Garage Lighting During Winter?

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PiggySmitten said:
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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I'm hoping the offer is still on next Friday so I can get two more (one each) I've been busy today so I didn't get chance to dip my boys for the third time, I will tomorrow :)
 
Don't worry Kell, we'll slowly sneak the boy's inside, one day at a time until they live inside perminantly. We'll get c+c grids and build their cage one grid at a time, kinda like a de-sensitisation for your hubby lol. In the end he won't even notice! :) :)
 
I believe you can get lights that simulate natural light for plants and reptiles. Maybe you could leave one end of the hutch open on top, place one of the reptile bulbs as they also provide heat. They might cost a little more to use, but I guess that's the toss up. Tell him they need this orrrrr they need to be in the house where they can have enough sunlight.

Honestly my husband does not really like animals that much. He always says no about everything blah blah blah, But you know what?!? I live here too and this is just as much my house. So I don't ask anymore I just DO! He gets to have the things he likes, why can't I? I don't ask him to help with them at all, so I say put your foot down! :D

Tell him, suck it up cupcake the pigs are moving in for the winter lol lol.
 
KittyandNancy said:
I believe you can get lights that simulate natural light for plants and reptiles. Maybe you could leave one end of the hutch open on top, place one of the reptile bulbs as they also provide heat. They might cost a little more to use, but I guess that's the toss up. Tell him they need this orrrrr they need to be in the house where they can have enough sunlight.

Honestly my husband does not really like animals that much. He always says no about everything blah blah blah, But you know what?!? I live here too and this is just as much my house. So I don't ask anymore I just DO! He gets to have the things he likes, why can't I? I don't ask him to help with them at all, so I say put your foot down! :D

Tell him, suck it up cupcake the pigs are moving in for the winter lol lol.
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Angela :lol::clap::)) you and Ruth make me chuckle, Fab tips and advice thank you. Watch this space I will be posting pic of indoor piggies in no time :gp:
 
smileyface:) said:
: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
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I agree with that smileyface, I've walked into the kitchen or living room a few time and found him hold one of our piggies, I have also heard him say to our youngest daughter...'careful with him....that's it use both hands to pick him up' so yep he's a closet piggy fan :tu:
 
My3cuteBoys said:
Angela :lol::clap::)) you and Ruth make me chuckle, Fab tips and advice thank you. Watch this space I will be posting pic of indoor piggies in no time :gp:
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Yay! That would be great! I get so sick of men always saying no no. I have a friend who stays home and doesn't work. She wants a dog like my Mimi she's 5pounds. Her husband says NO, no real reasons such as allergies ect. I said just GO GET ONE! Geesh! I mean I can understand my husband right now lol we are at our limit! I agree with him on this FOR NOW! Hahaha.

I just don't understand the he says no, well you say yes! it's both your home so it's not decided to everyone's liking until everyone is happy. There must be some room in some part of the house that he could handle them being in for the winter. Sorry I'm getting all riled up now hahaha.

It's gonna cost him more than a little inconvenience if they all get sick or God forbid Die! Then you will all be angry and blame him! Even if you don't say it, in the back of your mind you will! :box::gp:
 
My3cuteBoys said:
I agree with that smileyface, I've walked into the kitchen or living room a few time and found him hold one of our piggies, I have also heard him say to our youngest daughter...'careful with him....that's it use both hands to pick him up' so yep he's a closet piggy fan :tu:
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Hahahaha a closet piggyfan LOVE IT!
 
So funny, I had the discussion of "can I?" about getting the piggies for ages with my OH, and this went on for a wee while until it occurred to me that I am a grown woman, able to decide for myself, and that if there is no hazard to him and the kids why not - he then laughed and said it was time I realised that I can, and should make my own decisions, and to stop looking for his approval all the time - and he then said why don't you buy the shed then and get started. ha ha - he's such a messer! :nod: :)
 
smileyface:) said:
So funny, I had the discussion of "can I?" about getting the piggies for ages with my OH, and this went on for a wee while until it occurred to me that I am a grown woman, able to decide for myself, and that if there is no hazard to him and the kids why not - he then laughed and said it was time I realised that I can, and should make my own decisions, and to stop looking for his approval all the time - and he then said why don't you buy the shed then and get started. ha ha - he's such a messer! :nod: :)
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That is so AWESOME! If my husband had it his way we would have NO animals. When we were dating I was going to school to be a vet tech/nurse. I had three dogs, two rats and a hedgehog BY MYSELF! He knew I use to have and show horses and even had a pet goat for Pete's sake. He knew what he was getting into lol lol.

I basically take care of the whole house including the yard, animals, AAAANNNNDD the kids. He and my son actually wanted to get a snake. He knew how I felt about them and didn't want one, but I said fine, but don't ask me to touch it or feed it. So they got a ball python. I learned about them so if anything happened I would know what to do. Well I'm glad I DID! One day I was downstairs in the kitchen and my son was probably 8/9 at the time, calls down very calmly and says mom I have a problem. The snake had bit onto his arm! I'm freaking out he is not. He comes down I ran water over the snakes head so he would
Let go as i held onto the tail end. OMG was it strong. It was trying to get behind the fridge as I was holding on for dear life. THANK GOD the trash can was empty and in arms reach or I would have probably been bitten myself. I finally got it off the counter and put it in the trash can took it upstairs and dumped it back in the tank.

So I say BOOO HOOO! it actually feels quite liberating to just go ahead and make a decision for myself.

When and if he actually wants to sit down and have a conversation and hear the kids and my side on why we want an animal, FINE, then we will discuss it but his answer is always immediately NO! So I don't ask anymore

This started last year when I asked him about fostering Mama the pregnant beagle ( who is now ours) He said "NO, BUT I know you'll do whatever the hell you want anyway" so I did lol lol.
Then when she got here he says " I thought I had said NO" and I said "yeah but you said I would do what I wanted anyway, so I did what I wanted" he was mad for a spell but got over it. Bet he won't say that again hahahahahahaha.

Anyway I'm just sick of it! Why does what HE Say have to be the final answer?!? IT DOESNT! (About me here) sorry for ranting lol lol. This is a touchy subject for me I guess.

I mean honestly what is he gonna do if you move them into the house? To a room he doesn't frequent? A place out of the way? Not in the dinning room like mine are lol.

What's the worst thing that will happen? My guess is he will be crabby and pout for a while and then get over it and actually start to like the pigs even more. I found a video on my husbands phone (that he took himself hahahaha.) Petting our cat Georgie and talking a little baby talk to him. I was like WHAT IS THIS?!? Mr. Animal hater?!? It was sooooo funny.

Sorry for rambling on.

You need to make a decision about what is best for the little lives in your care! You would have no problem telling him where to go if he said your kids had to live in the dark garage( with no window) all winter would you? This is NO different in my opinion.

Okay ((((hugs))))) lol! WOW I feel like I just went to therapy and unloaded hahahaha.

SO SORRY for ranting away, but it felt good.

Angela
 
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Even in you could have the lights on, it's not the same as natural light.
Could you try a spare room?
 
My3cuteBoys said:
Hi, we rent our house so it's in the rules.. no pets inside.
He's sticking to that as well as his belief that that guinea and rabbits are meant to live outside during the summer and in the shed during the winter.
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Okay I get that, BUT, you do bring them in at times. They aren't going to bark and make noise or be running loose to destroy things and my guess is the owner doesn't come by once a month to so a home inspection and it's only for part of the year. Have you ever asked the landlord about having guinea pigs? Maybe he is more concerned about cats and dogs wrecking his property (which I totally understand) maybe he would let you put down a pet deposit so if something were to be ruined he would keep it to fix whatever is ruined. Which will be nothing so you will get it back.

You can explain GP to him and where they'll be kept and how and that you're willing to put down a pet deposited. Here in the states it's usually 3-500$ but that's for cats and dogs.
I say it's worth a shot! and then if the owner says yes, then your husband can't say a word. :D You don't even have to tell the owner you already have them unless he already knows, you could just say your thinking about it and wanted to ask.
(I didn't remember that you rented) sorry.

I believe WILD GP should live outside in their natural habitat, which most of the world is not suitable for them to do that year round so as pets we have to keep them safe, healthy and happy as they're NOT in and can never be wild guinea pigs. I also believe that rules can be changed. :D

Angela
 
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Flutterby said:
I think the utility idea is the best hun, then technically they aren't 'living' inside :) x
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Isn't the utility area in the house? It looked like it in the pics. What exactly is a utility area in the UK. from the pics it seemed like they would be in the way of laundry and with that there it might get to hot and humid from the washer and dryer? But maybe not.
 
Shame you don't have a suitable shed with windows! That could make everyone happy.
Kell, I think you've got enough planned to get them natural light each day that you don't need to worry about them being in the garage in the dark at night. I wouldn't bother with rigging them a light up for the night. I agree it isn't the same as natural light anyway, piggies can see reasonably well in the dark if they need to (our boys manage to eat a bowl of nuggets overnight most nights!) and they are in a safe known to them environment too, and you can knock off your list of worries your hubby objections to the electricity cost of that.

I do think you will need a light so you can see when you go in to look after them if you haven't got one!

I don't have any intellectual basis for saying this but my instinct tells me that surely having an artificial light on all the time might disrupt their natural rhythm. How will they know when it is night time? Most humans need the light off to sleep.

I am sure you will do marvellously for these piggies. You are a good piggy mum!
 
Hi Angela, the utility room is internal it's just a normal room like in the rest of the house its like and like an extra part of the kitchen, it's got a sink, worktop, washing machine and cupboards in there plus a radiator, the back door is half window so very light in there, the internal garage door is in the utility room too.
 
My3cuteBoys said:
Hi Angela, the utility room is internal it's just a normal room like in the rest of the house its like and like an extra part of the kitchen, it's got a sink, worktop, washing machine and cupboards in there plus a radiator, the back door is half window so very light in there, the internal garage door is in the utility room too.
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I'm so confused lol. So it's like what we would call a mudroom?!? But wouldn't that still be considered in the house?
I agree that they don't need a light at night on all the time. In the wild they most likely spend the night in a den or underground where there is no light. I would try to get a light like for plants or reptiles for the daytime, they do give vit D just like natural sun.
 
PiggySmitten said:
Shame you don't have a suitable shed with windows! That could make everyone happy.
Kell, I think you've got enough planned to get them natural light each day that you don't need to worry about them being in the garage in the dark at night. I wouldn't bother with rigging them a light up for the night. I agree it isn't the same as natural light anyway, piggies can see reasonably well in the dark if they need to (our boys manage to eat a bowl of nuggets overnight most nights!) and they are in a safe known to them environment too, and you can knock off your list of worries your hubby objections to the electricity cost of that.

I do think you will need a light so you can see when you go in to look after them if you haven't got one!

I don't have any intellectual basis for saying this but my instinct tells me that surely having an artificial light on all the time might disrupt their natural rhythm. How will they know when it is night time? Most humans need the light off to sleep.

I am sure you will do marvellously for these piggies. You are a good piggy mum!
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Thank you very much piggysmitten, I will pop the main garage light on when I'm in the garage cleaning out the hutch he wont mind that, he will start the moaning if it's on for an hours. So like you say during the night it will be ok to be dark in there I have to get my son up for college at 6am so I will sort them out then eg set up their run in the utility room (I'm busy collecting unwanted towels and blankets from my friends and family so I have plenty to hand) I will have them in their run ASAP each early morning until as late as poss I think I could make this as late as 9pm. So they would only be in garage during the night. I have daily lap time with them too and lots of visits too.
 
My3cuteBoys said:
Thank you very much piggysmitten, I will pop the main garage light on when I'm in the garage cleaning out the hutch he wont mind that, he will start the moaning if it's on for an hours. So like you say during the night it will be ok to be dark in there I have to get my son up for college at 6am so I will sort them out then eg set up their run in the utility room (I'm busy collecting unwanted towels and blankets from my friends and family so I have plenty to hand) I will have them in their run ASAP each early morning until as late as poss I think I could make this as late as 9pm. So they would only be in garage during the night. I have daily lap with them too and looks of visits too.
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Oh my word, well then they should be totally fine! That sounds like a great idea. I guess I would worry and maybe this is not anything to worry about. But if they go from your warm house to the cold garage, the sudden temp change might not be good for them. But maybe in the UK the temp change wouldn't be as drastic as it is here from house to garage/carriage lol. Here our house in the winter is usually about 70-72F and our garage can be at freezing or below at times.

Well that sounds like a fab idea and plan. Disregard everything I said above. :)
 
I think the thread got confusing along the way Angela, although the piggies are not aloud in the house he seems ok with them being in utility room over night eg because of their dipping (their in there now). I plan to wrap a couple of covered water bottles into their hutch bedding a few hours before they go back into their hutch at night I will remove the hot water bottles before add piggies to the hutch I hope that way they will cope with the temp, I will have lots of bedding and cosy fleece things in the hutch to keep them warm.
Here's a couple of photos to show what i mean about my utility room (taken 5mins ago) :)
 

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Lol I meant if they are in the utility room during the day and garage at night Kell could get away with saying they aren't 'technicAlly' living inside *grins* :-):-)
 
Good luck with the piggies slowly moving into the utility room. I know you are a good owner with their best interests at heart.

My husband didn't want me to get piggies at first. Now he loves them, he's been on amazon buying them a little wooden house for their run. Lol :xd: Your husband will come round to them.
 
Julie M said:
Good luck with the piggies slowly moving into the utility room. I know you are a good owner with their best interests at heart.

My husband didn't want me to get piggies at first. Now he loves them, he's been on amazon buying them a little wooden house for their run. Lol :xd: Your husband will come round to them.
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Thank you Julie, these little piggies are l very loved and I know he wouldn't want them to be ill again or come to any harm. :)
 
Flutterby said:
Kells the best piggy mum! :-)
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I try to be :)
I have 3 soggy piggies this evening. I was so pleased to see them popcorning around their indoor run straight after i had soaked them with the treatment and towel dried them a bit, so clearly it did not bother them that much this time. Only one more dip to go and I've hardly seen them scratch so it's defiantly working :)
 
Yep that's what we call a mudroom.

You are a GREAT pig mom and I'm not really worried about your pigs at all. I know you would make sure they're safe and sound! it was just the husband telling you NO that got me all in a tizzy. Lol

Ang
 
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