Outside pigs?

[SaffronC17]

I'm adopting some Guinea pigs in a few days, if I buy a hutch and weather proof cover for them can I put them straight outside? They're 2 months old and have been living in an out building so it's not particularly warm for them at the moment but not as cold as the actual outside.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Guinea pigs shouldn't be put outside at this time of year especially with the current forecasts and low temperatures. The drop in temperature is too much for them and you would be much better placed waiting for spring when the frosts have finished and the temperatures both day and night are warmer. This way you are putting much less risks on the piggies health

 

[Wiebke]

Guinea pigs shouldn't be put outside at this time of year especially with the current forecasts and low temperatures. The drop in temperature is too much for them and you would be much better placed waiting for spring when the frosts have finished and the temperatures both day and night are warmer. This way you are putting much less risks on the piggies health

I'm adopting some Guinea pigs in a few days, if I buy a hutch and weather proof cover for them can I put them straight outside? They're 2 months old and have been living in an out building so it's not particularly warm for them at the moment but not as cold as the actual outside.

Please treat any new piggies like tender plants when it comes to the outdoors.

It would also be good if you please made sure that you can protect them adequately from weather extremes like we are increasingly experiencing - heat, more and strongers storms, more heavy rain and cold snaps.
Hutches in hot weather are death traps, and so can be a lawn even in the shade as heated air can still be blown on them.
Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike
Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs

Make sure that you have got emergency housing indoors.
Also make sure that your hutch is large and sturdy enough for your piggies (most pet shop hutches aren't with very thin backs) and that your hutch is appropriately insulated. Just a tarmac is not enough.

If you are getting piggies for your children please keep in mind that it will be you who has to trudge out in the cold and rain to feed and clean regularly once your children have inevitably lost interest. Guinea pigs are not low maintenance pets and have an average life span of 5-7 years.
Children And Guinea Pigs - A Guide For Parents

Please also consider adopting from a good standard rescue rather than getting pet shop babies, so you can neatly avoid all the usual pitfalls that await the unwary. Adopting stably bonded larger and calmer piggies that are used to (supervised) handling rather than skittish and wiggly babies has got advantages!
Boars, sows or mixed pairs; babies or adults?
New guinea pigs: Sexing, vet checks&customer rights, URI, ringworm and parasites
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs

 

[artcasper]

Guinea pigs shouldn't be put outside at this time of year especially with the current forecasts and low temperatures. The drop in temperature is too much for them and you would be much better placed waiting for spring when the frosts have finished and the temperatures both day and night are warmer. This way you are putting much less risks on the piggies health

I saw some pigs on a popular Facebook page yesterday out having grass time.. it was bloody freezing!

 

[Lady Kelly]

I saw some pigs on a popular Facebook page yesterday out having grass time.. it was bloody freezing!

Oh gosh mine don't go on the floor at all once it starts getting colder (usually around October) and won't be out in their run until April at the earliest dependent on the weather and temperature at that point. I would like to have them not outdoors at all when the weather's like this but I do take lots of steps to keep them as warm as possible

 

[artcasper]

Oh gosh mine don't go on the floor at all once it starts getting colder (usually around October) and won't be out in their run until April at the earliest dependent on the weather and temperature at that point. I would like to have them not outdoors at all when the weather's like this but I do take lots of steps to keep them as warm as possible

I did comment and say it's only 8 degrees isnt it a bit cold and was told they can go back in when they want to....
My theory is..if I feel cold, then they do too!