Outdoor set up for 4 piggies?

[CPHill]

Hi. My piggies currently lead a very spoilt life inside but now the weathers getting nicer I'd like to move them outside for the summer. The problem I have is finding housing big enough for 4 with enough inside space should the weather be rainy and a bit of outdoor space for them to use when they're not in their run, or could attach their run to it.

Does anyone have any suggestions please as I'm struggling! :-)

 

[zombieprincess]

What size accom are they in indoors? Just so we know what size house they are used to. I'd say at most basic a 6-7 ft hutch but they are generally only going to be 2ft wide. Or what would probably be cheep, offer more space, but would need a little adjusting would be a 6x4 shed, with a pipe or hatch leading to a big run.

 

[CPHill]

Thanks for the reply. They are in a c&c cage at the moment which is 2ft 3 inches wide x just over 6 ft with a 2nd storey which is 2ft 3" x 2 ft 4".

I felt that the basic 6ft hutch wouldn't give them enough space and quite a lot is lost due to the ramp if its a double storey. Do you think a shed would get too hot in the summer?

 

[zombieprincess]

Mine live in a shed, which is insulated with a layer of polystyrene and then board on top. It is also located in the shade and in the summer it is significantly cooler than the outside. I also have a mesh screen on the window and a secondary mesh screen door so it can be left open at all times. Lino tiles on the floor stay cool too. Unfortunately mine doesn't have attached run as it hoses 3 separate groups of piggies, but if the run was attached it could be in a position where it got some sunshine so if the piggies wanted to catch some rays they could.

Setting up a shed takes some time and work, but i think it is the optimum way for them to live if they are outdoors.

 

[CPHill]

What bedding do you use? Mine are currently on fleece inside.

 

[zombieprincess]

The pairs that are in built in hutches have fleece in the "bedroom" areas, and I rotate either using fleece or paper and hay in the "living room" sections, I am about to move the group onto the floor so will experiment, but I suspect I will favour a megazorb\hemcore type bedding with hay ontop as it will be less intensive cleaning down on the floor for me and more of a case of sweeping it out ( I have bad back & sciatica to can't spend to much time faffing on the floor in a confined space )