Worrying about overheating

[maharvey83]

The next three days, the temperature is shooting up to 26-27 degrees. My pigs are outside in a hutch. I have a thermometer in the hutch and today it was reading at a high of 36 degrees which I know is too hot for them. What can I do to keep them cool? I am working in the office for the next two days so won’t have the option of bringing them inside during the day
TIA

 

[rp1993]

Pop some water bottles in the freezer and give them them with a sock or towel wrapped around them. If they get to hit they will lie next to them

 

[Claire W]

36C is sadly too hot for them I was going to suggest you bring them indoors during the hot spell. Do you have a spare cage you could put them in indoors? Is their hutch in the shade?

 

[Piggies&buns]

They do really need to come indoors if their hutch is getting that hot. Putting frozen bottles in etc gives them somewhere cooler to sit, but the air around them is going to be too hot for them. Unfortunately hutches trap heat so they are rather difficult to keep cool.

Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

 

[Wiebke]

The next three days, the temperature is shooting up to 26-27 degrees. My pigs are outside in a hutch. I have a thermometer in the hutch and today it was reading at a high of 36 degrees which I know is too hot for them. What can I do to keep them cool? I am working in the office for the next two days so won’t have the option of bringing them inside during the day
TIA

Hi!

Please bring your piggies indoors and read our very detailed and comprehensive hot weather care guide. I have added every single tip that is actually working and safe to our collection of tips and have looked at all possible areas; not just a cage or hutch in order to save lives.
It also contains information and how to spot the symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke and what to do: Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

Please take the time to read the guide. It is usually a combination of a number of measures, some surprisingly simply but effective, that work together for best effect where just one measure will not be enough to keep your piggies safe during the full heat of the day. Hutches are killers in hot weather, especially those in full sun.

All the best!

 

[maharvey83]

I’m going to move their run indoors each day and put them in there with a waterproof sheet underneath. Can put their hideys in etc too. Am I ok to put towels on top of the waterproof sheet to soak up any wee?

 

[Wiebke]

I’m going to move their run indoors each day and put them in there with a waterproof sheet underneath. Can put their hideys in etc too. Am I ok to put towels on top of the waterproof sheet to soak up any wee?

Yes, you are OK to put towels on top of the waterproof sheet to prevent your piggies from sitting in their own pee. I would avoid any hideys with just one entrance as they are heat traps and rather peg a moistened sheet over the top of the run to additionally cool the air and give protection with optimal air flow as well.

PLEASE read the tips in the guide about how to best keep a room cool and how to ensure access to cool water at all times. Bringing your piggies indoors won't be much help if it turns into a baking oven, too. But you have more options for additional measures from which you will also benefit.

 

[maharvey83]

The room is fine. No hotter than 22 degrees with no direct sun coming in to it. Even the garden is ok as I have plenty of shade - it is just the hutch was so hot. I jus don’t like leaving them in the run in the garden when I’m not around to keep an eye on them

 

[Wiebke]

The room is fine. No hotter than 22 degrees with no direct sun coming in to it. Even the garden is ok as I have plenty of shade - it is just the hutch was so hot. I jus don’t like leaving them in the run in the garden when I’m not around to keep an eye on them

Please don't. A sun-heated strong breeze can kill piggies even in the shade of a tree, as some members have sadly experienced during extreme heat spikes. Take your piggies outside in the morning or in the evening once temperatures are pleasant again and they can really enjoy it - and you can hopefully relax watching them.