Piggienewbie
Junior Guinea Pig
This year the piggies have to live outside as I found out when the moved back out that I am highly allergic to them ( short haired next time) and they were causing me to have real issues with my hearing.
So this spring I invested in a two tier hutch and cover for £99 and have just added and insulating layer to start them off with the slowly dropping temps.
I started by taking off the cover and pining bubble wrap then a layer of fleece blanket to the back of the hutch, and used some "picnic blankets" ( I invert the comma's as I can just about get my arse on them) I purchased from poundland this summer to do the same for the sides. They have a waterproof polystyrene backing and fabric front. I then put the cover back on. ( I need to add a layer of fleece and bubble wrap ontop of the roof later on.
I have been using fleece in the bottom section for some time ( since Hattie got bumble foot) but was using news paper in the top section ( due to it's fiddleyness) which I would change 2/3 times a day. With the dropping temps the paper has started to take a while (if at all to dry) so I have cut some fleece to fit and used a layer of two of newspaper underneath to catch the water.
To ensure the front is draft free at night I use an old ikea fleece tucked in and the front sections of the cover secured and pegged.
I have also added some cardboard to the bottom section sides where they are not wood to prevent drafts and secondly to prevent a build up of difficult to get at poos, ensuring a speedy clean and refresh.
To prevent the water bottles freezing I have used my husbands old socks to create a two later jacket.
As the months continue I will be adding boxes and snuggley bags whipped up in my machine, and investing in some thicker fleece fro the front.
A few pictures.
Hattie and Margot enjoying probably the last lawn run of the year.
Hx
So this spring I invested in a two tier hutch and cover for £99 and have just added and insulating layer to start them off with the slowly dropping temps.
I started by taking off the cover and pining bubble wrap then a layer of fleece blanket to the back of the hutch, and used some "picnic blankets" ( I invert the comma's as I can just about get my arse on them) I purchased from poundland this summer to do the same for the sides. They have a waterproof polystyrene backing and fabric front. I then put the cover back on. ( I need to add a layer of fleece and bubble wrap ontop of the roof later on.
I have been using fleece in the bottom section for some time ( since Hattie got bumble foot) but was using news paper in the top section ( due to it's fiddleyness) which I would change 2/3 times a day. With the dropping temps the paper has started to take a while (if at all to dry) so I have cut some fleece to fit and used a layer of two of newspaper underneath to catch the water.
To ensure the front is draft free at night I use an old ikea fleece tucked in and the front sections of the cover secured and pegged.
I have also added some cardboard to the bottom section sides where they are not wood to prevent drafts and secondly to prevent a build up of difficult to get at poos, ensuring a speedy clean and refresh.
To prevent the water bottles freezing I have used my husbands old socks to create a two later jacket.
As the months continue I will be adding boxes and snuggley bags whipped up in my machine, and investing in some thicker fleece fro the front.
A few pictures.
Hattie and Margot enjoying probably the last lawn run of the year.
Hx
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