Hutch outside in winter?

[thewildthings]

OK- so I rescued three baby piggies a week ago. My parents HATE them plus my sister has dust allergies and as I share a bedroom with her I cannot house them in doors because of the dust from hay/bedding etc and because my parents just won't allow it- they don't like animals at all.

So i'm going to have to leave them out.

At the moment I putting two heavy weight blankets and a big plastic sheet over them- it is cool but not freezing cold (** UK)

I was going to buy an insulated hutch cover today and one of those cuddle warm pads things that you put in the microwave, plus line the hutches with fleece blankets. Them put a blanket over the hutch then the cover plus lots of hay inside and obviously the cuddle pad in the main bedding area

Will this be enough when the weather gets colder? It is reportedly going to snow in November so V concnered


The only other alternative is to house them in the garage- but we do store the cars in there in the winter.

 

[BossHogg]

If you have space in your garden for a shed, check your local freecycle to see if anyone has one up for grabs. Run an extension lead in and you can put lights and heating in.

 

[Loutopia]

If you can get a cheap shed then that would be brilliant! Extreme temps are not ideal for babies but it sounds like you are doing brilliantly already. Watch you don't layer the hutch up to much to start with as it's not that cold yet and there won't be that much more you can do for them by the time any snow comes lol!
You are right in thinking not to put them in the garage tho as the fumes from the exhausts are deadly. If it was me then I would purchase a scratch and newton hutch hugger, get a snuggle pad for each of them (the heat last around 8hrs so keep warming them up for them throughout the day and night) keep plenty of hay in the hutch for warmth - I'd also get a rabbit cottage from pets at home (£16) a wooden house filled with hay and a snuggle pad inside the hutch will help to keep them warm, fleece blankets, spread a thick layer of newspaper on the base for absorbancy and make sure you keep on top of getting rid of damp bedding as it will freeze, put a couple of duvets, then a tarpaulin sheet (b&q £15) on top of the hutch hugger. The hutch hugger should stop any condensation forming between he hutch roof and the hugger but keep a check on it as you don't want the roof rotting. Remember to keep the water bottles covered with the bottle huggers to keep them from freezing - check on the guineas frequently throughout the day and night and fingers crossed they will be ok. I can't speak from experience so maybe someone else might have some handy tips? At the end of the day though they have you for a mummy who cares enough to be seeking help and advice so I'm sure they will be fine :-)

 

[piggyme234]

Only thing I can think to add is to check what direction the wind usually comes from and try to protect them from it. The wind here comes from the west so when mine were in hutches outside they were in the most sheltered spot outside the back door with the back of the hutches against the west facing wall.

 

[Abi_nurse]

Snuggle safe heat pads, lots of hay, fleece and bedding and a hutch cover should be enough. It isn't ideal for babies. A shed or outhouse would be great if you have one you could put the hutch in?

x.