over wintering outside

[kelspiggies]

my 2 sows will be over wintered outside. I'm looking for anyones ideas on keeping them snuggled and safe. we would bring them in but for 2 reasons we really dont want to.
1. space for them, they are used to nearly 28 sq ft for the 2 of them, even in their 12sqft run they bicker when they get too close.
2. we dont really have anywhere we could put a very large indoor cage.

we have no garage or shed to put their hutches into.

their hutch is 2 separate 7ftx2ft hutches joined together, 1 bed area which is 3ftx2ft. we are mainly looking to insulate 1 hutch with the bed area and leave the other as it is. they already have separate sleeping boxes in there which they use, which are filled with woodshavings on the bottom and hay to fill it. the bed area in total has a thick layer of shavings, then more hay on top. we have draft proofed the door so no breezes blow in there. we have 2 snugglesafe heat pads on order too, we will put these each under the hay in front of each box as the girls like to sleep just in front of their boxes sometimes.

we need to think of some way to enclose the bed area in height though, as the hutch is 2ft tall, its a big space to warm up. if we can somehow put a 'false ceiling' in we can then fill the top up with screwed up newspaper or something to hold in more heat.

we also need to think of something to drape over the hutch aswell, i think so anyway. we have a large offcut of lino, we can get offcuts of carpet, we just arent totally sure what would insulate best.

 

[Shaz]

My pig's live inside but other forum members have spoken about putting duvets over their hutches and then covered with some tarpaulin I believe.

When I had girls outside (some years ago) in their enclosed little area where they slept was packed with hay ceiling to floor to ensure they were nice and cosy.

I know you don't want to but I'd have something on standby just in case you're worried that they do get too cold and you have to bring them in for a couple of nights.

 

[Rhiannan]

Could you add in some fleece cosies/tunnels in the main area for them to snuggle in during the day so that they aren't in their bed all the time? That might keep them a bit warmer.

 

[JoBo]

Could you add in some fleece cosies/tunnels in the main area for them to snuggle in during the day so that they aren't in their bed all the time? That might keep them a bit warmer.

I have a herd of outdoor pigs that live free range in a purpose built shed, they are bedded on newspaper and ridiculous amounts of hay. I would definately not recommend cosies and fleece for outdoor as they will become damp and freeze in the cold weather and will have the opposite effect to what you are trying to acheive xx

 

[liquorice allsorts]

if you decide to put a false ceiling in, polystyrene sheets are very warm, obviously no where the piggies could chew it though, so inbetween two layers of wood.

 

[Rhiannan]

I have a herd of outdoor pigs that live free range in a purpose built shed, they are bedded on newspaper and ridiculous amounts of hay. I would definately not recommend cosies and fleece for outdoor as they will become damp and freeze in the cold weather and will have the opposite effect to what you are trying to acheive xx

Ahh I see, thanks for correcting me. Only have my piggie indoors so didn't realise that that would happen outside :red

 

[kelspiggies]

thanks for the replies so far, much appreciated. they do have deep layers of shavings throughout the whole set-up, and they have cardboard tubes they enjoy sitting in and playing in so the main areas i feel will be ok with something over them to keep the wind out.

i like the idea of making a wood and polystyrene sandwich as a false ceiling in the bedroom, will start planning

 

[Gemma McD]

I have a herd of outdoor pigs that live free range in a purpose built shed, they are bedded on newspaper and ridiculous amounts of hay. I would definately not recommend cosies and fleece for outdoor as they will become damp and freeze in the cold weather and will have the opposite effect to what you are trying to acheive xx

I assume this issue applies to fleece bedding too? Have just changed mine over from sawdust to fleece, which they love, but will have to rethink it then for frosty winter nights.