Hot weather and new piggies

[Pigboyslim]

Hi

So we’ve had our piggies for 12 days now, they’re super nervous and I’ve gone totally hands off. One will grab his food now with the hutch door open so baby (piggie) steps!

Anyway, their hutch is outside, not in full sun from around 1300 but it sits on a concrete area that really throws off heat for most of the afternoon and early evening so I’ve moved them into the garage.
My question is, should I be moving back to the hutch each evening? Or should I just leave them in the garage until this heatwave is over? I’m really trying not to traumatize them too much by chopping and changing around. They’ve so far not had a decent run around or anything (despite my attempts)
They’re around 16 weeks old, boys.

Photos of the hutch and garage.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

So we’ve had our piggies for 12 days now, they’re super nervous and I’ve gone totally hands off. One will grab his food now with the hutch door open so baby (piggie) steps!

Anyway, their hutch is outside, not in full sun from around 1300 but it sits on a concrete area that really throws off heat for most of the afternoon and early evening so I’ve moved them into the garage.
My question is, should I be moving back to the hutch each evening? Or should I just leave them in the garage until this heatwave is over? I’m really trying not to traumatize them too much by chopping and changing around. They’ve so far not had a decent run around or anything (despite my attempts)
They’re around 16 weeks old, boys.

Photos of the hutch and garage.

Hi!

Please follow the tips in this comprehensive hot weather guide here to keep your boys alive and safe.
Bring them indoors. In a pinch the bathtub with a beach towel will do; run some cold water before drying it off an putting the boys in.
Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

Please be aware that your hutch is a death trap right now. Also monitor the temperature in the garage; as it is not insulated it could overheat, too!

Move them back at night once the outdoors is cooler and fresher but keep them indoors if there is a risk of thunderstorms.

 

[Pigboyslim]

They’re not in their hutch, they’re in a cooler garage, with iced water bottles wrapped in towels.

I wanted to know if I should just leave them be for a few days or keep transferring from hutch to garage every day, seeing as they are still new and nervous.
Inside is not really an option presently.

 

[Wiebke]

They’re not in their hutch, they’re in a cooler garage, with iced water bottles wrapped in towels.

I wanted to know if I should just leave them be for a few days or keep transferring from hutch to garage every day, seeing as they are still new and nervous.
Inside is not really an option presently.

Please read the tips and the vital information in the guide link; they are far more encompassing than a bottle of water, which is fine, but has its limits.

Basically you keep the boys where they are coolest and safest at any point of the day, even if it means moving around.

 

[Fantasimo]

I agree that moving them to wherever is coolest is probably best and the handling will probably be good for them anyway, because you’ll be taking them somewhere nice and cool and so they’ll get more and more used to you. Same goes for giving them nice cold watermelon/cucumber from the fridge. It’s understandable to be nervous when you get new pets, but it sounds like you’re doing a great job and really thinking about their welfare, so I’m sure that by handling them to and from various cool locations you will increase your growing bond with them instead of damaging it