Inside Or Out?

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Nigda

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I have 3 male GPs by default.... They were given to the school I work at and my son offered to look after them at weekends and holidays. This soon became evenings as well (we live very close to the school) and so every morning the boys go to 'work', entertain small children and then come home. Their commute is about 1 minute and they happily sit in a carrier on the front seat of the car - strapped in of course.

When they are at work they are mostly outside in a run and although I ensure that they have as many home comforts as I can, the thinking in school is that 'they'll cope, they are animals' and as they technically belong to school and if I pushed it they might remove our rights of access, I and the boys cope knowing that they come home to Guinea Pig Towers at the end of the day.

In spring, GPT was purchased and consists of a 5ft x 2ft elevated cage with ramp and double sized run beneath. Prior to this purchase, they lived in a 2 storey inside cage but fought a lot. We have, over a couple of rainy summer nights brought them back into this cage but they argue a lot and seem dozy. The advice I seek is this... Since April they have been outside pigs but started life as nighttime indoor pigs... They seem happier out there and if I purchase micro pads etc, would it be better to leave them out as they have now become outdoor pigs or will they always be indoor pigs and should be brought in now that the weather is changing?

I would really appreciate some advice...
 
Hello and welcome to the forum.

Because guineas do not cope well with the cold they would be better indoors. They do not cope well with temperature change either so if they were to be in at night it wouldn't be very wise to put them out in the day as
the ground should also be dry. Damp ground can cause urinary tract infections/respiratory infections.

You will find that boys in more than pairs generally do not get along and will almost always at some point fall out. The more space boys have the better but be prepared that they may fall out, how old are they ?
 
I must admit, though mine are in the shed in hutches, keeping them inside is the best option if it can be done - especially because they are constantly in front of you and its a great way to get to know them too - though I am getting heating in the shed this winter so plan to stay in there with them alot! I have three boys - when I had two they lived inside as the two were bonded, but I needed more space to make sure they didnt squabble. I now have another boy who will get the snip and will get a wife for christmas - so a shed is the best option for me otherwise my small house would be coming down with piggie things!
 
this is also a concern of mine with the coming months……they've always been outdoors, even before they came into my care.
My dad being the star he is fixed tarpaulin not only to the back and each end of hutch, but then got some wood and went over the end of hutches again, so there is a double layer of wood with tarpauline in-between. With this the tarp hang over front with a baton of wood fixed to it and a bungee cord attached all way along via trunking, so that at nights i can pull it down and fix to hutch - but also in summer he fixed a grid that pulls out from top of hutch, so that i can roll up tarp and effectively have an awning, thus protecting them from elements.
They have fleece cosies each and am going to buy the heat pads….so this with thick bedding will it be enough to keep them warm?
Unfortunately they can't go into shed as we don't have one, nor can they come indoors as we don't have the room, but am happy to take what measures i can to ensure they are comfy as can be :)
 
The heat pads are great as they can stay warm for up to 10 hours, if they are under the fleece cosies and protection over the front of the hutch then this maybe adequate x
 
Thank you @rosie and bramble . Thats why I've always used tarp and it secure along bottom and a bungee cord across middle, plus they have each other to snuggle with if need be, so their combined body heat will help :)
 
Thank you all for this... We don't have a shed sadly that could house them so I have spend last night looking at alternatives. There is a C&C framework on eBay that is near to me ending soon so I am hoping that I am successful with that then they can come inside and spend the winter snuggled up...

Thank you all again.
 
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