Piggies and Sunshine

[Gianetta]

Now that summer's over I'm wondering whether to put my piggy's hutch in the shed where my rabbits live. She has a cage in the house for when it's really cold, but I thought before we get to that stage she'd be better in the hut as protection against the rain and damp (better for me, too!). Trouble is, the hut is in a shady part of the garden. It has a window, and anyway the door is open during the day with the rabbits' run attached, but inside it doesn't get much sun at this time of year. So my question is: do guinea pigs need sunshine?

 

[SpinningNickel]

I THINK as a rule they do as they need vitamin D. However, it is my understanding that most good-quality dry food (nuggets) are fortified with vitamin D as well and pigs can therefore get it that way. So in other words, a few months without sunshine shouldn't hurt as long as she's getting that vitamin D another way (good quality food).

If they do need regular sunshine then mine are being horribly neglected in this wet Yorkshire summer.......

 

[Dh1971]

Mine are indoor pigs, and as I work all day, unless it's going to be a scorcher and is dry on the grass by 7.30, I'm afraid mine don't go out at all, until I get back at night if it's still nice for a while. During school holidays when I am home all day it's anoth matter and and they are out loads providing its dry.
So if they do need sunshine, mine a I trouble too.

 

[Claire W]

It isn't sunshine they need, it's natural light so as long as the room / shed where the piggies live has windows, they should be fine