Weather Proofing Hutch

[Hobie]

Hi I have been weather proofing my hutch in preperation for winter and following various advice I have bubble wrapped the back and sides of the hutch and covered this with a foil blanket (from amazon) and then covered with a waterproof hutch cover. The sleeping quarters has a paperlitter flooring covered with lots of hay, two shoeboxes with a door cut out out filled with hay and then lots of hay coverering the boxes. I am wondering if anyone has any further advice as open to all ideas to keep them warm this winter. Am wondering how to fit a curtain to the doorway into the sleeping area as wont they just pull it down? And nervous of using anything sharp like staples in the hutch. but want to reduce draughts. Have ordered lots of snuggle things from Ziggys which will hopefully come soon. Is lining the hutch floor with newspaper a good idea? Is it safe if they eat it? Its so hard to get the balance right between warmth and ventilation. Wood welcome any ideas to keep them warm as I dont have a shed and cant bring them in as dont have the room.

 

[DM030819]

How about screwing picture hooks into the wall of the hutch in the doorway of the sleeping bit and then having the wire thingy like you have if you hang a net blind at your window.

If you're good at sewing (I'm not) you could create a curtain for it. Or drape something over it.

If they're a bit wary of going through it you could try using a bit of fleece which is cut into strips like people hang in their cages. They could walk through those easily.

 

[Hobie]

Thanks for your reply. Picture hooks is a good idea. I'll have to get creative

 

[eileen]

I have some of mine outside.i use snuggleheat pads,wooden house as they do not cause condensation like,plastic igloos.i have used fleece items,but be careful when it gets cold,because i found they became damp.Newspaper is very good,and cardbord bedding is good at keeping warmth,vetbed is also good in winter.cosy cavies do cozies that you can place the heat pads at the back,which i have four,each sleeps upto 3 piggies/large size.essentially you are doing all that you can,place as much hay in sleeping area as possible and change daily.i use a fold up puppy pen in shed for daily floor time,even had one group inside for winter months..In non heated bedroom,so can fold up when they go back into hutches,I'm still considering removing single bed and getting another 6x2 c and c cage and having a piggie room,then all can be inside !get fold up bed for guests.

 

[helenv87]

I have the same problem as you,my Guinea pigs aren't outside,I can't put them in a shed and I can't bring them in
One thing I've startes doing is putting loosly screwed up balls on newspaper in the sleeping compartment with the hay,I thought even if they are all the hay there would still be something for them to "snuggle" into, I dunno how much it helps though lol

I'm going to buy a little thermometer so I can monitor how cold the hutch gets,I'm hoping it doesn't get too cold

 

[Hobie]

Thanks for the advice. A fold up puppy pen is a great idea for floor time. I have cut up an old fleece today for going in their bed area but am worried that once they wee on it it will be cold. Will definitely have to check it doesn't feel damp. It would be easier to keep the bedding warm if they didnt wee in bed lol. Ive put up a fleece curtain on the opening to sleep area so hopefully they are cosier. Hutch is wooden but with plastic floor so I think newspaper will be good to line the floor. Will have to keep an eye out for dampness. All advice and ideas gratefully received - thanks.

 

[Swissgreys]

I think a curtain across the sleeping area door is a great idea.
Could you get some thick fleece and cut it into strips (think about he plastic curtains on industrial cool rooms) and then hot glue a velcro strip above the doorway and attach the fleece curtain to that?

 

[MoodyPaws]

I'm learning how to insulate my hutch too. So far I've stuck cardboard to inside of hutch roof using velcro. Lined the floors with puppy pads, then sawdust, then straw. In sleeping area I have snuggle safe heat pad wrapped in a puppy pad then hay floor to ceiling, plus a igloo fleece style bed. I have a hutch cover to stop wind and rain getting in. I'm still trying to dream up some more ideas. I might be able to squeeze bubble wrap to outside of hutch between hutch and cover but might be fiddly to do. I also like the look of those dried grass houses in p@h, thinking one of those in bed area surrounded with hay, snuggle pad underneath might be good idea. Let me know if you have any good tips.

 

[Jojessgaz]

Can anyone advise what's best to insulate the outside of the hutch... I'm very new at all this and in constant panic mode now n it's not even winter yet. I have a hutch cover over the hutch which then has a plastic greenhouse over the hutch which gives them about 6° extra warmth ... have a thermometer in hutch and in greenhouse cover for comparison. At nite I cover the front bar's ..double hutch with a cosy blanket as so much heat lost there.. keep tiny bit uncovered for ventilation
I want to but a layer inbetween the hutch and the cover...which would be best bubble wrap or the foil type heat sheets. Then at nite I was going to wrap a duvet and fleece over the hutch to stop drafts.... am I doing anything that's not good or any better thoughts would be much appreciated. Also just started using snuggle pads... but to be honest I think only 1 piggies uses the bed area at a time so ones upstairs n one down. Not a clue where they sleep!

 

[VickieD]

Hi
I was thinking of popping to asda tonight and getting a single smart price duvet to put under the hutch cover.
What do you all think to this?
Thanks Vickie

Ps it was cold this morning and I felt guilty

 

[Hobie]

I bought an asda duvet but it was so bulky I couldnt get the hutch cover over the top and the seams were coming apart on the ocover so have abandoned the duvet. Now am just using bubble wrap and foil blanket. Have fitted a fleece curtain over door to sleeping area which I hope is keeping draughts out. Always trying to think of more ideas to keep them warm tho. Not sure about a heat pad as isnt this unhygenic to put in the microwave once it has been in the hutch? The fleecy items from Ziggys have come and are great. My boys especially love the fleece cube as very snug. Will definitely be getting more. I have also cut off arms off an old fleece jacket of mine and using it as snuggly tunnels in their beds. They love them. Any one with any other ideas to warm the hutch please let me know. Am wondering about putting a blanket over the front at night under the cover? But worried about ventilation. Difficult to get the balance right