Bath day and winter hutch details

[DavidEscapes]

So. It's bath day for Millie, Poppy and Peanut. Thought you might want to see a few photos. Didn't take as many as I would have liked since they clearly did not approve of bath day!

While the camera is out I thought I would take some pictures of the winterised hutch.

So:

Poppy is confused as to what the water is for!



Cuddling up in a towel.







Hairdryer on the lowest setting, hopefully dry soon!:



There was quite a lot more drying activity. And I got wee'd on for the 1st time. Guess Poppy REALLY didn't enjoy the bathing experience.

They are on a hay stuffed box in the warmest part of this room right now. With a cleaned out hutch awaiting them when they have dried off fully.

Continued below!

 

[DavidEscapes]

The winterised hutch:

As you can see I have made a hutch hugger to help keep everything insulated. I have also added correx over the top and down the back. Partly to ensure that everything is 100% waterproof, and also to provide an extra layer of insulation.





I have also made mesh covers for both the front cage panels. This gives them extra protection from the rain, as any driving rain will hit it and run down, rather than going into the hutch. It will also break up wind and take the power out of it, adding some more comfort and warmth. Wind chill is obviously a big factor in staying warm.



As you can see everything is securly attached with marine press studs. So it can be taken off and put on very quickly, it's neat, and strong wind won't shift it.

Nest:



I have used boxes with cosey's, stuffed all around full of straw to give them somewhere safe to stay warm. The box also helps stop heat being lost above and through the sides of the hutch. As well as adding some more airspace around for extra insulation.

Once the picture was taken I added more hay to complete their nest

Some extra security underneath:



From what I could see the real weakspot where foxes ect we concerned was underneath the hutch. The thin plastic pull out trays looked like they could easily be destroyed by a hungry fox. Therefore I added extra fox proof mesh underneath to be 100% sure the piggies are protected.

Hope you like the pictures!

David

 

[Shellza]

Aww, they are such gorgeous piggies x) The hutch is looking good

 

[DavidEscapes]

Yeah. Its in a really nice sheltered spot also, with good protection from the wind. The last thing I really need to do is insulate the water bottles. I'll probably do that tomorrow.

Right now they hate not going in their run everyday. It is normally opened first thing in the morning and not closed until it goes dark. So they have free access to it all day. But the recent rain has put a stop to that.

I'm considering making a clear correx cover for the top of the run, again attached with press studs so it can be attached on rainy days only. I'll probably only do that for summer and spring rainy days though, when it it wet and warm. To give them extra days outside.

 

[Branston&Pickles]

What gorgeous girlies! i love the towel pictures x)

The hutch looks fab, nice and snuggley for them all

 

[DavidEscapes]

Just realised I mislabeled the 1st image. I meant to say Peanut, not Poppy

 

[Romily]

What gorgeous girls you have and I love what you have done with the hutch, looks like they will be safe and snuggly this winter!

 

[flips]

Lovely to see your girls again. They're soooo gorgeous.

Your winter hutch preparations look great too.

 

[AudioHeart]

Aww pretty piggies, and the hutch looks warm and snug too

 

[Guinea-wiggles]

Looks all snuggly & warm