When to put them back outside?

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Gordy

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Can't see another thread on the subject - but when do most people put their pigs back outside that have come in for winter? Their outside quarters is a converted, insulated playhouse (posted pics on here in the past) but don't want to shock them.

Was thinking end of April but could they go sooner? I want my bedroom back! :))
 
Gordy said:
Can't see another thread on the subject - but when do most people put their pigs back outside that have come in for winter? Their outside quarters is a converted, insulated playhouse (posted pics on here in the past) but don't want to shock them.

Was thinking end of April but could they go sooner? I want my bedroom back! :))
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I have 2 piggies indoors at the moment & they'll be going out when the night temp stops dropping really low to join the other piggies in the shed :)
 
I think someone mentioned a temp no lower than 10 degrees? Also make sure you keep well covered - wind and rain can be as hard for guineas as sun and ice. x
 
I was wondering the same thing, at the moment my herd is indoors but they have a lovely custom built shed outside just waiting for them to go and play in. Next year I was thinking of heating the shed so that they could be out all year does anyone else do that and what method of heating do you use?
 
I have an oil filled radiator with a thermostat, think this is the safest heating to use and def. nothing with an element that could get a bit of hay in it and set light, was a horrible case last year of this.

It's the difference in day/night time temps at the moment - a min / max thermometer is great as it will give you visibility of what happens, when the difference gets less marked then it's safer to put them out.

Sophie
x
 
Well I was told by an old man concerning gardening, don't leave out delicate plants at night until the end of May, you can get bad night frosts until then :)

But if they are well protected at night, with hutch covers with plenty of hay maybe earlier. I think I'd just do day time at first, but I have no outside piggies so just guessing at what I would personally be happy with :)
 
Ange17 said:
I think I'd just do day time at first, but I have no outside piggies so just guessing at what I would personally be happy with :)
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That seems like a good idea to me! I am going to get the shed cleared and sorted and start putting the girls (and boy) out during the day so they have loads of freedom while getting used to the temp too. Taking a trip to B&Q to price up boards and insulation and going to ask my FIL if he will wire up the shed so that we can get it heated.
 
mine usually go out mid-end April...but these 3 have not been outside here before as they are newish to me!

09-09-07_1931.jpg


this is outside but it is tidier than this photo,but I'm unsure what to do as I've not got my hen any more who was the 'watch dog' for the rabbits and guinea pigs,clucking if there was a cat in the next garden.The other problem is I've now got 2 dwarf rabbits that can easily get into the guinea pig hutch (not good) So I may need to make a enclose run area!
 
That looks fabulous! Lots and lots of space fro grazing and running about!
 
I'm interested in know this answer too, my boys live indoors all year round but they have a hutch outside and a run on the grass and i would also like to know when is the best time for them to go back out? Mine only go out for a few hours in the hutch or on the grass and then they spend the night indoors as i couldn't bear keeping them outside all the time. rolleyes

:))
 
I read somewhere "would you be happy with the temperature yourself?" and try and work on that basis. My girls are happy indoors but as soon as the sun is out the temperature rises from 12 degrees c, they are usually happy to munch their way through the lawn, except for when the neighbours kids are out in their garden playing loudly! Plus they always let me know if they are happy or not.....popcorning = happiness.
 
lil said:
I read somewhere "would you be happy with the temperature yourself?" and try and work on that basis. My girls are happy indoors but as soon as the sun is out the temperature rises from 12 degrees c, they are usually happy to munch their way through the lawn, except for when the neighbours kids are out in their garden playing loudly! Plus they always let me know if they are happy or not.....popcorning = happiness.
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Mine popcorn loads when they go out onto the grass! I cant wait till its warmer so i can see their reaction. :))
 
Mine have been going out during the day for the past week or so, I have been putting the base of their indoor cage in the outdoor run, so they can jump in there and snuggle uinder the fleece if they need to. This has only been on the dry days. They have been delighted to get out
 
I think I will hold of for longer then. Been planning and scheming tonight and I think I might start trying to persuade my OH to convert our upstairs linen cupboard into a giant guinea paradise! That will mean our home is no longer filled with cages and the pigs can stay indoors and happy till they are truly ready to go out.
 
Mine are still in their shed with their heat emitter. ITs too cold for them right now. I always think if I dont have to wear a jacket then they are ready to go outside. Still need a jacket right now. :)
 
I so want to put my piggies outside so that I no longer have such a stinky hall! Much as I love my babies they are a bit wiffy! Still need to get their shed cleaned out and aired and then I am going to put them out for a few hours a day with a view to them being out full time by the start of may. Thinking long term I am going to refurbish the cupboard upstairs so they they have a multilayered home meaning the whole herd can be in together (provided they use the ramps) .It will be so exciting because doing that will allow me to take on another two foster pigs as well as freeing up two cages to give to a rescue for their use!
 
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