Out door piggies; when is it too cold to put them in the run.

[Beryl Ann]

Have any of you put piggies out when under 5 degrees? Today is dry, sunny, no wind and before today I have been laying fleece so they are not in direct contact with dry but cold block paving. I have been putting them out around 7 degrees with seemingly no detriment; they have been warm with warm ears on return to the hutch but it is around 2/3 degrees today.

 

[Beryl Ann]

I have 6 piggies; 2 Rex and four white crested. All over 6 months.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I personally don’t put mine out at all now it’s this late in the year. They last went out into the run at the beginning of October. They are most comfortable between 18 and 20 degrees.
(But (and mine are in a shed so play in there during the day anyway) my paved area is mostly in shade at this time of year so would be far too cold. The grass is constantly wet now so wouldn’t put them on there anyway)

 

[Claire W]

I personally wouldn’t put them out now until next Spring. It’s cold and the ground will be cold and damp

 

[Betsy]

I haven't put mine outside since mid September and they won't go outside again until Spring when it's warm enough for me to go outside in a T shirt and not feel cold.

 

[Siikibam]

If you’re not warm in a t-shirt then it’s not warm enough for them. That’s the gauge. I wouldn’t be putting them out this late into the year.

 

[teddymouse]

My herd are still having outside time,from about 10.30am till 2,-2.30pm ldo not force them to go out, infact some will poke their nose out,and tell me weren't go,lol other will have a quick wander round the yards, and other will stay out till l call them in to bed, if its wet are freezing the bole hole will stay shut.

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Mine definitely are not up for going out, even with a heated shed, carpet flooring, they like to snuggle up...perhaps they are just a little pampered?

 

[Siikibam]

Mine definitely are not up for going out, even with a heated shed, carpet flooring, they like to snuggle up...perhaps they are just a little pampered?

Rod and back

 

[Andy_R]

My herd are still having outside time,from about 10.30am till 2,-2.30pm ldo not force them to go out, infact some will poke their nose out,and tell me weren't go,lol other will have a quick wander round the yards, and other will stay out till l call them in to bed, if its wet are freezing the bole hole will stay shut.

As a follow up to this, are guinea pigs sensible/clever enough not to go out even when the opportunity is available as they know its too cold?

 

[teddymouse]

As a follow up to this, are guinea pigs sensible/clever enough not to go out even when the opportunity is available as they know its too cold?

YES,!(in my opinion)

 

[Beryl Ann]

My herd are still having outside time,from about 10.30am till 2,-2.30pm ldo not force them to go out, infact some will poke their nose out,and tell me weren't go,lol other will have a quick wander round the yards, and other will stay out till l call them in to bed, if its wet are freezing the bole hole will stay shut.

Thank you this has helped. My piggies are outdoor all year round piggies so more hardened to cooler temps unlike indoor piggies. However I don't have a clever system like yours to give them the choice and I agree with you they are well able to judge for themselves as they would in the wild. Its back to the feel of the day again I think for me then. As I have said windless, sunny 7/8 + degrees they have already been out in and have been active, eating and seemingly fine with the dry, fleeced flooring. Anything less than that I'll keep them in the hutch.