Putting piggies in outside runs over winter

[catherine]

Now - I had always believed that putting piggies into outside runs whether that be grass or concrete was a massive no-no in the winter months because they are low slung and have no fur on their feet and would get very cold.

Due to this, and due to the fact from this summer my three piggies will be moving outside, I am getting them a custom built 8 x 3ft hutch to compensate for the fact they cannot go out into a run.

However, on another forum I've been slightly ridiculed for thinking that you shouldn't put piggies out in winter by another user saying that she puts her three pigs out all year round and they are fine :{

This won't make any difference to the size hutch I get, but do those of you that have outdoor pigs agree? My gut feeling is telling me I am right but I suppose if I am wrong and they can go out for a few hours a day in the dry, then it would be good for them to get a change of scenery.

 

[sharonS]

I wouldn't personally,then again my guineas only go outside in the summer in their runs and are supervised too. The ground is cold and damp and guineas do not cope with draughts or damp very well. Guinea pigs do not have winter coats too, unlike rabbits.

 

[catherine]

No I agree - I'm worrying enough about them being outside even in a fully insulated draught free large hutch. If I can run electricity supply out I will put a heater in, it just seems wrong to take piggies from a heated insulated hutch with copious amounts of warm bedding etc and put them in a run on the cold concrete/grass floor.

I'll stick to keeping them inside their hutch over winter I think rolleyes

 

[catherine]

Does anyone else have any experience with this?

 

[BossHogg]

Mine love being out in the winter. As long as it's dry, I put their steps down and they come and go as they please. My grass is longer than usual with it being winter, the piggies are usually head down munching for England!