Best setup for outdoor piggies

[Tiddlyfiend]

Hi,

We are preparing to give a home to two piggies, we have a good sized garden with a lovely sheltered spot perfect for their hutch, however we won't be able to safely bring them into the house to live over the winter months as we have a house cat, who I wouldn't want to give the chance to get at them and there isn't any way we could lock them to make sure she couldn't get to them.

What is the best setup to see outdoor piggies through the winter safely and happily? s it ok to bring them inside for a supervised play and then tuck them back up in their hutch later?

Apologies if this has already been asked.

Thanks

 

[Swissgreys]

Welcome to the Forum.
It is wonderful that you are doing your research in advance.
We have many members who keep their piggies successfully outdoors.
The most common solution (and the easiest and best for both piggies and owners) seems to be a shed to put their hutch in.
This protects both your piggies and you during the Winter, and makes caring for them much easier and more pleasant.
Alternatively a very well made hutch with appropriate covers and insulation placed in a sheltered position near the house can also work.

We have lots of helpful information here:
Member Gallery: Sheds

You might also find our new owner guides useful:
New Owners' Most Helpful How-To Guides and Information

 

[Tiddlyfiend]

Thank you, unfortunately due to the tampoline there is no space for a shed in our garden but the spot where the hutch will stand is nestled against the fence and house, its usually always shady on a sunny and the most sheltered part during bad weather.

I'll take a look at those guides thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, unfortunately due to the tampoline there is no space for a shed in our garden but the spot where the hutch will stand is nestled against the fence and house, its usually always shady on a sunny and the most sheltered part during bad weather.

I'll take a look at those guides thanks

Hi!

Please also have a look at these guides here, especially in view of a fast heating climate.
Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike
Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs

 

[Piggies&buns]

My two piggies are outside but they live permanently in a shed.
They have a hutch within the shed and in winter I use multiple blankets on the hutch and a thermal hutch cover (I obviously don’t need a waterproof cover as they aren’t directly outside), loads of hay inside the hutch with hay stuffed hidey houses and four snugglesafe heatpads. It is also essential to have a thermometer so you can check the temp is remaining high enough within their hutch.
As outside piggies during winter, you would not be able to bring them into the house for playtime and then put them back out again as the sudden and extreme fluctuations in temperature would not be good for them.

 

[Tiddlyfiend]

Thanks for that advice piggies&buns. I had a feeling that was the case with them in the winter I just wanted to be sure.