Winters coming how to keep the boys warm?

[mummyemily]

Well had the 1st frost of the winter and by all accounts they say it going to be a cold one my 2 boys are going to have to winter out due to new huge hutches bought for them. (2 boys managed last year didnt get Oscar until the summer and he lived in a box that was not much bigger than a shoe box for 2rys and have no idea if he lived in or out ) Oscar on his own (he gets bullied)
he has an igloo with hay on and in it in his bedroom but concerned that the plastic is not going to give him any warmth and the boys just have mountains of hay in their bedroom got covers for both of them but any ideas of making them nice and cosy in the cold months to come did think about getting them these wooden houses to put in but not sure

 

[Connie]

Best thing to do is
- insultate the hutch using things like bubble wrap (I'm sure more experienced memebers will be able to tell you more about that)
- get them a snuggle safe head pad each
- and considered getting oscar a friend because theres nothing better than cuddling up with another piggy.

 

[mummyemily]

Hi Connie, I have tried Oscar with friends firstly i introduced him to my boys and they wouldnt let him up the ramp then rescued a older piggie and slowly introduced them - they both had a hutch and a run facing each other so no contact then grandually let them spend time together and it did nothing but chew his ears and chase him.
Hadnt thought of heat pads will look into it this evening

 

[Connie]

Sorry, it wasnt a critizism. Have you tried boar dating at a reputable rescue? For difficult piggies it can take 3 or 4 attempts to find them a suitable friend. This method means you dont have to take home any piggies that wont bond with your little one, just his eventual friend.

Otherwise, all of the above methods and hopefully some people with outdoor piggies will apear to advise further.

 

[mummyemily]

thanks connie never thought rescue centers did that am looking for a local centre that will allow me to try, also bought two heat pads last night for them just the bubblewrap to go - silly qution but take it the bubble wrap is installed on the outside of the hutch?

 

[Connie]

thanks connie never thought rescue centers did that am looking for a local centre that will allow me to try, also bought two heat pads last night for them just the bubblewrap to go - silly qution but take it the bubble wrap is installed on the outside of the hutch?

Thats ok, Lots of people arnt aware of how much rescue centres will do. But being on this site I'm sure you will learn lots.

Unfortunatly not ALL rescue centres offer this, and you may have to travel a little way to get one that does. However, you will be amazed when he has a friend how happy and chripy he is.

Yup. Its not a silly question, theres no such thing on here! But its definatly on the outside. Most people put a waterproof tarpaulin over that, and then just make sure they have tons of hay. Sounds like your doing really well getting prepared.

If you were worried about how well it works, you could get a thermometer so you are able to check the temperate of the hutch. Piggies like to be about the same temperature as us.