New Guinea pigs, first time nerves

[kermitswife]

Got two boars about 9 months old last week, had been planning to get rescue but friend of friend of friend needed to re-home these guys and I was silly enough to watch a video and fall for them big time.

But oh my goodness is there internet advice contradictory and confusing. First night i was up checking then all night then worried they were cold, immediately bought a snuggle save heat pad which they have ignored. Then yesterday was worried they would be too hot!

They like time on lawn, currently have an open top pen so need to be with them at all times. I've just been leaving hitch door open when I'm about to supervise. One is very keen to be out other more timid.

Question - can I leave door open when great is still slightly damp with dew in morning or at dusk? They can choose to go in... Or is it still to risky?

I'm getting a closed top pen with idea that they could have free access but not worried they won't realise if grass is too damp for them.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum

Yes, there is a lot of contradictory advice. We aim to clear that up though! Do ask any questions you have.

I’m assuming from this that they are living in an outdoor hutch. Are they used to living outside?
The fact they ignored the snugglesafe means they were probably warm enough. Don’t forget though that you will need two heatpads if they are going to stay out in winter - the rule with boars is lots of space and two of everything so there is less risk of bickering.

If the grass is damp, then no they should not be on it - it can risk UTIs. The guide is that you need to be able to stand on the grass with bare feet and not feel damp and to not need a jumper (if you’re comfy in a t-shirt) then that is fine for them to be out. Keep them locked in until the grass is dry, all the time making sure the hutch isn’t getting too hot. Keeping piggies outdoors in summer is hard work - my piggies live in a shed and summer is a constant battle with the heat. Do you have a thermometer in the hutch? If not, then definitely get one so you can monitor when it’s too warm for them to be outside. Of course the same applies in winter, knowing when it’s too cold.

Are they used to having access to grass? If they are not, then any grass time needs to be built up slowly so it doesn’t cause digestive troubles. This also applies to every spring after a winter without being able to be on the grass - slowly build up every year.

Even with a closed top pen, it is still advised that they are supervised ie don’t go out for the day and leave them on grass.

New Owners' Essential Information and Practical Tips Starter Collection

 

[kermitswife]

Thanks for the reply. I wanted to see how they settled in and work out what we needed.... Considering a shed long-term.

They came with the hutch and indoor cage. So thought longer to keep them in something familiar at least at very beginning.

They don't seem to want to be out in sunny warm bit of the day preferring to be out at dawn and dusk when grass potentially damp. Feels mean to lock them away but interesting about the UTI think....I thought damp grass was issued for bumblefoot. Such alot if things you worry about doing wrong!

 

[kermitswife]

With open top pen we have potential urban foxes so I need to be in garden or kitchen. Hoping with closed top pen could be in other rooms in house at least

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thats why we will help you through!

So are they currently living indoors or outdoors? If there’s foxes I guess you are keeping them in at night but the hutch is for daytime use when you’re there.

Piggies are crepuscular which means they are naturally more active at dawn and dusk, and of course that does coincide with grass being damp. They prefer to hide away at the warmest part of the day.
Provided the cage is big enough - that is ideally 180x60cm /6ft (150x60cm /5ft as a minimum) for boars, then it’s not mean to keep them in the cage as they have plenty of space. Any smaller of a cage than those measurements and they would ideally need new cage anyway.
(My piggies are still in their shed at the moment and will remain there for another few hours until the damp goes drop the grass)

A shed is always a very good idea (particularly for winter) if you intend on them being outdoors all the time while also having the ability to bring them indoors if a shed gets too hot. You‘d obviously need to make sure they were very well protected from determined foxes though. A safe shed also provides the ability to exercise in winter (outdoor piggies can’t be brought into the house in winter due to the extreme temperature fluctuations so if they are in a hutch outside, then getting exercise time can become difficult).

 

[kermitswife]

Thanks.
Currently have a pop up inside play pen bought after seeing on here, go in here when I'm cleaning hutch. Can go in if temperature was too hot or cold.

Fairly large inside cage- I haven't measured it but think is around 150 long looks slightly more than 60 wide. This I'm currently not using.
Hutch, fully enclosed with wooden floor two storey but too small at only W162 x D71.5cm again not measured but from website selling) which I know needs replacing ASAP but seemed kinder you let settle in familiar hutch. They do access both levels which I had thought they might not and had been looking at a fastr longer single storey hutch originally.

Then flexible fencing to create pens in daytime, which so far has been mainly free access for 4-6 hours as I've WFH etc

They are outside almost all the time, I have slightly less common room layout amd sleep immediately next to open patio doors they are right by me at night and I've put motion detection light on facing out and pen panels immediately enclosing hutch at night so I'm sure they are safe.

Currently trying to decide if I want to replace with fancy hutch and build lean to/verandah type shelter over and keep next to house or if a shed is better idea but would be further away in garden. Thought better to make decision when had seen practicalities as internet advice contradictory with people ordering different set ups and they came very suddenly when I wasn't expecting. Have didn't time since rigging up tarps etc to give

 

[Piggies&buns]

In terms of hutch/veranda set up vs shed set up either would be fine. Both provide you with somewhere dry to stand to tend to clean, then clean out, spend time with them.

A hutch/veranda could provide slightly less winter protection but it depends on the situation of your house etc, how you would build the veranda etc. The hutch would need to be fully insulated including thermal and waterproof covers.
You would want to get them used to being cleaned out while they are still in the hutch. You can’t bring them into the house for playpen time in winter as the temperature fluctuation is too great and can make them ill.

A shed makes things easier given it is four sides and a roof. Mine are in a shed but still have hutches inside the shed in winter as keeping a hutch warm is much easier than keeping a whole shed warm. My shed itself and the hutches are insulated. Unfortunately I dont have electric in my shed so all that insulation is important.
It also means they can exercise on the shed floor in winter and still remain dry and warm. That obviously wouldn’t be possible with a hutch/veranda set up and they would have to be in their hutch all winter.

Your goal for winter is to keep them out of wind and rain and in a space above 15 degrees (they are most comfortable between 18 and 22 degrees). In summer they need to be in a space below 25 degrees.