No room for pigs in new place

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migi

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I have three girl guinea pigs living in a 2X7 C&C cage in their own room.

However circumstances have changed and we now have to move to a much smaller place - that there is absolutely no room for the guinea pigs inside. This has come up out of the blue - only all happened in the last two days.

So I either can house them outside, which I’m terrified to do as they’ve always been inside, so don’t know how they will do being outside and aswell it’s in the countryside so a lot of other animals around etc. Or else I could rehome them, which I feel terrible about even considering but I need to do what’s best for them.

I love having them inside as I go in and out to them all the time and interacting with them easily due to the open top cage.

I’m so stressed about this, in tears with even thinking of doing a house move as we are due to have our first baby in 6 weeks and I’ve no idea how it can work as it’s much smaller and no room for my piggies

I got them a year ago when they were babies, really did not think that this would happen, and now I’m super stressed

What to do?
 
I am so sorry you are having to deal with all of this.
It sounds like a very stressful situation and it is good you are being realistic and considering all the options.

Firstly do you have an appropriate space and hutch for them if they were to move outside?
Can you find somewhere near the house and sheltered to keep them?
If so you could always give this option a try in the short term and see how you get on.

But remember there is no shame in admitting that your circumstances have changed (which is outside of your control) and that looking into rehoming them may be the better option for you and the piggies.
Caring for outdoor piggies can be a challenge, and with a new baby on the way this is something you need to be realistic about.

Maybe you could also contact a local rescue and talk about things with them?
We have many members on here who have had to regime piggies for various reasons, and you will receive our full support whatever you decide to do.
 
migi said:
I have three girl guinea pigs living in a 2X7 C&C cage in their own room.

However circumstances have changed and we now have to move to a much smaller place - that there is absolutely no room for the guinea pigs inside. This has come up out of the blue - only all happened in the last two days.

So I either can house them outside, which I’m terrified to do as they’ve always been inside, so don’t know how they will do being outside and aswell it’s in the countryside so a lot of other animals around etc. Or else I could rehome them, which I feel terrible about even considering but I need to do what’s best for them.

I love having them inside as I go in and out to them all the time and interacting with them easily due to the open top cage.

I’m so stressed about this, in tears with even thinking of doing a house move as we are due to have our first baby in 6 weeks and I’ve no idea how it can work as it’s much smaller and no room for my piggies

I got them a year ago when they were babies, really did not think that this would happen, and now I’m super stressed

What to do?
Click to expand...

Hi

I am ever sorry about the sudden unexpected change of circumstances at such a difficult time in life.

Could you think about keeping your piggies in an insulated shed where you can still sit and interact with them out of the weather every day but where they are safe from predators and cold weather? Although I would recommend to have a small hospital cage you can put together in case of really bad storms or extreme heat when they are safer indoors; seeing that the weather extremes will get worse. Your piggies can cope with a short term small space.

Quite a few members on here have opted for a shed over a hutch if they are unable to keep their piggies indoors and should be able to help you with practical tips if you have space for one.

This would also mean that you can hang onto your beloved girls and give them the space they are used to.
Have you got somewhere who would look after them until you can sort out something if needed?
 
I am so sorry to hear of your situation.
My boys live in my shed, also with a hutch inside the shed (I also have three outdoor rabbits) and I am more than happy to help with advice on keeping them outside if that is what you decide to do.
 
I am very sorry for the position you have found yourself in.

Before we moved to our current house, I had to keep my piggies outside as there was just no room for them indoors. First in an insulated hutch and then a shed. As already mentioned, could you buy a shed for your piggies that you can sit in an interact with them? @Siikibam moved her piggies from inside to outside and they are perfectly fine
 
So sorry you find yourself in this situation.
Luckily spring is on its way and becoming the right time of year at least for moving them outside as the weather gets warmer. Guinea pigs can live a healthy life outside provided they have a good secure hutch, plenty of hay to hide in and a sheltered spot from wind and rain with a good well fitting cover. You could keep them out over the summer and by then you may find you are settled and organised and can actually find the space for them inside or perhaps buy a second hand shed which you can keep them in x
 
So sorry for your situation.
Life does deal us some rough times.
I can only echo the advice already given.
Hope everything works out for you.
 
I’m so sorry your circumstances have forced you to move your girls outside. I have three who loves outside in the summer of…2020 if I remember correctly. They lived inside for 2-3 years but I had to move them out as they were affecting my children (and myself though I could tolerate it). I miss them more than they likely miss us, but they love living out there. My husband and brother-in-law built a sturdy hutch which I then insulated and lined.

It’s hard having to go outside when it’s cold, so if you could put a hutch inside a shed then that would be better for you. However, you’ll also have a small baby to take care of so do think about how much would be too much. I am sure whatever decision you make will be the right one for all of you.
 
Just to cheer you up a bit, I'm trying to do the opposite! For the first time I am having to keep my guinea pigs indoor 24/7 and I hate it! It feels unnatural and unhealthy, and I am just 'waiting' for it's effect on their health, expecting bladder problems etc any minute!

I would even have loved the younger ones to go to an outdoor home, though sadly having been separated out in order to come indoors, I'm not convinced they would fit back into a herd so easily which is what was wanted. (Though I have kept herds before, I didn't build them up from bought in adults so am dubious about it, perhaps wrongly.)

So I've got hutches, runs etc, and my poor souls are stuck indoors and I'm sad about that, so no need to feel guilty if you put yours outside!
 
Hello. I’ve had outdoor piggies (4 separate hutches) and let’s be honest it’s no fun cleaning them out in bad weather. I’ve also housed them in a shed which was much better and now I have a hutch in my garage which is fabulous. Also add into the equation a new baby and I think you will find it hard to make time for them and your new family needs. It’s so much easier on you when they are inside. Good luck with whatever decision you make.
 
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