Piggies in outdoor playhouse - when to bring indoors

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abmo

abmo

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Hi guys :)p

This has been my piggies first year in their outdoor playhouse and I'm torn about if & when to bring them inside. They are enjoying the space & will have less room when indoors but will obviously be nice & warm.

We insulated it (floors, walls & ceiling) but obviously its never going to be as warm as inside.

Does anyone else have their piggies in a playhouse? Do you bring them inside or have they been OK outside? If you do bring them inside, when would you recommend doing it?

Any advise gratefully received as their happiness & wellbeing are my priority.

Thanks so much! :)
 
Mine are indoor piggies but if you're planning on bringing them in then I'd say don't wait much longer, it's really starting to turn cold now and you'll get to be with them a bit more once they're in now that the days are getting shorter. I'm sure someone with outdoor/indoor piggies will be along soon to advise you though. :)
 
If the playhouse is properly insulated, there should be no need to bring them in - my guineas will be out all winter as they are in heavily insulated hutches with headpads etc., when it is all done I will post photos.

You would need to consider however what bedding they are on, how much of it you can afford to add warmth, if you want to add more insulation etc, and if you are the kind of insane person who stands outside at 8pm with a head torch on cleaning out their hutches...oh wait, that would be me then...for me the whole 'oh you will get to be with them more' doesn't change if they are in or out, I happily spend all day outdoors with my pigs and horse in the freezing cold (the key is good socks) but not a lot of people are quite so, erm, stupid is probably the right word...

Also bear in mind once you bring a pig indoors, you can't just chuck it out on the lawn for a run - as it is the change in temperature that causes illnesses, not being cold. If a pig is used to a constant 20 degrees or so, and you think ah need to clean them out, out you go! and it's a bit chilly out, you are looking at UTI/URI possibilities.
 
If it is insulated it is really like a shed so I can't see why they can't stay in there.

What I would suggest is maybe putting a small, hutch inside the playhouse or one of these...... http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/rabbit_hutches/natura/33223 stuffed with hay and maybe a snugglesafe but open so they can climb in and out so it's like an extra warm bed for them at night, it's like a hutch in a shed really with extra running space:)
 
lily 74 said:
If it is insulated it is really like a shed so I can't see why they can't stay in there.

What I would suggest is maybe putting a small, hutch inside the playhouse or one of these...... http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/rabbit_hutches/natura/33223 stuffed with hay and maybe a snugglesafe but open so they can climb in and out so it's like an extra warm bed for them at night, it's like a hutch in a shed really with extra running space:)
Click to expand...

Really good idea Lily...btw was it you I was meant to send paper too?!

I accidently deleted all my PMS!
 
Doeylicious said:
If the playhouse is properly insulated, there should be no need to bring them in - my guineas will be out all winter as they are in heavily insulated hutches with headpads etc., when it is all done I will post photos.

You would need to consider however what bedding they are on, how much of it you can afford to add warmth, if you want to add more insulation etc, and if you are the kind of insane person who stands outside at 8pm with a head torch on cleaning out their hutches...oh wait, that would be me then...for me the whole 'oh you will get to be with them more' doesn't change if they are in or out, I happily spend all day outdoors with my pigs and horse in the freezing cold (the key is good socks) but not a lot of people are quite so, erm, stupid is probably the right word...

Also bear in mind once you bring a pig indoors, you can't just chuck it out on the lawn for a run - as it is the change in temperature that causes illnesses, not being cold. If a pig is used to a constant 20 degrees or so, and you think ah need to clean them out, out you go! and it's a bit chilly out, you are looking at UTI/URI possibilities.
Click to expand...

Ha ha - you sound like me! I think we insulated it quite well but it would be good to see what you have done to see if ours measures up!
 
lily 74 said:
If it is insulated it is really like a shed so I can't see why they can't stay in there.

What I would suggest is maybe putting a small, hutch inside the playhouse or one of these...... http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/rabbit_hutches/natura/33223 stuffed with hay and maybe a snugglesafe but open so they can climb in and out so it's like an extra warm bed for them at night, it's like a hutch in a shed really with extra running space:)
Click to expand...

Thats a really good idea. I already have a snugglesafe so I could just add one of these houses in & they can wander in & out as they please :))
 
Doeylicious said:
If the playhouse is properly insulated, there should be no need to bring them in - my guineas will be out all winter as they are in heavily insulated hutches with headpads etc., when it is all done I will post photos.

You would need to consider however what bedding they are on, how much of it you can afford to add warmth, if you want to add more insulation etc, and if you are the kind of insane person who stands outside at 8pm with a head torch on cleaning out their hutches...oh wait, that would be me then...for me the whole 'oh you will get to be with them more' doesn't change if they are in or out, I happily spend all day outdoors with my pigs and horse in the freezing cold (the key is good socks) but not a lot of people are quite so, erm, stupid is probably the right word...

Also bear in mind once you bring a pig indoors, you can't just chuck it out on the lawn for a run - as it is the change in temperature that causes illnesses, not being cold. If a pig is used to a constant 20 degrees or so, and you think ah need to clean them out, out you go! and it's a bit chilly out, you are looking at UTI/URI possibilities.
Click to expand...

Please oh please can we have a picture of you in your head torch and the "right socks"? rolleyes :))
 
Okay that was a bad idea...now I'm visualizing everyone in just head torch's and woolly socks when they go outside on a cold evening to clean the piggies....@) brrrr
 
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