Flattening Hay!

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Beckybex

Beckybex

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Hay guys. I'm new on here and a new guinea pig mum to 2 gorgeous girls (twinkle and star after my sons fave song lol) anyway was just wondering they keep flattening there hay and I'm worried they will get cold as they live outside Indo put loads in should I be putting more in or as they are flattening it does it mean there warm enough?
 
Hello! Welcome to the forum. Lovely names for your piggies, yes put lots of hay in, they will flatten it when they lie in it unfortunately but fluff it up and keep putting fresh in.

Is the hutch insulated? You will need to make sure it is for the winter.
 
I have the hutch coverd. Thinking of popping them in our garage do the winter. Just worry as they keep flattening it would anyone suggest putting anything else in there? I did see a self heating mat x
 
you can use snugglesafe heat pads,with covers ,put them in microwave for 6 mins.keeps warm for ten hours,put cardboard boxes in.line with newspaper,or and vet bed,put heatpad with cover on.place lots of hay on top and that i find keeps them very warm,usually do this prior to myself going to bed.i do not personally use the heatpads unless temp is below 2 degrees c, so used more in wintertime,and i check the weather forcast daily to assist with temperature daily variations.:nod:
 
Oww they play in cardboard boxes so I know they will use them lol do I do 1 each or 1 betweenbthem? I'm sorry for all the questions x
 
Can i also ask would putting a fleece blanket in the bed/box as well as hay help or not x
 
Beckybex said:
Oww they play in cardboard boxes so I know they will use them lol do I do 1 each or 1 betweenbthem? I'm sorry for all the questions x
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I'd give them one each just in case they want their own space. I use cardboard boxes lined with towels on bottom, a layer of fleece then pack it full with hay- nice and cosy :)
 
Thank you so much I'm going to that. To be honest I'm really worrying about them in the winter now. I'm reading up on all the different things to do and try and confusing myself lol. Thinking do i change the shavings for fleece blankets? I just don't have the space for them to come inside :td::(
 
Beckybex said:
Thank you so much I'm going to that. To be honest I'm really worrying about them in the winter now. I'm reading up on all the different things to do and try and confusing myself lol. Thinking do i change the shavings for fleece blankets? I just don't have the space for them to come inside :td::(
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If you aren't able to bring them inside then just try and insulate the hutch as much as possible, away from winds too if that's possible.

Hay is a very good insulator, pack the hutch full of hay, you can never have too much! Especially in their cardboard boxes, which is also a good insulator so that should help. :)

Fleece would keep them nice and cosy, just be careful of it getting wet.

Do you have something for the hutch itself? A warm, waterproof cover?

If they are going to be outside all winter just be mindful of bringing them inside for cuddles etc then putting them back out, they won't be able to cope with the drastic changes in temperature.

And like others have said, snugglesafe heat pads are great.. my two are inside but they still love lying on their heat pad :D
 
I could make space in the garage (the car doesn't go in there) but my concern being is there is no window in there. If I was to put the hutch so it's facing the door and leave the garage Dior open in the day would that be OK? I would have to close it at bed time as there is expect tools in there?
 
I'm honestly not too sure about that if there's no window. I feel like it would be okay as long as they got enough light and air circulation during the day..
 
It's better than outside, but I'd worry if they never had any light, in it not possible to bring them inside. They love the bustle of a busy house.
 
I'm trying to work out a way that my girls can come in. If I was to get them a 'inside' cadge would that work? I know there smaller than there hutch outside but as I will be in and they will be in I could let them in a run more would that be OK?
 
As long as they had access to more space to run around during the day I think that would be much better :)
 
I'm a stay at home mumand the hubby works nights so while hubby is in bed and little one at school it's me and the girls so there would be no reason why they couldn't be out all day x
 
That's good then.:nod: If you bring them in for the winter you'd need to keep them in until around spring time when it's not too cold so they can re-adjust to being back outside
 
You could maybe hold off a little longer, although it is starting to get quite cold at night now. Plus it means you won't need to be out in the cold to change them :P
 
That's OK gives me chance to find a good enough cadge :-) Just need to to tell the hubby the plan lol not ask lol x
 
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