Outside housing

[Natasha3589]

So my partner and I have decided to try for another baby...meaning we need the spare room back. Our house is small so we need the space and I don't wanna give my pigs away without trying all sources first :-(

I was wondering if pigs can stay outside permantly? If so, does anyone know of any good hutches? How often do you clean outdoor pigs and what do i use as bedding?

If this can't be done I'm goin to have to sell them I think, if anyone would like to take them on? X

 

[Siikibam]

Yes they can be kept outside permanently. It’s advised you don’t put them Out till it’s 15c, if I remember correctly. If you do a search, or go to this thread to see which hutches people have.

I’m looking to move our piggies outside too, due to potential allergies on my part. Kids (and me) are disappointed but needs must

 

[cavylover2002]

Is there any other rooms in your house? Like laundry room, living room, foyer, kitchen...etc where they could go?
If you want to transition your guinea pigs outside, you should begin by taking them out for an hour or so each day so that they get use to it. Yes, outside living is still a great option for guinea pigs and offers them plenty of space!
If you do decide to rehome your guinea pig, make sure you list a fee (instead of giving them away for free) to make sure they have a good home!
Also, consider the type of care they'll have. Will someone be taking care of them if you are pregnant and aren't up to getting outside as much? Unless, you will still be able to care for them.
Let us know what you decide.

 

[Betsy]

I have my piggies outside permanently. As said earlier you need to acclimatise them to living outside. I certainly wouldn't be putting house piggies out right now. Wait until it is at least 15 degrees at night (usually around May). I have this Chartwell Double Hutches for my piggies as I have 5 of them and need the extra space a top layer gives but you can get single storey Chartwell Hutches too from the same place. I also have Hutch Snuggles with Bye Bye Fly Screen™ and Hutch Hugger™ for my hutch and leave them on all year round. I use puppy pads and hay as bedding. I found that the newspaper got very soggy and disgusting. I use reusable washable ones on the bottom and disposable ones in the top as I have to cut them creatively cos of the hole where the ramp goes down. I put carpet on the ramp so that my piggies have grip on it so can use it easily.

In the winter they have lots of warm fleecy lined snuggle sacks, snuggle tubes, and lots and lots and more lots of hay, hay, hay to keep them warm and to eat. They also have a snugglesafe each. They are happy and healthy piggies. When the nights start to draw in, their thick winter pyjama fur starts to replace their thin summer frocks and they moult ALOT.

 

[PiggyPoo]

I have two outdoor piggies and got my advice from Betsy as above. I do still have an indoor cage for when it’s really cold because I can’t bare it and they’re mollycoddled. If it’s too cold for me to spend time outside with them, they come in so they’re not neglected. It’s important to climatise them so they don’t go into shock.

I have the same hutch and covers as Betsy which cost around £250 in total but it’s a really good hutch and worth it in the long run. Xx

 

[Lady Kelly]

I can only agree with the above (my piggies are permanently outdoors). I do have a back up of the garage if it gets particularly bad (such as 2017's beast from the east). Other members on here also have piggy sheds that the hutches sit inside which can help them keep warmer too.

 

[Vanessa131]

I have similar to everyone else really.

Two boys in a pah bluebell hutch, in the winter I only use the bottom level and I block off the stair hole, one area i easier to heat. I have a thick layer of newspaper on the floor, with disposable puppy pads on top, then loads of hay.

I have three snuggle safes, two in hides and one in their favourite eating area, as i have them under hay I remove the fleece cover.

I have perspex made to measure covers on all of the wired area of the cage, they do have breathe holes to let moisture out.

On the outside, underneath the floor and the roof I have insulating board from B&Q stuck on. I then have a cover made from foil bubble wrap and tape, then on top of this I have a rain cover.

I have drilled a hole in the back of my hutch as the hutch is against the house, so I’m thinking of drilling a hole in the house so I can pop a tube shed heater in the hutch.

 

[Darcey15]

Hi Natasha,

Yes they can be kept outside, and depending on whether you are going for a hutch, or converting a shed as well as a run, you'll just need to ensure they are warm enough in the colder months (lots of bedding & insulation) as well as safe from predators.

I have just had to create a new space outside as our utility room is being converted so my pigs cant be in there anymore. They were always outdoor pigs in the day & I brought them in at night but now, they go from the run during the day to a shed which I've converted just for them. Not sure if you have a shed you can use but it does make things much easier as all your stuff in in one place & you can fully insulate it.

I've literally just finished creating their new home & will post pics when I get chance. Loads of ideas on here & pinterest too.

Best of luck x

 

[Natasha3589]

So I couldn't face keeping them outside and we didn't hav the space in the sitting room so....I've made this for the pigs instead

 

[Alice._.]

So my partner and I have decided to try for another baby...meaning we need the spare room back. Our house is small so we need the space and I don't wanna give my pigs away without trying all sources first :-(

I was wondering if pigs can stay outside permantly? If so, does anyone know of any good hutches? How often do you clean outdoor pigs and what do i use as bedding?

If this can't be done I'm goin to have to sell them I think, if anyone would like to take them on? X

My guinea pigs live outside permanently in a cage in a shed. They go outside every day in a run to get grass time. Inside their cages they have vetbed and some heated pads to keep them warm when it's chilly.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Please can everyone be aware that it is too cold for piggies to go in a run on the grass in the UK at present, even if they are outdoor pigs. This advice from Wiebke should show as a warning in the top banner:

Please do not put indoors guinea pigs on the lawn when it is still cold and damp to your own naked feet and get them used to eating fresh grass gradually first! Tips in this guide here: Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time