what to do?

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jenniferanneharris

jenniferanneharris

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My piggys live outdoors, but a few weeks back my hutch was leaking etc so i have got rid of it and brough the girls indoors in my spare indoor cage.

my only dilemma is now they have there nice new big double hutch and it will be ready for them to go in hopefully tommorow once i have bought the lino to line the hutch floor...
But am now worried about the winter.

I had them inside last year ( but in my small cage ... and they seemed quite bored)
Is it too cold to put them outside again now after 2 or 3 weeks inside?

I have no room really to keep them indoors long term and the indoor cage i have now is too small for the 3 of them to live all winter again really ( and the only space i have for them is on top of the box room bed that is used when grandma come to stay)

If it was my house i would just bring them inside in a bigger cage and make space, but its my parents house (I'm 22) and they wouldnt really like them inside all winter unless really nesessary.

My question is... is it ok to put them back outside now?
and also what action can i take to keep my piggys from getting cold. I am gonna get them a duvet and a tarp to put over the hutch.. and lots of hay... am also thinking of getting those microwave heat pads for them.

and if its not ok.. what can i do about making the most of the little space i have indoors?

will they be ok? I'm panicing now.
 
Hi ...... now don't panick :)
Great idea to invest in a better cage for them, well done!
Many of our members who've got their piggies outside use heavy covers to protect them from the wind, rain and cold. If you have a little look around (do a search) you'll find some great ideas. What you're already going to do is great.
You might like to get some of the nice cosies or tunnels too.
I'm sure tho that some of our lovely members will give you some more ideas soon.
Post some pigtures when you've got them setup in their new house x)
 
Thanks, have bought loads of new tunnels and made cozies and bought new fleece, but have now read on another post fleece isnt recomended for outside use as it freezes. :...

Have just been getting myself in a pickle. I just want whats best for them. I adore there new hutch and think they will, am just worried now that its too cold for them to go out now?

time to dee stress i think... heavy breathing *possitive thoughts* lol. Sorry i stress about these things... rolleyes:red
 
Maybe you could do a combo.......have some fleecy areas and then an area where they can bury themselves in hay or snuggle in a cosie :)

and yes.........deep breathes.......... and go cuddle one of your babies and tell them how much their mummy is trying to care for them :)
 
lol thanks and sorry for the freak out :P
I am just looking up snugglesafe heat pads atm will buy 2 so i can alternate throughout the day and use them in the colder weather.

Thanks and sorry again :red
 
Thank You :)
oh and dont worry, my camera is all charged up hehe :)). Just need to buy that lino tomorrow and they will be all set to go in there new home :)
 
Hi

I think your piggies would be fine to go back outside. Mine two boys live outside and I have had guinea pigs outside most of the year round.

At the moment it isn't that cold at night so I just make sure they have plenty of hay in their hutch and I have a thick piece of carpet that goes over the hutch but underneath the waterproof hutch cover (hope that makes sense).

Its draughts and damp that are the main concern rather than the cold so as long as they hutch is well covered they will be fine.

HTH

x
 
Thanks ever so much guys. I'm much more at ease now. :) thanks for the advice. :). I'm sure my girls ( and I know I have) appriciate it. :)
 
I have a particularly cold bedroom (i know its not the same) all your winter proofing precautions sound great, but my boys LOVE a triangle cosey, because it has sides, and is lovely and padded so they can stretch out. :) These, i find, are best for the cold.

P.s, surely they would only freeze if they got wet :S
 
Hi,

your fleeces shouldn't freeze if the hutch is insulated and guarded from wind and rain:)

Try stapling on some foil bubblewrap onto the back and sides of the hutch and then cover with a hutch cover to stop draughts and rain.

Plenty of hay and an upturned box in the bed area will keep it cosy also a snugglesafe under the fleece in the bed area.
 
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