Too chilly at night ?

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luvleeju

luvleeju

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My guinea pigs are enjoying being outside during the day loving all the gorgous sunny weather. What i'm wanting to know do you think they will be fine left out all night in their outdoor hutch now.
All winter they have lived in our conservatory recently the heating has been off.
Dumpling is over his illness and appears fit and well.
I intend to put there cosies in the hutch for night time. What does everyone think?:{
 
Personally, I wouldn't until atleast the end of april/may. It is still chilly on a morning for us humans and yesterday we did have frost and ice. Do you have any snugglesafe heatpads? I'd recommend these for on a night time when the weather drops, they can be found on Vetuk at £12 and anything else snuggly and warm for them, cosies and hay. I have indoor cages so I don't but I'm sure someone else will be along soon to help. xx
 
I wouldn't leave mine out at night. We're still getting ground frost here and the air temps are very chilly. Mind you, mine are indoor piggies. I guess if you have outdoor piggies then as long as they have plenty of warm bedding, along with one of the heat pads already mentioned, and a good protective hutch cover they should be ok.
My goodness we do fret over our piggies. Quite rightly so! :)
 
At the moment I am carrying my 32 piggies out in thr day and back in at night ,at least it is keeping me slim!
 
I'm glad you've asked this question as I'm sure other members will be thinking about what is the best time of year to house Piggies outside if they are wanting to over the summer.

Its a big problem for pigs - the heat variation of spring time.
We are having 20 degree c heat during the day at the minute, and it's dropping down to zero in the night.

Ideally pigs should been kept within a 10 degree temperature difference for their health.

Spring really is the time that indoor pigs have time outside during the day whilst its warm and dry (check the ground for dampness, cold as this can in itself lead to urinary infections)
And as we feel the chill so will the pig, so for at least until the end of April/May they need to be back inside of a night.
Night time temp stabilize June - September.

Also please be careful of letting them eat too much spring grass in one go as it is very rich and can cause bloat. Handpicked grass can be given now to accustomise their little greedy stomachs
 
Thankyou i will carry on bringing them in at night time for atleast another month.
:)
 
christine said:
At the moment I am carrying my 32 piggies out in thr day and back in at night ,at least it is keeping me slim!
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Gosh how long does that take you especially if they dont want to be taken back to bed lol
 
My piggies spend all day running wild in their garden pen before retiring to their shed. If it's too cold, I put their heater on. ;)
 
too chilly at ight

luvleeju said:
Thankyou i will carry on bringing them in at night time for atleast another month.
:)
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Actually the piggies have quickly become used to being lifted into boxes and carried out ,just the young ones who are still abit skittish. It is interesting to note that the older piggies who have been in the outside accomodation every year have not forgotten the way into and out of the shed and the various ways of getting around the grass area. The younger ones are learning quickly by following the others around. It is fascinating to watch their behaviour as a herd.
 
Too chilly at night

christine said:
Actually the piggies have quickly become used to being lifted into boxes and carried out ,just the young ones who are still abit skittish. It is interesting to note that the older piggies who have been in the outside accomodation every year have not forgotten the way into and out of the shed and the various ways of getting around the grass area. The younger ones are learning quickly by following the others around. It is fascinating to watch their behaviour as a herd.
Click to expand...

I forgot to mention that the piggies are in a bird aviary which is attached to the shed so catproof,though we havent seen cats around recently,however better safe than sorry!
 
Mine are out 24/7 but have been all winter, so they are used to the elements. Their hutches still have the insulation on, I just took the perspex off the doors on Tuesday as it has been so warm in the day.

Not put any of the indoor ones out 24/7 as yet, the nights are just too cold as yet. Come on stable temperatures!
 
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