How do you keep your piggies warm?

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libertychance

libertychance

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I am fairly new piggy mummy and I am wondering what's the best thing to do when it gets cold. My piggies are outside and I can't source a cover for the hutch. I don't really want to put them in the garage as I think they won't get as much attention. I have an indoor cage but it's not very big......

And also, how can I make sure they get enough time in their run once it gets really cold/snowy/ground frost?

Yours worryingly :{
 
First things first, The cover for your hutch does not need to be specific or shop bought, home made is just as good. :) Putting them in the garage may or may not be the right thing for you and your family, however they can only go in there if it doesnt house a car.

You can insulate the hutch using many things such as bubble wrap or duvets, and then have a waterproof layer over this. (people who keep outdoor piggies will hopefully be along with more details soon! :) )

Another great thing to do is buy a couple of snuggle safe heat pad. They are gell filled pads that you pop in the micro wave, slip inside a washable fleece cover, and then into the hutch. The stay warm for hours and are like a little radiator for piggies. :)

And ofcourse, plenty of hay to snuggle into is always great. :)

Well dont for comming and researching, hopefully others will be along with more ideas soon.
 
I am at work on my phone at the mo, but tonite will be posting pics of our newly completed winter-proofing, which will hopefully give you some ideas! And not a shop bought cover in sight!
 
check out my thread

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=67742

It might help.

Ive now moved my 3 indoors for the winter, but before I did I used those reflective sheets you put in your car (the sort you put in your front window to reflect sunlight to stop your car becoming over heated and your steering wheel being too hot. I got mine from a pound shop) and I wrapped 2 round the sides and back of the cage, under the trauplin sheets I have covering the cage (Ive got 2 both from the pound shop as a dry hutch is a warm hutch) and when I covered the front with a folded fleece blanket I then put another behind it before putting my trauplin cover over it. I thought if it reflects heat out then it should reflect heat in too. And I them secure the sheet on some little hooks on the cage to stop it flapping about and drafts getting in.

Also if you can get hold of a transparent piece of hard plastic, cut it to the size of the mesh area of your cage, so that it slots into the door and drill some air holes in it, it will help keep the cold air out and warm air in.

Hope my tips help
 
I have a herd of 13 guinea pigs that live outdoors all year round and i have to say i hate this time of year as i find it so worrying. I have had 2 pigs that have lived outdoors and i have always brought them into a porch or my conservatory over winter, just to keep the harshness of the cold off them. I would use the garage option if you can, as long as it has some natural light and ventilation xx
 
as long as you dont house the car in the garage, and there is a source of light in there,i cant see why you r pigs would get less attention in there over winter, i am sure you wont be spending much time in your garden on freezing days with them, a garage would be more comfortable for you to look after them too, you could also heat it for them x
 
hello, we don't keep our cars in the garage but it's big and no source of light or heat. we keep them in a sheltered spot just outsude the back door by the bins so that when we pop out 3/4 times a day we can say hello and i think in the garage the kids wouldn't bother, apart from the fact they are tooyoung and can't open the door!

the conservatoty is a good idea, but we use it as a playroom and as such can be very noisy at times and also we heat it so it can get really warm

oh decisions decisions!
 
I made an insulated cover for my hutch out of this kinda stuff... Click

I used regular bubble-wrap to cover the front of the hutch so they still get light through but keep as much heat in as possible

Old carpet is supposed to be a good insluator too, or thick blankets/duvets.

Cover the whole thing on a tarpaulin to keep the rain off and they should be toasty.

Give them lots of extra hay so they can make cosy nests and/or stuff boxes with hay too. The boxes you get six bottles of wine in are perfectly piggie sized ;)
 
thankyou that looks good stuff. Do you put it inside or outside the hutch?!

They are in a lovely sheltered spot and I have bought a heat pad, so I think if i put lots of cardboard inside the hutch plus some of this foil stuff and cover with a thick tarp, I should be good to go.

thanks eevryone. I held off getting a pet as i knew I would worry so much about them, but you have been so helpful :)
 
I would put them into your Conservartory that you said gets used as a playroom :) the piggies and your children would love to be able to see them in a nice warm environment and they will get used to the noise . I have all mine in a shed but as I only have four pigs nowadays I am bringing them into the house this winter instead of heating the shed for them makes it easier to keep an eye on them as one of mine is 6years old now:)
 
Think about using a cavy cozy: piggies can snuggle inside it if it's cold and it wicks away urine to keep them nice and dry.

Also, if you use heatpads, don't forget to get some spare covers so that they can be changed frequently.

www.cavycozies.com
 
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