its got so cold this week

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amberannielola

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that I'm unsure what to use to keep my girls warm outside
they usually just have tarpauling over the hutch to protect from the rain
however i got my pigs in dec last year so they were indoors untill they could go outside
i cant bring them in this winter so i need to insulate my hutch

can anyone advise what i can do to insulate the hutch and keep my girls warm

ive recently put a snuggie fleece and old duvet under the waterproof cover but i know this isnt going to be sufficient for the full winter
 
putting layers of bubble wrap under the waterproof cover will help and wont get damp like a duvet might. i would also pop a snugglesafe in the sleeping compartment under the bedding overnight, they stay warm for 8 hours and someone has just started a thread about them being on offer for a really good price too! also giving them extra bedding and cleaning them out more often so they stay nice and dry at all times will help ....coping with the cold if also damp is so much harder.
 
yes i did see the thread about snugglesafes earlier
i used bubble wrap when they first went outside
but i didnt think it would be sufficient
i just stapled it to the hutch with a staple gun tightly

id love to be able to bring them indoors
i have a indoor cage but very little room in the house
plus the smell and hubby doesnt really like them indoors
plus the indoor cage isnt really big enough for the 3 to live in
if I'm honest as it was just a back up cage

but it is gettin really cold now and winter is on its way
 
i understand your worry and also that it is not always possible for people to have their piggies indoors but planning for the winter now, as you are, is the right way to go. if they are healthy adults they can cope with cold better than we sometimes think so long as they are kept dry, out of draughts, have extra bedding, hay and food, etc. if they are three living together they will snuggle up to share their body warmth too. as well as having covers/insulation on the outside you could always put a 'false ceiling' in their bedroom to make it about 9 inchs high so when they are snuggled up the reduced air space will help keep the warmth in. having their hutch against your house rather than a fence will also help a little.
one thing i would advice against for outdoor piggies in winter is bringing them indoors for prolonged periods of time as big swings in temperature is dangerous as they will be unable to adjust properly to the cold.
hope this is of some help:)
 
I was going to leave mine out in the winter but i'm too nervous about it. I've just bought them in today as it's going down to 4 degrees tonight (they're afro pigs too so should be able to stay warm enough).
Unfortuantly their cage is too small and i don't have room for a larger one so i'm going to make a wire mesh pen for them which will be about 6 x 2 foot big for them to be in during the day.
 
good idea about the ceiling i might just try that
at the moments they are round the side of my house where they usually are they are against the fence but its a bit sheltered that any other part of my garden as there is a bush on the left fence behind them and the shed to the right of them and then a few yards in front is the side of my house so i think they are in the best place as in the summer they are not in direct sunlight and the hutch doesnt get too warm
if we have a cuddle its on the decking anyway
i wanted a shed but realistically its not gonna happen before this winter

i would love nothing more than to bring them indoors so unless i can make room and convince hubby other wise then they will be outdoors

they are 3 adults and always seem to huddle together in the same hidey
i may get a cardboard box to line the bedroom with to prevent draughts
i have also given them a fleece bed and blanket and been giving them alot more hay
think i will have to properly do the hutch this weekend for them before it gets any colder
bless them
ill also be getting a heatsafe pad should they be staying outdoors.
ill have to work on the husband
 
I am worrying about it as well, I added insulation and a thermometer I put in there only says 16 degrees and that's day time! Going to put them in the shed tomorrow but its so spidery and dark depressing :(
 
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