moving pigs outside :-(

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bemr

bemr

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Hi all,

Hoping I can get some advice. I currently have my 4 piglets that have lived inside since they were 6 weeks old. Due to a change in my circumstances I have to move back to my parents, they've agreed I can take them with me but they have to live outside. They've never lived outside before but have obviously been out in the summer for a run. I've ordered them a new wooden hutch to live in but I'm concerned they'll be cold. There is no shed or garage for them to be in.
Could you give me some help on how to keep them safe and warm?

Thanks
 
Hello and welcome to the forum! :))

What size hutch have you ordered for them?

There is some really useful information (( On Cold Weather Care )) here for you.

I use a (( Snugglesafe Heatpad )) for my rabbits - for 4 piggies I'd say that you'd probably need two. You microwave them and they last a really long time.

Other things people do is have a good quality hutch cover which will keep heat in and drafts out. People alse use tarpaulins with a duvet in-between over the hutch for night-time. To acclimatise your pigs they really need to be out a.s.a.p so that the cold weather isn't too much of a shock to their system.

Tons of hay in a hidey they can snuggle up in will also help. I'm not far from you at all - I work in Chesterfield lol.
 
Hanlou said:
Hello and welcome to the forum! :))

I use a (( Snugglesafe Heatpad )) for my rabbits - for 4 piggies I'd say that you'd probably need two. You microwave them and they last a really long time.
Click to expand...

I found a snugglesafe alternative just recently which is a lot cheaper - they are sold on ebay by a wildlife rescue too so any profit goes to charity. They do not contain toxic substances. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microwave-Heat-Pad-Mat-Micro-Hottie/281164583215?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D17233%26meid%3D1489946991194244215%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D8045%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D290776551399%26

could be useful for keeping your piggies warm in the chilly weather.
 
Mine live outside in an outbuilding. They have duvets and sleeping bags over them as well as hay and soft short straw for bedding. I also have snugglesafe heat pads per pig :)
 
Hi everyone :)
Thanks so much for your replies. The hutch is 4ft x 2ft. One tier for each set of two boys. It's smaller than what they're used to unfortunately :(
I've insulated it so far, made the housing boxes a little lower in height so they can be packed full of hay. I've also just ordered them snugglesafes. During the night they'll have a duvet over the hutch as well as the waterproof cover. I'm just hoping they'll be okay.
Hanlou - thanks for the link. I'll have another read through to make sure I've not missed anything. Where abouts in chesterfield do you work? They'll be moving into their new home on Sunday.
 
It all sounds good! :))

I work at the Tourist Information Centre - opposite the Crooked Spire Church. x
 
Hanlou said:
It all sounds good! :))

I work at the Tourist Information Centre - opposite the Crooked Spire Church. x
Click to expand...

They're outside now :) they seem happy enough. My step dad is going to insulate it a bit more over the weekend and at night they're covered with a foil blanket and a duvet at night. But when it rains the duvet obviously gets damp and I'm looking for an alternative idea.

In the information centre? Might nip in one day :)
 
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