which is best for winter

[Pepperdog]

As the autumn months draw nearer I have to decide what to do with my guys before it gets too cold, but I need some help from you all.

Do I buy a new shed and put it down the end of the garden in the gap behind the flats shed (belongs to the property and its not going to be moved or it will fall down) once I have cleared out the old cuttings from previous tenant and fill that dead space. If so what do I insulate it with for the winter?

If I home inside the shed I will get a single layer hutch and open the floor up to them as extra space - I have 4 pigs, using the roof for dry storage of hay and bedding etc (and providing another insulated layer). The hutch will be the whole length of the shed, I am thinking a 5' x 4' shed will fit so even if the hutch is 5 x 2 (as new ones seem really skinny), they still have the room beyond the hutch and space to run around.

or

Do I find room in the spare room, at the moment it looks like I have floor space of 3' x 4' which means I will have to go upwards, unless I forget the idea of having a spare double in there and put the bed on its side and have a bigger floor area.

If I move them inside I have the risk of the dog, which is a big issue for them as although I can close the door and put a stair gate infront I will still need to have an enclosed pen/cage for their safety. I would then have to line the floor as its carpeted and its a rented flat so I dont want to replace the carpet (will get correx and lino), but would they smell too much? The big advantage is of course they will be warm, and I can visit them after dark without the aid of a torch but is it worth the risk with my ex working lurcher lurking around, when they are safer in the garden and left alone from her.

I have to buy either thing, think the shed might be the more costly option, but finding a large enough inside cage for 4 pigs is near impossible as I think the ones on sale are just too small, some of the layered ones just have ramps but no floor space really so would have to adapt them to create space with false floors as I did with the hutch they are in now. C&C is an option but would need a few packs to make the pen and lid, although I might be able to use other things as well as I kind of think of good ideas and soultions to problems.

Anyway, sorry for waffling, any suggestions on outside shedding or inside penning would be great, thanks.

 

[Graceandowen]

I'm having the same dilemma at the moment hun, I would love to have my piggies inside, granted they wouldnt have as much room as they do outdoors but would be nice and cosy
The only issue is my dog he just cannot be trusted with them unsupervised and wouldnt want to risk anything happening to the piggies.

Mine went in the shed last year but I'm struggling this year as the new cage will not fit in our shed

 

[BossHogg]

I only had the one hutch last year, it was far too cold so I got a large internal cage. This year I've got 2 large hutches. So I've got a 10x8 wooden shed. I'm going to insulate it and make it nice and warm for them, as they're not coming indoors this year.

 

[Lolaa]

I'm not sure if this would help but could you not have a raised c&c?

I have Bentley & Morgan in my rabbits bedroom and for safety I have raised the cage 4ft off the ground, I dont know if this would be an option for you but it might help you out.

Check your local netto's store for cubes they are £11.99 at my local store x

 

[Pepperdog]

I dont have a netto store down this way, its b&q or nothing and they want £30/ packet (the last time I looked a few months back)

I am going to put it on a raised surface as I dont want it on the floor, just dont know on what yet.

I keep toying with the shed idea though as it would be easier than making space, but having had a chat with OH he agrees that we need to move the bed to accomodate them (if we have a guest we can always drag the matress into the front room ) So I think inside it will be - not discounting outside completely yet as keeping options open, OH also discussed asking landlord for half to replace old ramshackled shed for larger one and put in electric heater.

I originally thought of converting large dog crate into a two tier cage but its not wide or long enough for the 4 of them. Is there any large ready made cages out there for 4 piggies that anyone can suggest?

 

[Lolaa]

I dont have a netto store down this way, its b&q or nothing and they want £30/ packet (the last time I looked a few months back)

I am going to put it on a raised surface as I dont want it on the floor, just dont know on what yet.

I keep toying with the shed idea though as it would be easier than making space, but having had a chat with OH he agrees that we need to move the bed to accomodate them (if we have a guest we can always drag the matress into the front room ) So I think inside it will be - not discounting outside completely yet as keeping options open, OH also discussed asking landlord for half to replace old ramshackled shed for larger one and put in electric heater.

I originally thought of converting large dog crate into a two tier cage but its not wide or long enough for the 4 of them. Is there any large ready made cages out there for 4 piggies that anyone can suggest?

You could try my idea?

It joins two cages together, I got these cages online one off gumtree and the other off freecycle. Its only the cages with bars on that work as the ends just pop, you could saw the ends of the plastic base off too for extra room. I would say for 4 pigs two ferplast 140 put together would do the job

 

[BossHogg]

I have this cage for when I had 2 piggies and Betty bun, however, I now have Betty on her own and 3 piggies so it's unfair to leave Betty outside on her own. The hutches are at right angles so she can still see the piggies and not feel lonely.