Is it too cold outside

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Natasha Fahy

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Hi I am new to the group so hello 😀

We got our piggies back in March after having rabbits before that. The piggies are kept outside in a large hutch with plenty of hay but now seeing the temperatures due in the next few days, I am worried they will be too cold and need bringing in? I'm concerned if I keep bringing them in and then taking them out, that’ll do more harm?
I’d really appreciate your advice.
 
:wel:
Piggies aren’t like rabbits (I keep both). Piggies need to be kept warm - ideally above 15 degrees - whereas rabbits can take colder temperatures provided they are dry, protected and insulated.
For piggies to be able to stay outside they need thermal and waterproof hutch covers, snugglesafe heatpads and ideally their hutch moving into a shed. You also need a thermometer in their hutch to keep an eye on things. If you can’t do that and they are likely to get too cold, then yes moving them inside is best - piggies aren’t hardy.
Mine are in a hutch in my shed and have a three blankets along with a thermal hutch cover, and then an old duvet thrown over all of it, four snugglesafe heatpads between the two of them and then everywhere filled with deep hay. Being in the shed means they aren’t exposed to wind and rain and the shed itself is always warmer inside than outside But even with all these measures, it is still hard work keeping them warm enough and even though I can do it, I always have a spare cage ready at any moment to move them indoors for the rest of the winter.

If you do move them indoors, then they cannot be put back outside until spring time (when the nights are warm again). (and of course it’s usually colder in January and February). A lot of people only have their piggies outside during spring and summer, moving them back indoors from autumn and throughout winter. They cannot cope with large temperature fluctuations.

Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs
 
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Thank you, I’ve been worried all night. They have a thermo cover and I'm off to get thermo pads later but I don’t have a shed or garage to keep them in. I’ll add extra blankets later as have a few old ones and a duvet.
I have been out just now and they seem happy? I’m just in a quandary as to what to do now as I can have them inside in the hutch in the utility room but I have to keep moving them when I have the washing machine on.
 
Pop a thermometer in to see how warm things stay in there.
I put small pieces of fleece over their hides to help keep warmth within the hide themselves, but you won’t be able to do that as having fleece outside means that it often just absorbs moisture stays wet, but what you could do is put a cardboard box over their hides and stuff hay between the outside of the hide and the cardboard box. With a heatpad under the hide, the warmth won’t be able to escape any further than the outside of the box so they will be warmer.
it is best to move them indoors if you can, but its not always possible for everybody. As I said, mine stay out and have been able to keep them warm enough but I’m always prepared for that one time that I can’t and then they will be in! (I actually find it harder to keep them cool in summer than I do keeping them warm in winter - mine move indoors during summer as it’s just too hot in their shed)
 
VickiA said:
@Lady Kelly has purpose built wooden boxes for her outside hutches. Hopefully she can show you photos.
Click to expand...

I do, I will try and find the thread with it on for you. Unfortunately we popped it in a new storage shed which has been awful and leaked so when I got it out this year it was mouldy :( hubby needs to make me a new one now
 
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