Free range?

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Hobbit

Hobbit

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Hi everyone, I know I rarely post, but I am a lurker :red and value your opinions on something please! I recently saw someone let their piggys free range in the garden in the evening. Now mine go out often, but always in a run. One of my rabbits free ranges sometimes, but she is quite large and old, and my garden is very secure. These piggies were near the (quiet) road (which is why I saw them), and were on a grassy area near a gate. I could see a huge hutch in the garden. Is this common? Am I depriving my piggys? Or is this rare? My mum was with me (also a piggy owner) and was quite shocked, and was worried about birds of prey. BTW, the piggys were gorgeous and looked really healthy. Thank you :)p
 
I may be a bit of a worrier but I would worry about the road if they were not securely fenced in. I also know of someone who did let theirs have the run of quite a large area (with no roof) and their piggies all got taken by buzzards :(
x
 
My pig run has nomlid and I am scared to go to the loo! I sit in the yard with them, I'm sparawles out on a blanket on the sun now!
 
If you are worried about them, which I think you have every right to be, maybe you and your mum could post a small note through their door, saying that you are concerned that they will be at risk from Buzzards that you have seen lurking in the area. :x
 
sparrow hawks and even a cat could take them, i know my cat would given the chance as he catches rats.:(
 
Guinea pig always in his apex run. I would worry he would be able to squeeze somewhere and I will never find him. Or a cat would take a chance.
 
I have let Rosie free range in the back garden before as i know she won't go very far or run away. However i was always sat on the grass about a foot away from her, I wouldn't leave her outside if i went in. Now i have Ruby as well i wouldn't dare put them down without being in their run or they would just scarper :)
 
I would be way too worried. Lots of cats in my village and big crows/magpies!
 
I have let my piggies free roam in my secure back garden when I had only two at a time and the flower borders were not as mature as they are now, but always only under supervision when I was out gardening or just piggy watching; I trained mine to come back into the run with a veg treat.

Unfortunately, it literally takes only seconds for a dog, cat or bird of prey to hit. My piggies loved it, tough!
 
jamarcham said:
We have red kites where i live, suspect the piggies would get taken if we let them run free :(
Click to expand...

Red Kites are less of a threat to adult pigs than you might think, they feed largely on worms, insects and carrion. The largest prey they could carry off would be a baby rabbit and they'd typically go for mice and voles, they'd probably not view a piggy as an easy meal. Just got to put a good word in for the Kites. :)

I do agree there are risks from predators though if piggies are allowed free range, it's probably best to keep them under cover.
 
I think I'd have to say something - in the nicest possible manner and being a fellow piggy lover, they would understand your concerns hopefully.
My lot are safely kept indoors all year round but the runs we have are very secure and have even asked OH to build some reinforcements around the pens in case I have to nip to the ladies...:...
Hoping I'll get the courage this year to pop them outside :{
 
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