Guinea Pigs Outside Set Up + Newbie Q's

[Jemima]

Hello!

I would love to adopt some Guinea Pigs. First and foremost - for me! I am 38. :-) Then secondly, for my children to enjoy, too - they are keen naturalists - love everything any anything to do with wildlife and nature. Aged 6 and 8.

I always ownded rabbits when I was younger, but I know they aren't that keen on cuddles or being picked up, so I 'assumed' that Guinea Pigs would be more straight forward and better family pets for us. However, as I like to research these things thoroughly, I am now wondering if I can adopt piggies after all - as everywhere I look tends to be hugely in favour of keeping them indoors, or keeping them outside but in a shed. I can't really do either of these things. :-(

In winter and the colder months, here in the UK - I could - at a push, perhaps keep them in my office, which essentially a clothes airing/work/junk room! It also has my cat's litter tray in it, as she doesn't like going to the loo outside in the winter!

But I am concerned about the costs of getting an indoor cage/home as well as an outdoor hutch and run, which are big enough. I am currently looking at charter well 6ft hutch and run, or this one with a foldable/portable run. And then also getting a cover/insulator. I';d have to buy one bit per month until April, and then get the piggies.

BUT - can they live happily outside? Could I move their hutch into our tool shed for night time in the winter? We do get foxes in our garden, too...

Also - I work from home so am at home a lot, most days, all day - and would love to bring them in for floor time, etc. But I do understand about their need for a constant temperature. In the winter, would heat lamps/warming pads work?

Basically, I want to the right thing as a responsible pet owner. I have stupidly got myself excited (and my children) about the prospect of these lovely animals, but I just couldn't keep them indoors all the time, and maybe not even all autumn/winter... I just don't know that we have the space!

Can any one of you help me to come up with a workable solution or plan?

Many thanks,

Jemima.

 

[Swissgreys]

Welcome to the Forum

It is always lovely to come across a potential owner who is doing their research in advance and clearly wants to provide a wonderful life for their piggies.

I will answer a few questions as best I can.

It is possible to keep your piggies outside in a suitable hutch, with appropriate covers, heat pads and insulation as long as it is in a sheltered location.
We have many members with outdoor piggies.
But what I would say (I have outdoor rabbits) is that this is a lot of additional work in the cooler months, and your interaction with your piggies will be fairly minimal during this time.
Realistically no child (or most adults) are going to sit outside in a howling gale and freezing temperatures to be with their guinea pigs. I think this is the time when piggies suddenly go from being loved family pets to forgotten at the bottom of the garden in some cases, so it is something to be aware of.
The hutch you are looking at is good quality and an excellent choice for outdoor piggies.

Guinea pigs do need a daily constant temperature so bringing them inside to play with them during the Winter and expecting them to go back outside is not an option.

Bringing them in for the whole Winter could be a good solution, as long as you were able to offer them safe accommodation of the appropriate size and suitably protected from your cat. Do you have any otehr options like a garage with natural light and no car? Or a conservatory?

But you mention the cost of having 2 homes as being a possible issue, which is fair enough.
However what I would say is that unless you plan to get insurance (currently only offered by 1 UK company) then you need to be certain you will have enough money to seek veterinary treatment when needed and also be aware that the costs can range from around 80 pounds for a very simple hay poke injury up to hundreds for more complicated issues. Having an appropriate amount of savings to cover these issues is very important, and something to factor in when planning for piggies. Guinea pigs are definitely not the cheap pets they are often made out to be, and on an average year with 2 - 3 piggies my vet bills have ranged between 150 - 1000 pounds.

 

[Jemima]

Thank you for your reply @Swissgreys.

I don't have a conservatory or garage with good space sadly. Also, my husband would never agree to putting them in the garage! He has a lot of his tools in there and our bikes, etc. We live in a bungalow with a good garden but not so much space inside.

The more and more I research, the more I feel like perhaps we shouldn't get the Guinea Pigs. If it was just me and the kids, then I'd happily have them inside all winter, in my office, with the door shut so the cats cannot get in.

But I just can't see my husband being OK with this!

Anyway, I'll continue to research and see what the options are and if it's doable.... my husband is a carpenter and could easily fashion up an indoor area for them to stay in the cold months but I bet he won't!

Cost wise, I can put away money for them. Again, it's just my husband who would need convincing... BLAH!

 

[Piggies&buns]

As a 30 year rabbit owner, I can comfortably say that all except one of my rabbits have been cuddlier and more affectionate than my piggies! The three rabbits I have now love attention, being stroked, cuddled. My piggies, like the majority of piggies, hate being held and picked up. Some learn to like cuddles and lap time but its not a given so managing the expectations of children is important. Seeing pictures of piggies sat having cuddles is not always the realities of piggy ownership. My more nervous piggy took 18 months to stop running off when I went near them and while my youngest child has been very patient and understands prey animal instincts even she got fed up with not being able to stroke them and prefers the rabbits for their more interactive nature. My two piggies are happy for me to sit in their shed with them but hate being touched. My physical interaction with them is for their health and weight checks but it is a race against time before there is squealing, struggling to get down and in the case of my lovely Dexter, a few nips!

With foxes in the garden, then them being outside at all is risky and with the cat inside, that also needs some thought.

Moving them into the toolshed is an option but it is still only part of the story. Microwaveable pads will provide them a safe place to sit on.
My rabbits are outdoor rabbits and my piggies live in a hutch in my shed. The piggies obviously have the benefit of being out of the elements but keeping them warm enough is still hard work and that is with the shed itself always being a few degrees warmer than the outdoor temperature. Mine have a thermal hutch cover, two blankets, a waterproof hutch cover (although as they are in the shed that isn't important but it does provide an extra layer), then an old duvet pulled over all of it, along with four microwaveable snugglesafes and mountains of hay. I spend an hour a day heating heat pads in winter! Even those measures have their limits and I'm always prepared with my spare cage to bring them indoors (with the -2 temperatures we have had overnight lately I have managed to my piggies hutch above 10 degrees in the shed, but the -9 predicted in my area tomorrow night has me very worried and prepping for a sudden dash indoors - and of course then due to their need for a constant temperature, if they come indoors tomorrow night, they will be indoors for many weeks as it'll be too cold to put them back out). I do find keeping them cool outside in summer harder than keeping them warm in winter and to that end, mine tend to move indoors during the hottest summer months and only have outside run time during the early mornings and late evenings when it is is coolest.

A vet fund is a must as swissgreys has said they aren't cheap pets.

 

[Jemima]

As a 30 year rabbit owner, I can comfortably say that all except one of my rabbits have been cuddlier and more affectionate than my piggies! The three rabbits I have now love attention, being stroked, cuddled. My piggies, like the majority of piggies, hate being held and picked up. Some learn to like cuddles and lap time but its not a given so managing the expectations of children is important. Seeing pictures of piggies sat having cuddles is not always the realities of piggy ownership. My more nervous piggy took 18 months to stop running off when I went near them and while my youngest child has been very patient and understands prey animal instincts even she got fed up with not being able to stroke them and prefers the rabbits for their more interactive nature. My two piggies are happy for me to sit in their shed with them but hate being touched. My physical interaction with them is for their health and weight checks but it is a race against time before there is squealing, struggling to get down and in the case of my lovely Dexter, a few nips!

Now I am really confused! I wanted to get bunnies, because I had them growing up, but thought, after research, that GP's might be better for the children! I LOVED having my bunnies when I was younger. We had the bottom of the garden sectioned off for them. And I remember many a day lying in their run with them, just hanging out. We only had to take them to the vet once in the time we had them.

However, they used to escape all the time! And wanted to dig to get out, so I guess that put me off a bit.

Also, from research, it seems rabbits are higher maintenance when it comes to vet bills, etc. However,perhaps it would be easier in terms of just letting them stay outside?

Some people's GPs seem to be super friendly, don't they? Or don't they?!

I really appreciate your reply - thank you.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Now I am really confused! I wanted to get bunnies, because I had them growing up, but thought, after research, that GP's might be better for the children! I LOVED having my bunnies when I was younger. We had the bottom of the garden sectioned off for them. And I remember many a day lying in their run with them, just hanging out. We only had to take them to the vet once in the time we had them.

However, they used to escape all the time! And wanted to dig to get out, so I guess that put me off a bit.

Also, from research, it seems rabbits are higher maintenance when it comes to vet bills, etc. However,perhaps it would be easier in terms of just letting them stay outside?

Some people's GPs seem to be super friendly, don't they? Or don't they?!

I really appreciate your reply - thank you.

Rabbits need a lot more space - a pair needing a 6x2ft hutch within/attached to a 10x6 ft run (totalling 60 sq ft) is the recommended size (and a lot of rescues won't rehome to less). They still need similar winter protections - thermal covers, snugglesafes, mountains of hay and while I am much less likely to need to bring my rabbits indoors in winter, I am still prepared to do so if the need arises. They are also going to dig if they are being kept on the soil - there is no getting away from that!

A pair of female Piggies needing a minimum of 120x60cm cage but 150x60cm is recommended. A pair of boars need a 180x60cm cage as they are more territorial and need more space. So the 6ft hutch you are looking at is perfect for either sex of piggy.

I think in terms of vet fees, rabbits and piggies they are about the same - both high maintenance and both have an equally sized vet fund! But there are differences between them medically and behaviourally.

Rabbits need annual vaccinations (fortunately its now a triple vaccination which makes things easier rather than making separate trips) but piggies dont have any such annual vaccinations.

Rabbits, both male and female, must be neutered both to curb bad behaviour, make then easier to litter train but also in the case of Does, to remove the 80% probability of uterine cancer occurring by the time they are 2 years old. Piggies dont need to be neutered unless you are planning on keeping a mixed sex pair, or until health issues such as ovarian cysts arise (cysts can be common in sows from around 2 years of age). Neutering piggies does not change their behaviour and they cant be litter trained.

But otherwise, health issues are going to crop up regardless of the species - hay poke injuries are common in piggies given they are closer to the ground, but both species can be affected by gut and dental issues for example. And piggies being exotic pets, you sometimes need an exotic vet with its exotic price tag! I would say I'm more concerned by the expense of piggy health issues and the expense needed to deal with them that rabbit health issues.

The things you see online, YouTube videos etc, are for show. Nobody wants to watch a YouTube video of piggies if all they do is run off and hide and that is a reality of it in a lot of cases.

 

[Hath]

Welcome. It's good you're researching. I find having a foster piggies coming in as a good motivation to de clutter the spare room!

In general, your kids won't have much of a benefit from having pet outdoors. Living in the UK weather isn't great in general apart from few weeks of decent weather, and that won't be enough interactions to make them into 'lap pigs'. People believe rabbits and guinea pigs are good choice for kids as they're cheap and easily replaceable (they don't live 3yrs like some people think) and they freeze out of fear on the kids lap, making it look as if they're enjoying it... Out of all of my pigs only two will sit on a lap whilst eating veg and chill (but not sleep), beware there will be poo and pee...
Accommodation wise you'll have to decide where you're going to keep them. If outdoors then you'll have to commit to spending the money on hutch covers and heating pads and not to mention the amounts of hay you'll go throughout to keep them warm. You'll have to tuck them in late at night and ensure their snugglesafes are reheated and wake up early to repeat the process. So be very honest, are you going to do that every day from roughly October until March? My piggie shed is currently empty as they're indoors for the winter and even with insulation it's still 0 degrees in there because the heating is off now...

I find keeping piggies indoors better as you get the benefits of company, enjoying their mischiefs and less worry about temperature. You can always have a covered run for summer to put them in for some lawn time during the day.

Vet fees are incredibly high, they might not need annual vaccination like bunnies, but aren't any cheaper in terms of vet fees. I've paid £1k for bladder stone surgery...

All in all, have a discussion as family and ensure you're all on the same page. I wouldn't buy from pet shops as you won't get the real support. Also, have your kids been around pets like piggies before? Last thing you want is to have allergic reactions and having to surrender them.

 

[Little Ones]

You might find reading this thread helpful: Hamsters vs Piggies
Another member asked how guinea pigs compare to hamsters, me and other members mention how much our guinea pigs have cost in detail. I think the discussion on the thread may put the costs of vet bills into perspective for you.
I think we also speak about how guinea pigs aren’t as cuddly as they are presented on social media but I don’t remember entirely.
Basically, guinea pigs are prey animals with the instinct to freeze when afraid. What you might see on social media is a guinea pig ‘happily’ sitting on a child’s lap when in reality the guinea pig is trying to act as boring as possible in hopes that the predator (people) become uninterested which allows the piggy to escape with their life. Once a guinea pig trusts you and feels safe, then they usually actively tell you that they don’t want to cuddle. The majority of guinea pigs don’t enjoy cuddles, from what I’ve seen. I’ve had 7 guinea pigs and only 2 have enjoyed sitting with people. The rest don’t enjoy it. Guinea pigs are more pets to be observed.

 

[Piggies&buns]

and not to mention the amounts of hay you'll go throughout to keep them warm. You'll have to tuck them in late at night and ensure their snugglesafes are reheated and wake up early to repeat the process. So be very honest, are you going to do that every day from roughly October until March?

Oh, the amounts spent on hay! I know I have five hay eating and hay bedded animals but £50 on hay a month is no joke!
One of the biggest issues I have with the amount of hay we get through is actually disposing of it all - I use some spent hay to insulate my tender plants, but with my green garden waste (oh, and that's another thing - check your council will take small animal waste as some won't), only going once a month in winter and with three hutches needing to be emptied once if not twice a week, I usually have several bags of spent bedding waiting to be thrown out but no bin space left, hence it piles up for a little while.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Hello and welcome to the forum
I agree with all the above comments. Guinea pigs are not cheap pets, vet bills can certainly add up. your office sounds like a fine place for them in the winter. A good sturdy hutch and run should protect them from foxes, especially if you can shut off any entrances from the run to the hutch overnight and buy a small padlock to secure.
On the other hand if you don’t think that they would be suitable pets for you and your children have you considered Gerbils, they make wonderful pets for children. Unlike hamster they are awake during daytime hours, generally don’t bite. They are really happy little souls and quite easy to hand tame, I would thoroughly recommend them.

 

[Hath]

Oh, the amounts spent on hay! I know I have five hay eating and hay bedded animals but £50 on hay a month is no joke!
One of the biggest issues I have with the amount of hay we get through is actually disposing of it all - I use some spent hay to insulate my tender plants, but with my green garden waste (oh, and that's another thing - check your council will take small animal waste as some won't), only going once a month in winter and with three hutches needing to be emptied once if not twice a week, I usually have several bags of spent bedding waiting to be thrown out but no bin space left, hence it piles up for a little while.

My council won't allow it. It's ridiculous... I can only imagine I buy bales of meadow hay for bedding and only had two piggies outdoors! I used to clean their bedroom twice a day (late night and early morning when replacing their heating pads) and if the hay wasn't too dirty I placed it in other part of a shed where they toileted so I felt like I am not wasting so much every day!
Thank goodness it's not as expensive and hard to get. Let's keep it that way

 

[Hath]

Hello and welcome to the forum
I agree with all the above comments. Guinea pigs are not cheap pets, vet bills can certainly add up. your office sounds like a fine place for them in the winter. A good sturdy hutch and run should protect them from foxes, especially if you can shut off any entrances from the run to the hutch overnight and buy a small padlock to secure.
On the other hand if you don’t think that they would be suitable pets for you and your children have you considered Gerbils, they make wonderful pets for children. Unlike hamster they are awake during daytime hours, generally don’t bite. They are really happy little souls and quite easy to hand tame, I would thoroughly recommend them.

I love gerbils! If you convert fish tanks they provide hours of entertainment and spend lots of time making tunnels! Just ensure you're not buying some pets at home gerbilarium, they're not fit for purpose.

 

[Hath]

Couldn't resist spamming with photo of my girls. I lost them both last year. I had 120L tank separated into two sections with one filled with carefresh for their bedroom and second part filled with aspen, cardboard, carefresh, hay and sand mixture to make tunnels
Here they were sleeping out of their den because it was sooo hot that day!

 

[LollyJJ]

Hi there,
This is my take and how we ended up with a lovely pair of rescue boar brothers.

My husband was always adamant that he didn't want pets- he too is a carpenter. I started thinking about guinea pigs a while ago, did some research and seemed like they would fit the bill- family and friends have piggies so the children had experience and knew what to expect. I contacted my local rescue and then lockdown no.1 happened, so I kept in touch.
I bought a big hutch & waterproof cover and made an insulating cover. Husband made a frame to rest the hutch on to raise it off the ground more and protect the feet- easy job- but being married to a carpenter means he rarely, ok never makes anything for home!
Finally we got the boys in June after a virtual home check with the intention of keeping them outside using an outdoor run on the grass then moving the hutch into the garage for winter.
What's happened is now we've had them inside since October in our dining room- I couldn't bare to have them out in the garage and not see them as much as we practically lived outside all summer with them. I've used their outdoor run, by turning it upside down, lining it with corex etc...
My husband loves the piggies and likes nothing better than sitting there watching them after work- he says he prefers them to TV and feeds them in the morning too. So a real convert, and they are certainly family pets now. We don't handle too much as they are way more entertaining just to watch and happier doing their own thing- coming over to us for a chin rub or stroke.

I think we'll move them out again when it warms up. What I'm saying is things can change and it's doable if you still think they could be the pets for you- perhaps wait til the warmer months like I did to get them and then try to move them inside once everyone has fallen in love with them. So you get what you want by stealth! Although I never envisaged having the piggies inside and it wasn't a plan.
I buy a big bale of hay locally for £11 which lasts a couple of months and the waste I compost or black bin. The veg is what we eat anyway so there's always something suitable and nuggets are the least important part of their diet so don't cost much either.
There is a lot to think about whichever pet you choose, but the forum is brilliant and friendly, you couldn't have come to a better place! Let us know what you decide.

 

[Jemima]

Hi there,
This is my take and how we ended up with a lovely pair of rescue boar brothers.

My husband was always adamant that he didn't want pets- he too is a carpenter. I started thinking about guinea pigs a while ago, did some research and seemed like they would fit the bill- family and friends have piggies so the children had experience and knew what to expect. I contacted my local rescue and then lockdown no.1 happened, so I kept in touch.
I bought a big hutch & waterproof cover and made an insulating cover. Husband made a frame to rest the hutch on to raise it off the ground more and protect the feet- easy job- but being married to a carpenter means he rarely, ok never makes anything for home!
Finally we got the boys in June after a virtual home check with the intention of keeping them outside using an outdoor run on the grass then moving the hutch into the garage for winter.
What's happened is now we've had them inside since October in our dining room- I couldn't bare to have them out in the garage and not see them as much as we practically lived outside all summer with them. I've used their outdoor run, by turning it upside down, lining it with corex etc...
My husband loves the piggies and likes nothing better than sitting there watching them after work- he says he prefers them to TV and feeds them in the morning too. So a real convert, and they are certainly family pets now. We don't handle too much as they are way more entertaining just to watch and happier doing their own thing- coming over to us for a chin rub or stroke.

I think we'll move them out again when it warms up. What I'm saying is things can change and it's doable if you still think they could be the pets for you- perhaps wait til the warmer months like I did to get them and then try to move them inside once everyone has fallen in love with them. So you get what you want by stealth! Although I never envisaged having the piggies inside and it wasn't a plan.
I buy a big bale of hay locally for £11 which lasts a couple of months and the waste I compost or black bin. The veg is what we eat anyway so there's always something suitable and nuggets are the least important part of their diet so don't cost much either.
There is a lot to think about whichever pet you choose, but the forum is brilliant and friendly, you couldn't have come to a better place! Let us know what you decide.

Thank you! I really do think we will be fine with Guinea Pigs. I've spoken to my two children about observing them more than interfering. When I say my two are avid wildlife fans - I mean their ideal way to send they day is to walk foraging for mushrooms and other hedgerow goodies - it's a family affair! We also volunteer locally toad patrolling - they love rescuing the toads and are very respectful.

You've made it sound like a possibility, and the thing is, it is different for everyone with all of our different experiences and lifestyles. All I know is that Iwould love to have them around, and getting them in the warmer months sounds like a good plan. To then bring them into my office over winter! Lush little work companions, no?

Thank you all so much for your helpful advice. X

 

[Piggies&buns]

getting them in the warmer months sounds like a good plan. To then bring them into my office over winter!

Rescuing them from a centre is best - it means you can be guaranteed they are the correct sex, are healthy and are not pregnant, but it also means they have been bonded properly. Getting piggies from a pet shop, and you cannot be assured of any of those things. The last thing you would want is to Find you suddenly end up with mixed sex, pregnancy piggies, multiple piggies of both sexes and then all the extra cages that will bring! Plus, incompatible and incorrectly bonded piggies will fight and need to be separated, and then be rebonded with their own new friends. It’s just a huge minefield!
Best thing to do is get yourself on the waiting list for rehoming. Rescue centres have their own requirements on cage sizes etc so its best to get their advice before buying cages. It would be awful to spend the money and then find they don’t meet their requirements

A lot of rescue centres will not rehome piggies at this time of year anyway if they are to live outside, so waiting is your best option.

 

[flowerfairy]

I had guinea pigs as a child and spent happy days with them sitting on my lap eating dandelions. My current herd of 5 (I am now 60 years old) all utterly loathe being handled!

However they are great to watch and to listen to. Those wheeks when it is food time and the sound as they gently chomp their hay, not to forget their charming appearance.

Best of luck.

 

[Jemima]

Rescuing them from a centre is best - it means you can be guaranteed they are the correct sex, are healthy and are not pregnant, but it also means they have been bonded properly. Getting piggies from a pet shop, and you cannot be assured of any of those things. The last thing you would want is to Find you suddenly end up with mixed sex, pregnancy piggies, multiple piggies of both sexes and then all the extra cages that will bring! Plus, incompatible and incorrectly bonded piggies will fight and need to be separated, and then be rebonded with their own new friends. It’s just a huge minefield!
Best thing to do is get yourself on the waiting list for rehoming. Rescue centres have their own requirements on cage sizes etc so its best to get their advice before buying cages. It would be awful to spend the money and then find they don’t meet their requirements

A lot of rescue centres will not rehome piggies at this time of year anyway if they are to live outside, so waiting is your best option.

Yes - I have been in touch with my nearest rescue centre already. I have always adopted my kitties. So will definitely adopt Gp's if we decide to get them.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Thank you! I really do think we will be fine with Guinea Pigs. I've spoken to my two children about observing them more than interfering. When I say my two are avid wildlife fans - I mean their ideal way to send they day is to walk foraging for mushrooms and other hedgerow goodies - it's a family affair! We also volunteer locally toad patrolling - they love rescuing the toads and are very respectful.

You've made it sound like a possibility, and the thing is, it is different for everyone with all of our different experiences and lifestyles. All I know is that Iwould love to have them around, and getting them in the warmer months sounds like a good plan. To then bring them into my office over winter! Lush little work companions, no?

Thank you all so much for your helpful advice. X

I used to be involved in the “toad patrol” every year where I used to live in North Yorkshire. Stood in the dark with my wellies, torch and bucket! Haha

 

[eileen]

i have both indoor and outdoor piggies,due to a large number of piggies,both have pros and cons.outdoor piggies need more maintanance,but i love having piggies outside in the spring and summer.I spend time in the garden when it is warm,easier to place in the runs.i have today just bought one outside herd indoors due to cold weather,older piggies.Some of my piggies like laptime,some do not.also if you are able to get piggies from a rescue,it is much more likely you will be given piggies suitable for your family.guinea pigs can be expensive,but they also give alot of joy.i find having piggies indoors in cooler months and outdoor in warmer months a good compromise.you are doing your research which is always good.i hope you find a workable solution.

 

[Jemima]

i have both indoor and outdoor piggies,due to a large number of piggies,both have pros and cons.outdoor piggies need more maintanance,but i love having piggies outside in the spring and summer.I spend time in the garden when it is warm,easier to place in the runs.i have today just bought one outside herd indoors due to cold weather,older piggies.Some of my piggies like laptime,some do not.also if you are able to get piggies from a rescue,it is much more likely you will be given piggies suitable for your family.guinea pigs can be expensive,but they also give alot of joy.i find having piggies indoors in cooler months and outdoor in warmer months a good compromise.you are doing your research which is always good.i hope you find a workable solution.

Thank you! Do you think outside piggies tend to be more timid, as they are not used to people being around all the time?

I can either rescue them and have them in my office and then just pop them out in the run and a hidden house with shade, when it is warm.

Or, I could look to home them outside from April-Oct, and wait until then to get them, so I can then save up for an indoor home for Autumn/Winter.

I suppose what I am wondering is what is the best scenario of the piggies? To have them in permanently, and go outside in interludes (when warmer), or to live permanently outside, and to over winter them inside.

I want to have the best chance of them getting used to me, and me them!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you! Do you think outside piggies tend to be more timid, as they are not used to people being around all the time?

I can either rescue them and have them in my office and then just pop them out in the run and a hidden house with shade, when it is warm.

Or, I could look to home them outside from April-Oct, and wait until then to get them, so I can then save up for an indoor home for Autumn/Winter.

I suppose what I am wondering is what is the best scenario of the piggies? To have them in permanently, and go outside in interludes (when warmer), or to live permanently outside, and to over winter them inside.

I want to have the best chance of them getting used to me, and me them!

It would obviously be cheaper to have them live indoors and go out when they can, as you’ll only need to buy one cage and a run, rather than an outdoor cage, indoor cage and a run.

Id say this is going to be piggy dependent, and how much time you put in, more than where they live.
There is an argument that outdoor piggies get less interaction and are therefore less friendly but equally indoor piggies can be exposed to stress from a busy household and be more nervy due to that.
This is why it is going to be piggy dependent. You will find the forum littered with experiences from both sides - nervous indoor piggies and confident outdoor piggies and vice versa.

Mine live out year round but come indoors when the weather means they need to (too hot or too cold). As they are in a shed I can be out there with them all the time, come rain or shine. If piggies are directly outside you need to be honest with yourself and say are you really going to sit out with them in the rain.
I sit with them for hours on end, i put in as much time with them outdoors as I would if they were in permanently. It’s normal for them to take weeks, months of years to settle in regardless of where they live as their prey animal instinct is always going to be there.
It took one of mine six weeks to become more confident around me but it took the other 18 months. They were both interacted with in exactly the same way but their characters were the deciding factor on how they settled and how quickly they became comfortable with me

 

[Jemima]

It would obviously be cheaper to have them live indoors and go out when they can, as you’ll only need to buy one cage and a run, rather than an outdoor cage, indoor cage and a run.

Id say this is going to be piggy dependent, and how much time you put in, more than where they live.
There is an argument that outdoor piggies get less interaction and are therefore less friendly but equally indoor piggies can be exposed to stress from a busy household and be more nervy due to that.
This is why it is going to be piggy dependent. You will find the forum littered with experiences from both sides - nervous indoor piggies and confident outdoor piggies and vice versa.

Mine live out year round but come indoors when the weather means they need to (too hot or too cold). As they are in a shed I can be out there with them all the time, come rain or shine. If piggies are directly outside you need to be honest with yourself and say are you really going to sit out with them in the rain.
I sit with them for hours on end, i put in as much time with them outdoors as I would if they were in permanently. It’s normal for them to take weeks, months of years to settle in regardless of where they live as their prey animal instinct is always going to be there.
It took one of mine six weeks to become more confident around me but it took the other 18 months. They were both interacted with in exactly the same way but their characters were the deciding factor on how they settled and how quickly they became comfortable with me

Ah thank you for your reply - it is helpful to know these things.

Inside, they would be in my office. But myth children aged 6 and 8 can be noisy!

I just don't know what to decide in the end... `I keep deciding I would love to get them and should stop overthinking everything. With me, I will take care of them very well - I love animals so much. But then part of me is worried about doing what's right for them. Oh well, I will decide one day soon I suppose.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Ah thank you for your reply - it is helpful to know these things.

Inside, they would be in my office. But myth children aged 6 and 8 can be noisy!

I just don't know what to decide in the end... `I keep deciding I would love to get them and should stop overthinking everything. With me, I will take care of them very well - I love animals so much. But then part of me is worried about doing what's right for them. Oh well, I will decide one day soon I suppose.

The fact you are doing all your research first, shows you will absolutely do what is right for them!

Thinking about it logically, you are definitely going to need an indoor cage regardless - whether it’s for them to live in right when they come to you or October time. The fact is the need for an indoor cage is essential and is the consistent feature whichever way you do it . They could live in and only go out in the run on nice days this year and then next year you can decide on the hutch. You might find that having them in a hutch is too stressful for you and them - you could be worrying about wild animals, the heat in the hutch etc so if you know they are in for this year, you have got plenty of time to see how you feel, how you cope with the heat of the summer etc. if you buy a hutch now, and then after you’ve spent some time with them, you may decide you don’t like the idea of them being put permanently and in which case you’ve bought a hutch for no reason!
As I said, I find summer with mine being outdoor dwelling so much harder than winter to the point that my outdoor living piggies, come inside for summer. They cannot be in my garden during the height summer days as it is simply far too hot on the lawn or in their shed. The only way I know they are safe is if they are in the house

 

[Hath]

One if my pairs preferred to be in a piggie shed, but as they aged it just wasn't possible to have Grandpa in the freezing cold outdoors, even if they had insulated and heated shed...
Then my other pair hated being in the shed and had to be moved back in!
I would say, rescue. That way they'll be able to tell you if the pigs are used to household noises or if they're too skittish. Obviously, it'll take time for them to settle either way, but at least you're getting pair that is used to being indoors.
It's definitely cheaper and less work to have them indoors and put them in a safe run during the day when weather is nice. Are you sure no one in the household is allergic?

 

[Jemima]

One if my pairs preferred to be in a piggie shed, but as they aged it just wasn't possible to have Grandpa in the freezing cold outdoors, even if they had insulated and heated shed...
Then my other pair hated being in the shed and had to be moved back in!
I would say, rescue. That way they'll be able to tell you if the pigs are used to household noises or if they're too skittish. Obviously, it'll take time for them to settle either way, but at least you're getting pair that is used to being indoors.
It's definitely cheaper and less work to have them indoors and put them in a safe run during the day when weather is nice. Are you sure no one in the household is allergic?

Nope - I am definitely not sure no one in the house is not allergic! My husband has a slight allergy to dust, as does (we think), my son. We have cats...

 

[SusieW]

Hi! I haven't read all the replies but lovely to see someone doing lots of research I don't mean anything I say in a nasty way at all but just my opinion.

I currently have 8 (soon to be 9) guinea pigs but they all live indoors. I also have had four that have died, and looked after three others on a permanent basis for a year so I love pigs but can't emphasise enough how much work they are!

This might not be a popular opinion but I don't really like guinea pigs living outdoors. I looked after some outdoor rabbits and guinea pigs for a friend and although my friend loves her pigs I didn't really like the situation. I have never seen an outdoor hutch that I think has enough space for guinea pigs plus enrichment and things to do and every time it rained I was panicking about them getting wet and cold. I think of them often now with how cold it's been, and don't know how they survive outdoors really. It also is very hard to spend any quality time with them, especially when it's cold and awful outdoors... currently I'm watching TV with mine!

I had a guinea pig in a shed with a rabbit when I was a child (I'm 27 now) and still feel guilty about his quality of life even though in a shed with a rabbit seemed to be what everyone did and what we were recommended to do at the time.

Another thing to bear in mind is the amount of poo they make! I do also think guinea pigs smell somewhat, and I clean mine out at least once daily so it's not a husbandry issue.
I use hay extracted hay and still think it's quite dusty so maybe think about that too.

I love watching my pigs but can't imagine going outside in all weathers to do that... I worry more about outdoor pigs getting neglected in bad weather. I had to clean my friend's ones out and whilst I was doing it a thunderstorm came out of nowhere, and this was the summer so bear in mind all the rain in the winter and the fact that you'll have to go out to care for them.

I think the idea of outdoor guinea pigs may be nice in the summer but not in the winter!

I have an ex working sheepdog and actually think he is less work than guinea pigs... I think people massively under-estimate the amount of work they are.

In terms of the cuddly thing, I've had a mix, some easy to handle, some not, but I don't really like holding them anyway and much prefer watching them.

Sometimes I think guinea pigs are their own worst enemies because of how cute they are... too many people get them because they are insanely cute and then either get rid of or neglect them (not suggesting you would at all, you are obviously lovely and a very responsible pet owner!)

Personally I don't see the point of having guinea pigs if they live outdoors but each to their own.

I'm sure if you do decide to get pigs you'll look after them beautifully and they'll be happy

Good luck!