Little Piggles
Senior Guinea Pig
Okay, okay, so I know it's only May and I know we're only just getting used to the sunshine, but I'm planning ahead! 
Last Winter our hutch was in the shed and insulated (on the outside) with that silver bubble-wrap stuff, blankets and a hutch cover. It was, of course, far too cold to leave them out in all the snow so they moved indoors.
I need your thoughts on some insulation ideas for when it gets chilly this year (apart from bringing them indoors again - If we have more snow I fear they may have to move to my mum's over the Winter as I just don't have space to bring them in as a group now we have an extra girl)
Okay, so my plans....
Inside the hutch
Silver bubble wrap insulation covered by correx. The correx feels pretty warm to the touch (compared to bare wood) and the wrap should keep additional heat in too.
I am a little worried about them eating the correx if they can though and also about what to stick it together with. When they were inside, I used duck tape, but this was on the OUTSIDE of the correx ans I think I'll struggle to tape the wrong side and fit it inside the hutch...
Outside the hutch
Additional insulation, possible loft insulation if I can get it so it's safe, I'm sure I saw some last Winter that has a plastic covering so this may work as I don't want the fibres anywhere near the pigs. A tarp should keep them nice and dry, as the new hutch I have my eye on is a bit of a funny shape so I don't think I'll be able to get a proper cover for it.
Windows
I'm thinking of somehow making perspex 'windows'. These will need to be removable as I don't want them stuck inside a hothouse either. They will be vented, probably with little holes along the upper edge, to allow air to circulate but prevent draughts.
They'll have heat pads again and lots and lots of hay too plus Vetbed and fleecy beds to snooze in
I'm just after your thoughts really, on if any of this won't work or if I've missed anything 'structurely' (sp?)
Last Winter our hutch was in the shed and insulated (on the outside) with that silver bubble-wrap stuff, blankets and a hutch cover. It was, of course, far too cold to leave them out in all the snow so they moved indoors.
I need your thoughts on some insulation ideas for when it gets chilly this year (apart from bringing them indoors again - If we have more snow I fear they may have to move to my mum's over the Winter as I just don't have space to bring them in as a group now we have an extra girl)
Okay, so my plans....
Inside the hutch
Silver bubble wrap insulation covered by correx. The correx feels pretty warm to the touch (compared to bare wood) and the wrap should keep additional heat in too.
I am a little worried about them eating the correx if they can though and also about what to stick it together with. When they were inside, I used duck tape, but this was on the OUTSIDE of the correx ans I think I'll struggle to tape the wrong side and fit it inside the hutch...
Outside the hutch
Additional insulation, possible loft insulation if I can get it so it's safe, I'm sure I saw some last Winter that has a plastic covering so this may work as I don't want the fibres anywhere near the pigs. A tarp should keep them nice and dry, as the new hutch I have my eye on is a bit of a funny shape so I don't think I'll be able to get a proper cover for it.
Windows
I'm thinking of somehow making perspex 'windows'. These will need to be removable as I don't want them stuck inside a hothouse either. They will be vented, probably with little holes along the upper edge, to allow air to circulate but prevent draughts.
They'll have heat pads again and lots and lots of hay too plus Vetbed and fleecy beds to snooze in
I'm just after your thoughts really, on if any of this won't work or if I've missed anything 'structurely' (sp?)
I wish we had warm weather all year though!