Going outside again

[asdash]

The sunny weather we are having today has got me thinking about when it is time for the pigs to get back outside - it is obviously too cold to start just yet, but I was wondering if there is a certain temperature it has to be before they can go back out.

Do you tend to do it gradually ? - I was thinking of just putting them in the run for a short time to start with and gradually increasing the time, until it warms up at night too when they can go in the hutch at night.

Do I need to do anything else to acclimatise them ?

Also our grass isn't growing yet but am I right in thinking that spring grass has to be introduced gradually to reduce the risk of bloat ?

Thanks
Andrea

 

[biscandmatt]

i'm in manchester aswell. i went out earlier and picked a very small amount of grass for them all. they loved it. introduce it very slowly. i do this for a while until they can go back outside and then just increase the time each time they go out.

i don't think my lot will be going out for a while yet though as it's still very cold and frosty here.

 

[Hoggle*&*Ludo]

I feel really bad that I have no choice but to have Ernie outside now although at my friend's he was in the shed until recently. I am going to invest in a small shed for next year. In the meantime, I am just using extra hay, he has a cuddle cup and hopefully as of today, a heat pad. Was pretty cold last night but just been to check on him and he raced over to get his veggies off me.

 

[lauralucy]

i have always thought if its too cold for you outside without a jumper/fleece on its too cold for the piggies.

 

[hayls<3]

I agree with the above, piggies only have hair like us, not fur and due to them being low slung, they will be touching the cold grass with their tummies!

I think letting them build up their munching time will be the best for them when it gets warmer!