Sleeping Outside In The Run?

[SallyG]

Hey everyone,

We've had pigs for 6 years, and they've always lived inside but have a run outside that they go in on pleasant days. The room they sleep in (in the house) has been boiling this week (south facing) so we've left them outside in the run over night for the past 2 nights, they have a cat carrier (with a fleece blanket in) an igloo and a big tunnel. And I also put a blanket over the top of the run (this was mainly for during the day to provide shade).

Is this ok as a temporary thing?

 

[eileen]

i would be wary of leaving piggies out in a run overnight.the grass can get damp from mildew,my other concern would be predators you are not always aware of a night.i always bring mine into a hutch or cage thats not on the ground.it is difficult when it is hot,have you thought of using a fan,or maybe raising the run so it is more secure.i would hate your piggies to come to harm from cats/dogs/foxes/birds whilst you are asleep.weather can change at night.

 

[Mother Hubbard]

I have to agree with Eileen, is their anyway you could secure the top of the run? Fix some metal cage parts perhaps, it's the predator thing that concerns me, and yes their can be some damp during the night. If you brought them in and put a fan on in their room, does it cool down?

 

[SallyG]

Thanks for your advice. They have a big C&C inside but seem to love being outside. I'm just looking at hutches now. There's a 4' hutch (raised up high off the ground), brand new for sale for £35. Maybe I could leave them out in the run until we go to bed and then put them away in a hutch for the night? Do you think a 4' hutch would be ok for 3 ladies?
I think my plan is to have them outside under the weather turns in autumn/winter and then bring them back inside again.
I could easily secure the run, maybe use tent pegs to secure it to the ground and as you said fix some parts to the top to stop it being opened by predators.