Outdoor exercise

[Jlo-888]

Hi everyone!

We have 2 outdoor guinea pigs (we do not have the option to bring them inside now it’s getting colder but we have built a wooden surround for the hutch for extra insulation). They’re in a 2 storey 4x2 hutch with an attachable run and until now we’ve been them access to the run daily which they love. It’s getting colder so I’m wondering what everyone does for exercise (indoors or garage/shed is not an option at all)? Should I still give them access to the run and give them the choice whether they go out? I was thinking about covering the ground in the run with cardboard boxes/ fleece and the top with tarpaulin to insulate it a bit and protect from the weather. Looking for advice that will see me through the cold winter months.

 

[Piggies&buns]

You could possibly put some plastic down on the ground under the run with plenty of bedding on top of it so they aren’t standing on wet or cold ground (with a tarp over the run roof in any event). I wouldn’t let them out at all if it is actively raining though. You might be able to give them a few hours exercise if you can ensure that the floor isn’t cold on a dry day.

Temperature is another major factor though. Without seeing your set up it’s hard to say, but maybe you could surround the run wire in plastic so wind can’t get in, put some snugglesafes on top of the run bedding so it is warmer (the plastic may help hold in some heat) so it may allow you to extend the outdoor exercise season a little for them? Below 15 degrees, certainly below 10, is too cold for guinea pigs so I wouldn’t let them out at all if it is below that. You will most likely find that they won’t want to come out if it is warmer in bed anyway!

My two live in a hutch but it’s in my shed so they have access to the shed floor to play throughout the winter but only if it is warm enough. They often can only get an hour in the middle of a winters day if the sun has come out enough to create some extra warmth in the shed itself (their hutch is always warm enough inside though).

 

[Jlo-888]

You could possibly put some plastic down on the ground under the run with plenty of bedding on top of it so they aren’t standing on wet or cold ground (with a tarp over the run roof in any event). I wouldn’t let them out at all if it is actively raining though. You might be able to give them a few hours exercise if you can ensure that the floor isn’t cold on a dry day.

Temperature is another major factor though. Without seeing your set up it’s hard to say, but maybe you could surround the run wire in plastic so wind can’t get in, put some snugglesafes on top of the run bedding so it is warmer (the plastic may help hold in some heat) so it may allow you to extend the outdoor exercise season a little for them? Below 15 degrees, certainly below 10, is too cold for guinea pigs so I wouldn’t let them out at all if it is below that. You will most likely find that they won’t want to come out if it is warmer in bed anyway!

My two live in a hutch but it’s in my shed so they have access to the shed floor to play throughout the winter but only if it is warm enough. They often can only get an hour in the middle of a winters day if the sun has come out enough to create some extra warmth in the shed itself (their hutch is always warm enough inside though).

Thank you! That really useful information, I guess I just feel guilty that they don’t get out much compared to their whole days outside in warmer weather but I get that it’s for their health! So do your guinea pigs go for relatively long periods over winter when they don’t get out at all?

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s difficult with outdoor piggies. Their warmth needs to be a priority.
Have you had your piggies long/through a winter before?
My two will come out even if only for a little while most days until about Xmas. January/February can be a bit hit and miss as to whether they come out at all or only for a short while. It’s all down to what that thermometer in the shed says! The benefit I have with having a shed is that if the sun comes out, even if outside is too cold, my shed can get to 15-20 degrees so it is fine for them to come and have a play out on a winters day (its great in winter but in summer a bit of sun and it is too hot for them to be in there and they have to be out of the shed by 8/9am some days). If the sun doesn’t come out, then they will be in the hutch with their covers down and snugglesafes in. It’s the temperature swings that can also be problematic so I try hard to keep it as stable within their hutch as possible. By using the hutch covers to trap in any warmth of the day and using the snugglesafes to help keep the temperature within the hutch from having too big a swing. I can keep inside the hutch 10-15 degrees. It didn’t get below 10/12 degrees at all last winter.

 

[Jlo-888]

It’s difficult with outdoor piggies. Their warmth needs to be a priority.
Have you had your piggies long/through a winter before?
My two will come out even if only for a little while most days until about Xmas. January/February can be a bit hit and miss as to whether they come out at all or only for a short while. It’s all down to what that thermometer in the shed says! The benefit I have with having a shed is that if the sun comes out, even if outside is too cold, my shed can get to 15-20 degrees so it is fine for them to come and have a play out on a winters day (its great in winter but in summer a bit of sun and it is too hot for them to be in there and they have to be out of the shed by 8/9am some days). If the sun doesn’t come out, then they will be in the hutch with their covers down and snugglesafes in. It’s the temperature swings that can also be problematic so I try hard to keep it as stable within their hutch as possible. By using the hutch covers to trap in any warmth of the day and using the snugglesafes to help keep the temperature within the hutch from having too big a swing. I can keep inside the hutch 10-15 degrees. It didn’t get below 10/12 degrees at all last winter.

We inherited them in spring, so haven’t faced a winter yet.... will be getting snugglesafes soon, the wooden surround with an abundance of hay and the hutch cover keeps the temperature perfect through the night at the moment. Their cage, I think, is actually an ok size so I may just need to accept that it’s ok if they don’t get out much over the next few months! Thanks for your input!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Dont underestimate the amount of hutch covers needed - thermal and waterproof! Better to be prepared than be panicking in the middle of a winters night! Mine even in the shed (which is always a bit warmer than the outside air temp) has two/three blankets and a thermal hutch cover (I obviously don’t need waterproof!) along with an old duvet that I can be pulled over the front of all of it if necessary. I have a thermometer cable tied to the hutch door underneath all the blankets so I can keep an eye on the general hutch temp.

 

[Jlo-888]

Dont underestimate the amount of hutch covers needed - thermal and waterproof! Better to be prepared than be panicking in the middle of a winters night! Mine even in the shed (which is always a bit warmer than the outside air temp) has two/three blankets and a thermal hutch cover (I obviously don’t need waterproof!) along with an old duvet that I can be pulled over the front of all of it if necessary. I have a thermometer cable tied to the hutch door underneath all the blankets so I can keep an eye on the general hutch temp.

Thank you, will keep that in mind! I’ve also got an old duvet and rug which will be used when needed, will be sure to keep some ventilation flowing though!