Housing Dilemma Mold

[Laura0709]

Hello,

I have a bit of a problem and would appreciate advice. For over 15 years I have had g.pigs and kept them outside and they have lived for over 8 years, and this is outside in a hutch with covers and no shed. The last few years I can see time and time again its becoming more commonplace to keep them inside with fleece etc. I do get the impression indoor g.pig owners think outdoor g.pig owners are really mean not keeping them inside (not on here where everyone is lovely, but on other g.pig sites where I see really sarcastic comments towards outdoor g.pig owners).

I do have a garage which has no car kept in it. The last time I put my guinea pigs hutch in there during very cold weather they became very subdued, stopped talking and looked really lethargic. I moved them back out and they became their normal selves again. The issue I have now is that I have a hutch that has an opening roof and its becoming covered in black mold on the inside, not coating the wood but kind of ingrained in it like a thin amount - no amount of spraying with Conficlean 2 has had an effect and naturally I'm increasingly worried about their respiratory systems. There is a lot of rain and fog where I am. I have a hutch cover but it doesn't fit over the roof just the front and sides, and even that I have to be careful with, because if it isn't aired out enough that gets mold too. I have tarpaulin which is useless to this effect as water somehow always gets underneath and as soon as the sun is out it then warms up and increases the issue.

Should I move them in to the garage where there is a window but its's naturally darker and they have nothing but a concrete wall to look out at, but where the hutch will protected from the wet? Or does anyone have any other tips to improve the mold and damp situation outside?
I can't let them come inside, hubby won't allow, he will only agree they come in for playtime, cuddles and if they are ill (until treatment finished and they are better).

Whether its the weird weather the last few years I don't know, winters in the UK seem to be just mild and damp lately, but in over 15 years I have never had this dilemma or issue with mold!

Thanks, appreciate any advice!

 

[piggieminder]

I think it's the weather we are getting. Warm and moist are perfect growing conditions for mold. I wonder if the garage would be better, could you have the door open during the day to air it and let in more light. If your piggies are like mine they hate anything new and will be subdued for a couple of weeks while they get used to the change od scene. At least in the garage the hutch would be dryer.

 

[Laura0709]

Thanks p

I think it's the weather we are getting. Warm and moist are perfect growing conditions for mold. I wonder if the garage would be better, could you have the door open during the day to air it and let in more light. If your piggies are like mine they hate anything new and will be subdued for a couple of weeks while they get used to the change od scene. At least in the garage the hutch would be dryer.

Thanks I think your right, we're having a look to see the best position in there and yes I can leave the door open when not raining. OH has now offered to build me something for outside that will protect them from the elements early next year. It's so annoying, he loves them coming inside to play and regularly goes out to feed them and make a fuss, but I cannot persuade him for them to live inside.

 

[Kylie80]

Sorry if this question is off topic but do you not get snakes in the UK?. I would love to have the piggies outside during the day for some fresh air and grass but it's waaay to hot over here in summer and i'm concerned about snakes because we get a lot over here.

 

[chesca_27]

Could you get a shed to put the hutches in or have free roaming in the shed (don't know your set up sorry)? It would keep them dryer and warmer and might give them more space.

Otherwise, the garage sounds like a good idea

Also in the UK, I've never heard of wild snakes. We have domestic ones, but I've never had to worry about them.

Normally it's foxes and cats here.

 

[Laura0709]

I do want a shed, but again hubby has said no due to space issues...it's the ideal solution though and I'm always trying to change his mind.
Yes Kylie we do grass snakes them in the UK (as well as adders), we have a grass snake that resides in next doors garden, but I'm not worried as they wouldn't attack a g.pig in a hutch or a run. Not the type of prey they would go for over here. Mine are on patio, not the long wild grass that snakes like to move about in.

Foxes are the main threat as chesca says, and cats, also dogs to an extent. Rats are also a problem, but if your garden is kept clean and tidy, and hutch clean etc, they have no reason to be in it, and a garage or shed wouldn't stop rats either really.

We are putting them in the garage today, think it's the best option with this damp and cold. Ironically it's now lovely and sunny today!