things are down to a bit of common sense and if your piggies aren't used to something introduce it gradually. If we are havng a spell of very wet weather I pick some grass between the rain and spread it on newspaper where it will dry off ready for later, more to save me getting soaked than to have dry grass though!
 
At the moment I am picking lots of grass and forage every day from a local field(totally chemical free) instead of buying veg for my piggies.They love their new diet and were used to grass anyway so it wasnt a shock to their digestion.To be honest,I pick whether its wet or dry and havent thought to dry it before feeding-something I would have difficulty doing as its 3 tesco carrier bags full each day.They have been absolutely fine-no tummy issues at all and are doing really well on it.(They have the odd bit of pepper/celery/cucumber etc but no greens from the shops.)
 
We go out most days to forage as part of our exercise routine, the grass it really lush after last nights rain. I take a large plastic bag and a small pair of scissors to cut through some of the really stiff grass, we get quite a mixture of stuff on our 2 mile walk. They go completely mad for forage, it’s so much nicer to hand feed them with too.
 
rhymer said:
Nice to know other people do this too. I thought I was the only mad piggy owner.
I have often got some strange looks from people when you out with a bag picking grass or cutting it with some scissors.xx
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I once had a neighbour ask if I’d like to borrow their lawn mower, after seeing me armed with scissors! 🤣
 
I was cutting grass in my front lawn this morning with scissors and a passerby asked what I was doing. I replied that I am so bored with lockdown that I deciced to see how long it would take to cut the grass with a pair of scissors. They gave me a funny look and moved on. Can't imagine why! 🤣
 
Betsy said:
I was cutting grass in my front lawn this morning with scissors and a passerby asked what I was doing. I replied that I am so bored with lockdown that I deciced to see how long it would take to cut the grass with a pair of scissors. They gave me a funny look and moved on. Can't imagine why! 🤣
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I’m often asked what‘s in the bag! I think sometimes they look for the missing dog and think I’m walking around with a poo bag too!
 
Hannah_xx said:
Thank you! For some reason I feel like someone told me I shouldn’t pick them wet grass. No idea where I got that from. I always felt bad on the rainy days when I couldn’t pick them grass, so I’m glad to know I can!
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Yes I read that too, but that was after I had been giving wet grass for some time. I don't worry about it being wet now, it doesn't seem to hurt them at all, the main thing is they are getting grass which i think is really good for them
 
Last year when I was cutting grass with the kitchen scissors my neighbour asked if I'd like to borrow his lawn mower. When I explained what I was doing he let me go and cut round the edges of his lawn which was much longer grass than mine. He helps keep us supplied in winter now. He loves to hear the piggies chatting when they are in the garden it reminds him of his childhood piggies.
When I lived in Cornwall I was often asked what I was doing when I went foraging. People got to know my days off work when I was out hunting, there would be bundles of dandelions left on top of garden walls, or people waiting to ask me into their garden to see what they had. I got to know so many lovely people always ready for a chat.
 
Shelley anne said:
Yes I read that too, but that was after I had been giving wet grass for some time. I don't worry about it being wet now, it doesn't seem to hurt them at all, the main thing is they are getting grass which i think is really good for them
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In a way the wet on the grass is just rain or dew which does not contain any calcium/nitrates so should be better for them
 
I'm really looking into stopping feeding nuggets. I've spoke to my vet about this, and he was agreeing with me that they don't need them. He said if weight loss is a concern then to feed plain oats instead. I need to look into this more, I have found a link that's is very interesting, but I'm also be very cautious what to believe.

I do need to get the veg selection correct though to stop loss of important vitamins

Don't go into this link and be lead to believe everything. But it's interesting

Why pellets, nuggets & museli are not part of a healthy diet — Bunny Meadow
 
What I've been thinking lately is, what's hay fed for? Because it's a substitute for grass right?

So what are pellets or nuggets fed for?

Why can't these vitamins come in fresh form from veg instead of packed into a little un natural biscuit. And half the reason We feed more veg is because we can't all access grass. The natural diet

Please tear me apart if I'm just going mental or got too much time on my hands thinking up rubbish. But I like looking into things👍

Nothing I say has any backup or proof. I'm not qualified in animal nutrition. Thanks 👍
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
I always put them out, while I clean out cages, unless it is raining. They are only out, when it is cold, for around 20 to 30 minutes, but they clearly love it and are busy and continually eating the grass. I pop a pet carrier into the run, so they can go inside, if they want to, but I usually find they don't. I don't put them out if it is frosty, but other than that, they have a quick run around for a while. I pick wet grass (it's only rain), when they need to stay inside and they love it!
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I love that you do this! I put mine out yesterday after the rain stopped. Grass wasn't long, but was wet. They seemed fine, and they are so much more alert and perky when they are out in the fresh air. It's like all their senses are completely switched on.
 
Piggylove82 said:
I love that you do this! I put mine out yesterday after the rain stopped. Grass wasn't long, but was wet. They seemed fine, and they are so much more alert and perky when they are out in the fresh air. It's like all their senses are completely switched on.
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I didn't think you could put piggies on wet grass. Was I wrong to think this?🤔
 
I believe it's not good for them can cause URI, UTI especially if they are in door piggies and they get cold as well as damp. Would depend on how wet and how cold but I wouldn't risk it. Mine go out late and early in the seasons with a box stuffed with hay to snuggle in and only for a short time if the ground is dry.
 
Betsy said:
I didn't think you could put piggies on wet grass. Was I wrong to think this?🤔
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I think it depends how low their bellies are! 😂 😂

Just joking x. The grass had been cut only a day or two before, the pigs weren't wet when I fetched them in.

@piggieminder Mine are not indoor pigs. I always take the temperature difference into account, between their outdoor hutch and the outdoors, before I put them out. They have fleece snuggles on the grass too.
 
I don't put them out for long, if it's not so warm, but they love it! If they were all huddled together, looking cold and sad, I wouldn't leave them out but they are always very busy, eating the grass and often popcorn around. I've never had a piggy with a UTI and I can't remember the last time anyone had a URI. I always put a pet carrier in the run, so they can go into there, if they aren't enjoying it, but I usually end up having to chase them around, as they don't want to go back inside.
 
Mine are now garage piggies the garage has no heating but it is always warmer in there by about 5 degrees when it is cold outside. I have more moss in my lawn than grass atm and it will remain like that until lockdown is over and we can get some lawn treatment for it. It'll probably be a while until they are out on the lawn. I pick grass for them everyday now and when the whether is nice I have one pair out in the garage in the run and the other pair out in the run on the patio on an old duvet.
 
@Betsy Moss is such a pain! We have it on just one half of our lawn. No idea why 🤷‍♀️, but sometimes that side has the nicest grass too! Although times when I've picked grass for mine, and the odd single piece of moss was in with it, mine will eat the grass and leave the moss! Clever piggies 😏
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
Aka a shed 👍✌
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Hey, a shed? 😯. Well OK, as long as there's somewhere soft to sit and a kettle to make a cuppa 👍🏻.

We have a shed but it's a man shed. He lets me use a small amount of it for hay/shavings storage but complains to high heaven should i make any mess. He actually mops the shed floor (he put vinyl down).

Don't think I'm joking either
 
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