Ok to go Outside this Week?

[Storm1974]

So I've just been checking the temps for my location for this week and although it's going to be lovely and sunny and the temperatures are going to be a minimum of 16c which is warm enough for our piggies, the actual 'feels like' temps are only going to be from 11c to a max of 13c by Thursday, and after that it starts to get warmer. So do we have to wait until Friday until we can put them out? It seems such a shame to keep them in all week in such lovely weather!

We only have an open metal run but always put a couple of boxes in there for them to go in, for shelter.

Our back garden where they'll be is N-NE facing and the winds are going to be high teens to mid twenties most of this week, and E/South Easterly.

The sun is really warm come afternoon, but is the air/ground temp going to be too cold, do you think?

 

[Piggies&buns]

The guide for them being able to go on grass is that you need to be able to stand on the grass with bare feet without feeling cold and damp.
The air temp does factor but if it feels at all cold or damp underfoot despite air temp then they won’t be comfortable.

Don’t forget that access to grass needs to be built up slowly every year - so if they haven’t eaten any grass yet (ie picking it and feeding it to them in the cage while increasing the quantity gradually) this year, then they can’t have long on grass (5-10 minutes) even if the temp is ok.

Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time

 

[Bill & Ted]

My lot had a few hours out today, I think they all enjoyed the grass

 

[KK327]

The boys have been out 4 times now just for short bursts when the temp has been up and the sunshine has been out - we are in the South of England. They have enjoyed it so much - the joy of seeing them outside makes my heart burst and it's so hard being strict and bringing them back in again after their allotted time but we are building up slowly as advised. Luckily for us our soil is more chalk than anything and it dries out super fast.

 

[piggieminder]

Despite being in the south of the country it will need a few weeks of this weather before mine can go out I think. Our soil is very heavy clay and takes ages to warm up/dry out.

 

[KK327]

Despite being in the south of the country it will need a few weeks of this weather before mine can go out I think. Our soil is very heavy clay and takes ages to warm up/dry out.

The chalk is not easy to grow things in and it everything gets dry very quickly but it's such an advantage at this time of the year. The boys had 1/2 hour out at tea time in the afternoon sun and you could just see them smiling - it's utter joy.