Keeping a shed cool

Chloe.123

Chloe.123

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi,

I'm after some shed advice. I'm seriously considering getting my piggies a shed to live in permanently. I know they will benefit from it in the winter, but what about the summer? Is there anyway to keep it cool for them?
Thanks :)
 
If you have anywhere that is always in shade, that would be great. Good insulation will also help keep heat out. Not really sure apart from that! I used to have mine in a shed but it got too hot in summer and too cold in winter so they came inside whilst we did alterations and they never went back in!
 
I agree with @Guineapigfeet - good insulation and positioning the shed where it isn't in direct sun is best.

My shed has windows on 3 sides so , on most summer days , I can manage with all the windows open . However , it gets too hot in a heatwave . If a heatwave is forecast, I move my guineas out into a room in our house that I know will keep cool .
 
My pigs are kept in a shed. We built a second door that is a wooden frame with very strong mesh panels. So on warm days I can fasten the outer door to the side of the shed with a hook lock so it doesn’t bang in the wind and have the inner mesh door fastened so it cools the shed. Also it helps to cover the windows with heavy curtains to keep the sun out. I’ll take a picture to show you the door set up
 
Guineapigfeet said:
If you have anywhere that is always in shade, that would be great. Good insulation will also help keep heat out. Not really sure apart from that! I used to have mine in a shed but it got too hot in summer and too cold in winter so they came inside whilst we did alterations and they never went back in!
Click to expand...
What did you use to insulate it? Google isnt really helping me :doh:
 
I’ve only had them since February so it hasn’t been fully winter for them yet. I found with plenty of heat pads and a blanket over the whole cage at night it kept the heat in okay. This winter I’m going to try a greenhouse heater on low to keep it warmer.
 
Chloe.123 said:
Hi,

I'm after some shed advice. I'm seriously considering getting my piggies a shed to live in permanently. I know they will benefit from it in the winter, but what about the summer? Is there anyway to keep it cool for them?
Thanks :)
[/QUOTE
I have the same problem with my one girl toffie
Although she uses the shed it is to warm I have compensated in getting a large outdoor hitch . It was a fair bit of money but worth it 💓
I have no grass so they run on wood but there are upper floors . I brought no one from pets at home :yahoo:
Click to expand...
 
DSCI1031.JPG
this is foil lined bubble wrap,it's on the walls and roof,then covered in thick cardboardDSCI1032.JPGDSCI1108.JPG.
These are two solar vents ,cut into the back wall,they draw the air out, you can set them to draw air in.Plus a fan if needed.DSCI1158.JPG
The doors and windows have inner wire doors to allow the air to move around,and helps with cooling,also outside l made a large sail awning that covers the whole of the front of the hutch. It is just coming up to a year old, and l'm very pleased with the way it's work,keeping 21
piggies cool in summer and warm in winter.
 
I have an insulated shed and to be honest the insulation doesn’t work much in my experience but you should still do it. The best thing is to have opening windows and/or a door with mesh. I feel like I’ve done something with my own shed as it gets far too hot in the summer and in the winter it’s freezing. My insulation doesn’t do a whole lot lol
 
Does anyone have a thermometer in their shed (to read internal temperature)? If so, can you recommend one please? Thanks.
 
I have lots of different types of thermometers...

I got this one from Ikea (ps it’s not in the piggy room at the moment 👍)

88A16782-F5D6-4E89-8DBE-2EE7D0429BF1.webp

I have some of these plus some Max/Min greenhouse thermometers which I bought from Wilko
 
My piggies live in a shed and when it gets really hot in the summer when I am around the garden I leave the door open. If you have other pets like dogs/cats a mesh door would probably be the best option.
Hope this helps
 
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