Garage Lighting During Winter?

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MycuteBoys

MycuteBoys

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Hi, I'm putting my piggies and their hutch plus run in the garage in the few weeks (no car) can anyone offer support with my lighting issue please, Ive covered every issue apart from this one :(
Basically my husband is very and I mean very funny about having lights on unless you need to have them on eg for going up and down stairs.
He does not want the light on in there on at all, unless were in there. (We have an energy saving light bulb in the garage but he says he doesn't care the light is not being on constantly) so I'm thinking clipping a bright LED fish tank light to their hutch/run because their safe to be on for a long time,low watt and are very bright, is this a good idea?
Can anyone share any other ways of getting around my lighting problem please.
Many thanks Kell.
 

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I don't think that's a bad idea. The only thing I worry about in a garage is natural light, could they get a vitamin deficiency if they have no access to natural light? Does the garage have a window? If so then I wouldn't worry and use the LED light or even battery operated press on ones that you can stick anywhere. xx
 
My boys stay in our garage in winter too! We have 3 windows in there that provide some light but not too much so we decided to add some extra light for them. There is already a light in there that we put on during the day for them. At night it gets very dark in there so we bought some of those battery powered lights from the pound shop and put them over their cage. I found that these worked well but do cost a lot over time.sounds good what u were thinking of though x
 
Hi, sorry for the late reply I've been at work.
This is my worry and about them getting ill due to the lack of light. I don't have a window in the garage :( I'm so unsure what to do during the winter he wont have them in the house at all. He's not happy about the camping in the utility room all winter either.
I really do not know what to do with my piggies over winter :(
 
Are the piggies allowed inside for lap time? Could you say your children need to have that time with them and can't do it in the garage. If you then make that time longer than it would normally be (and when it's dark after school do it in the morning), that will at least give them some natural light. Sounds like you will only need the artificial light when you want to see in the garage - doesn't sound like it will be of much benefit to the piggies (although I am no expert on that!).
 
PiggySmitten said:
Are the piggies allowed inside for lap time? Could you say your children need to have that time with them and can't do it in the garage. If you then make that time longer than it would normally be (and when it's dark after school do it in the morning), that will at least give them some natural light. Sounds like you will only need the artificial light when you want to see in the garage - doesn't sound like it will be of much benefit to the piggies (although I am no expert on that!).
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Thank you, I just wanted to use the artificial light so they are not in the dark constantly. The long lap times is a great idea. I work evenings so I could have them in a lot whist he's in bed (he works nights). I wondering if he would let me have them in the run during the day in the utility room or living room from 9am and put them back in the garage at tea time, with the light on until 8pm ish
 
My3cuteBoys said:
Thank you, I just wanted to use the artificial light so they are not in the dark constantly. The long lap times is a great idea. I work evenings so I could have them in a lot whist he's in bed (he works nights). I wondering if he would let me have them in the run during the day in the utility room or living room from 9am and put them back in the garage at tea time, with the light on until 8pm ish
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He's let you have them in when they are poorly though hasn't he? Maybe be concerned you've heard them sneeze and they may have a cold :whistle:. That might get them indoors for a few days.

Also if you bath them (to clean them - they are boys after all with sweat glands that need to be kept clear), you could time that so they need to be indoors in the daylight until they dry off.
 
Ik it's not great but could you possibly sit with the garage door open whilst your in there? It could get a littl cold but every time you to in there u could leave the door open so they are getting a little amount of natural light? I do that! Works well x
 
I realise you are in a difficult situation. But your garage has no windows.
No animal (human or otherwise) should EVER be put in an enclosure where they have NO access to natural light (via a window) for a continued period of more than 24hours.
There's some good suggestions above.
The bottom line is your piggies NEED natural light to keep their biorhythms functioning properly and without it they will get ill.
Hope you manage to find a solution

Tongue-in-cheek (as I do realise you are doing what you can) - maybe your husband should move into the garage without light and see how he likes it! LOL
 
PiggySmitten said:
He's let you have them in when they are poorly though hasn't he? Maybe be concerned you've heard them sneeze and they may have a cold :whistle:. That might get them indoors for a few days.

Also if you bath them (to clean them - they are boys after all with sweat glands that need to be kept clear), you could time that so they need to be indoors in the daylight until they dry off.
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Sounds a great plan, yep he's ok if they camp in the utility room when their wet. I think he might be ok if they are in there from time to time I will just have to explain that they will get very ill if they don't have natural light and see what he says to them being in the utility room during the day, with a LED light on in there at night.
I just hope they don't fall out before the end of march though as I have a whole new problem then lol.
Here's a pic of their campsite in the utility room from their last stay, the run works out at 170 by 58 (just very tiny bit sort of the 60) it's 4 panels by 1.
 

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I only want the best for my piggies.
My daughters and I love them to bits. But Sadly not everyone has the ability to have them living inside the house, so during the winter I want to make sure they are ok, so because of this I thought I would ask people on here for ideas and support...this is my first winter with my boys.
Also I don't know of any one (part from people on here) who cares for their guinea pigs the way I've learnt to through research and this forum, most people I know just think they live in the garden eating scraps of veg from time to time and eat the grass. So it's very difficult at times to explain my reasons for doing things. I'm being told I have very pampered piggies and I spoil them....or I can not believe you do that for them etc. I just think it's simply being a good responsible pet owner myself :)
 
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My3cuteBoys said:
I only want the best for my piggies.
My daughters and I love them to bits. But Sadly not everyone has the ability to have them living inside the house, so during the winter I want to make sure they are ok, so because of this I thought I would ask people on here for ideas and support...this is my first winter with my boys.
Also I don't know of any one (part from people on here) who cares for their guinea pigs the way I've learnt to through research and this forum, most people I know just think they live in the garden eating scraps of veg from time to time and eat the grass. So it's very difficult at time to explain my reasons for doing things. I'm being told I have very pampered piggies and I spoil them....or I can not believe you do that for them etc. I just think it's simply being a good responsible pet owner myself :)
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Don't doubt yourself as being a bad owner! :) You will know more than a lot of people about guinea pigs. Like you say a lot of people leave pets outside all year with no hay, veggies or pellets (trust me I know people). At least you are trying your hardest to do the best for your boys! My boys stayed in our garage last year and did fine. They had artificial lighting in the day and when I came home from school I gave them a few hours of natural light with the garage door open. We have 3 small windows that allow little light in. I know how u feel... I can't keep my boys indoors due to my dog who really dislikes them. So I try my hardest to give them the best life possibly outdoors. Just incase it gets a little chilly this winter I recommend buying a snugglesafe heat pad. They are great. Pop it in the microwave for 8 mins and bam 10hours of warmth. Really recommend them. If your considering getting one I would buy it now before prices rise for winter. I know how you feel but at least you are trying! :):gp::tu:
 
Kell you are one of the best owners I know and your boys want for absolutely nothing so never ever worry that you aren't doing enough. Each one of us does the best we can. I say keep their run up during the day and bring them in while he's asleep. He can't argue with you while he's asleep can he? You could face him with the harsh truth that if you don't to things certain ways for the pigs then they will get sick and the girls will be heartbroken. I'm sure he doesn't want to see his kids upset? x
 
Perfectpets11 said:
Don't doubt yourself as being a bad owner! :) You will know more than a lot of people about guinea pigs. Like you say a lot of people leave pets outside all year with no hay, veggies or pellets (trust me I know people). At least you are trying your hardest to do the best for your boys! My boys stayed in our garage last year and did fine. They had artificial lighting in the day and when I came home from school I gave them a few hours of natural light with the garage door open. We have 3 small windows that allow little light in. I know how you feel... I can't keep my boys indoors due to my dog who really dislikes them. So I try my hardest to give them the best life possibly outdoors. Just incase it gets a little chilly this winter I recommend buying a snugglesafe heat pad. They are great. Pop it in the microwave for 8 mins and bam 10hours of warmth. Really recommend them. If your considering getting one I would buy it now before prices rise for winter. I know how you feel but at least you are trying! :):gp::tu:
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Hi @Perfectpets11 thank you very much for you kind words, I stupidly didn't think about the natural lighting during winter until a few weeks ago i thought of everything else mainly I was so worried about keeping them warm and away from the elements during winter, I then couldn't seem to work out a suitable plan for the natural light knowing they were not allowed to live in the house so I asked for tips and advice on here. I could leave the garage door open but the hutch will be at the very back of the garage with the back of it facing the garage door, But I have an internal garage door that goes straight into the utility room I hoping to get their hutch facing this door and as close to it as poss. The back door is also in the utility room so I leave the utility door open when were home to offer some light that way and fresh air too. I'm really going to have to see if I can have them living in their run during the day in the utility and in the garage in the evening and night. Thank you again :hug:
Edited to say, about the heat pads I have one so far and I've wrote a status on Facebook asking if any of my friends and family are having a clear out of towels and fleece blankets could I have them for my piggies to keep them warm during winter (I don't use gay as bedding as they were sneezing a lot with shavings and hay, not that they really slept on the hay anyway :) ) I a have snuggle sack, the heat pad (I'm going to buy another ASAP) then their towels and blankets etc :)
 
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Flutterby said:
Kell you are one of the best owners I know and your boys want for absolutely nothing so never ever worry that you aren't doing enough. Each one of us does the best we can. I say keep their run up during the day and bring them in while he's asleep. He can't argue with you while he's asleep can he? You could face him with the harsh truth that if you don't to things certain ways for the pigs then they will get sick and the girls will be heartbroken. I'm sure he doesn't want to see his kids upset? x
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That's Very true Ruth thank you very much Hun, I Will just have to do that I think. And hopefully it will only be for this winter. The next one I hope to have them indoors x
 
Chief Guinea Pig said:
No natural light is bad, piggies need the natural light for their vitamins. Maybe you can talk him round?
Is there any space in the house for them?
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Hi Rachel, I fully agree with the natural lighting issue Hun that's why I wondered what other people did as I really can not be the only one on here who has no windows in their garage/shed and can not have them living inside the main house at all. I going to push to have them in the utility room all day from 8ish until tea time, longer is I can. 100% can not have them in the main rooms of the house during winter it's a big no no so this is the best I can do. :)
Kell.
 
My3cuteBoys said:
Hi Rachel, I fully agree with the natural lighting issue Hun that's why I wondered what other people did as I really can not be the only one on here who has no windows in their garage/shed and can not have them living inside the main house at all. I going to push to have them in the utility room all day from 8ish until tea time, longer is I can. 100% can not have them in the main rooms of the house during winter it's a big no no so this is the best I can do. :)
Kell.
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Good luck ;)
xx
 
My3cuteBoys said:
Hi Rachel, I fully agree with the natural lighting issue Hun that's why I wondered what other people did as I really can not be the only one on here who has no windows in their garage/shed and can not have them living inside the main house at all. I going to
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It's sounds like your gonna do a great job Hun:hug::). We are all here if u need any advice or help.just a quick thought but when your husband wakes up and the boys have to go back in their hutch, would it be possibly for you and the girls to give lap time in the garage with all the doors open so it's allowing more light in. You could also sit closer to one of the doors (maybe the garage since it's more natural light?) Hun your doing a great job so far! Good luck x:clap::tu::D
 
I keep my two in a shed but it has windows - I do bring the boys in during the day to give them lap time with me and my daughters on top of the visits I give them, and I have a pop-up fabric pet play pen for that - I attached their pet carrier to one of the zip open doors - quick to put up and put away - I do this when my OH is working hee hee! I work from home so I will be doing this too when the kids go back to school on Monday. :nod: My house is too small to dedicate an area to them (seriously crammed!) so this is my compromise. The pen itself has mesh fabric sides so nothing spills out either.

The boys (GP's) did this today and they both fell asleep while me and the girls (humans) watched Alvin and the Chipmunks, very sweet :)
 
Chief Guinea Pig said:
Good luck ;)
xx
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Thank you, I hope to not have an issue about next winter ;)
Perfectpets11 said:
It's sounds like your gonna do a great job Hun:hug::). We are all here if you need any advice or help.just a quick thought but when your husband wakes up and the boys have to go back in their hutch, would it be possibly for you and the girls to give lap time in the garage with all the doors open so it's allowing more light in. You could also sit closer to one of the doors (maybe the garage since it's more natural light?) Hun your doing a great job so far! Good luck x:clap::tu::D
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Hi, thank you for your lovely kind words. Ive told him this evening they will have to live in the utility room during the day every day during the winter else they will be come ill and that will really upset the girls, he don't reply I'm sure he will be ok with it he's just very very stubborn so will moan about them being in there from time to time eg when he can not get into the garage.
Saying that he does clearly care about them as whilst I was out today the bright sunshine vanished and we had a brief down pour I came home worrying that the fleece etc would be dripping wet (and in need of changing) he had gone out to the garden and pulled the hutch cover over the hutch, when I asked if he said I covered the pigs up just before it started to rain :blink: . I think they will very ok this winter :) x
 
smileyface:) said:
I keep my two in a shed but it has windows - I do bring the boys in during the day to give them lap time with me and my daughters on top of the visits I give them, and I have a pop-up fabric pet play pen for that - I attached their pet carrier to one of the zip open doors - quick to put up and put away - I do this when my OH is working hee hee! I work from home so I will be doing this too when the kids go back to school on Monday. :nod: My house is too small to dedicate an area to them (seriously crammed!) so this is my compromise. The pen itself has mesh fabric sides so nothing spills out either.

The boys (GP's) did this today and they both fell asleep while me and the girls (humans) watched Alvin and the Chipmunks, very sweet :)
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Are bless them, I like to see sleeping piggies as they seem to sleep in such a funny way. Thank you for replying and telling me/us about what you do with your piggies it's always helpful to hear how other piggies are cared for I've picked up so many great tips reading what people have said about their guineas, I think I know the pop up tent you mean. :)
 
My3cuteBoys said:
Are bless them, I like to see sleeping piggies as they seem to sleep in such a funny way. Thank you for replying and telling me/us about what you do with your piggies it's always helpful to hear how other piggies are cared for I've picked up so many great tips reading what people have said about their guineas, I think I know the pop up tent you mean. :)
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I'm not allowed mine in the house to live full-time as years ago we had a Chinchilla that kept flicking things out of its cage - so the only way I was able to get my boys was to have a shed - however my OH is happy as long as when he gets in there is no trace of them having been in the house - hence the packaway popup pen. My daughter has eczema too so we need to make sure nothing is brought in that could flair that up too (like the bedding etc) but so far she is great with them, no problems yet. :D - sounds like he's a closet piggy fan and if you come home early one day you might catch him sitting with them watching Die Hard or something! lol
 
PiggySmitten said:
Did you get that heatpad working ok in the end Kell?
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I copied you Hun, I took it to bed with me ha ha, it was still keeping my tootsies nice a warm at 7.30 when I had to get up. I think it went colder quicker before because it was outside which makes total sense lol so it's working very well...for me anyway :)
I was in a certain pet shop today and they were selling the same heat pads for £20+ I was shocked.
 
My3cuteBoys said:
I copied you Hun, I took it to bed with me ha ha, it was still keeping my tootsies nice a warm at 7.30 when I had to get up. I think it went colder quicker before because it was outside which makes total sense lol so it's working very well...for me anyway :)
I was in a certain pet shop today and they were selling the same heat pads for £20+ I was shocked.
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Yeah I'm thinking I may have to get some more while the price is good (and so I can keep one for our bed!) - I got 2 ages ago for the two boys in their hutch over winter and then bought 2 more with that really cheaper price recently as the boys are quite big now so probably need one each and I've read about people having one in and another one to swap with as you have to let them completely cool before reheating.
I've been using one to sit the two girls on after dipping them (did second dip today) to keep them warm while they air dry and I think it might be worth keeping one spare for things like that again (hopefully won't happen again but you never know).
 
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