This maybe a silly question...

[Patterjack&Piggles]

Noswaith da pawb!

This may be a silly question, but I have to ask you lovely, knowledgeable people to be completely sure...
Can piggies walk on chippings?
I have invested in a new, large outdoor run, along with a sun/wind/rain breaker to fit, and insulated pigloos for my guys to get more outdoor time, as Welsh weather isn't the most compliant! To make it more all-weather, I was contemplating putting in on a hard free-draining surface we have in the garden, which happens to be chippings, but obviously I won't do this if it's going to cause major issues.

Diolch yn fawr (thank you very much) in advance!

 

[Reenie]

If you mean stone chips, that would be sore on their feet to be on a lot. You could put something soft over the chips though, like a cage liner, but obviously you could only use it in good weather.

 

[Patterjack&Piggles]

If you mean stone chips, that would be sore on their feet to be on a lot. You could put something soft over the chips though, like a cage liner, but obviously you could only use it in good weather.

It is stone chippings. I was wondering about placing hardwood chips (the sort used for chickens, reptiles etc) down instead if the stone was a no. Do you know if that'd be ok?

 

[Claire W]

Have you looked at easibed? It’s a small wooden chip for horses but some people use it for guinea pigs

 

[Patterjack&Piggles]

Have you looked at easibed? It’s a small wooden chip for horses but some people use it for guinea pigs

I don't think that would hold up to being a base left outside in the rain?

 

[Siikibam]

Are they going to be in the run when it’s raining? Thats not a good idea. If raining they need to be in their cage or hutch.

You could put down a fleece or cover of some sort for them to be on, instead of the stone chipping.

If you have grass, you can introduce them slowly to it before putting them on it for lengthy periods.

 

[Patterjack&Piggles]

Are they going to be in the run when it’s raining? Thats not a good idea. If raining they need to be in their cage or hutch.

You could put down a fleece or cover of some sort for them to be on, instead of the stone chipping.

If you have grass, you can introduce them slowly to it before putting them on it for lengthy periods.

There is a roof on the run, and a solid sheltered end; kind of like a hutch without the floor basically. It's just the odd blow in of rain I'm concerned about turning any bedding type floor into a soggy mush. It's sounds like a winter plan, but our Welsh summers are the same thing

 

[Dill&Pepper]

I suspect bark chippings are toxic, but what about the thick rubber matting you can use to line horse’s stables? Not as free-draining but definitely weatherproof. Don’t know if it’s piggie-safe though.

 

[Patterjack&Piggles]

At the moment they are on the lawn. I guess I'll leave it at that for now, and have a rethink for another option when the lawn is a bog. Thanks for taking the time to reply guys x

 

[Siikibam]

I wouldn’t have them out even if just spitting. They don’t do well with cold which could happen if the ground/whatever they’re on gets damp.

 

[VickiA]

Piggies and damp conditions don’t really go well together. They are so low to the ground they get cold and wet very quickly and don’t dry off very easily. It’s better to given them run time inside and a handful of grass if the weather isn’t good enough for proper lawn time.
As for bark chippings and stone chippings both are a no from me. We’ve recently rescued a group of piggies living in an outdoor enclosure on bark chippings. They were filthy and their feet were all very sore and rough.