Perfect Outdoor Piggy Setup?

[Lulu's Piggies]

Hi Piggy Fanatics,
I wanted to describe Max and Reggie's setup so the experts can pick up on anything we might be able to improve on!
This autumn we built them a fully insulated shed with lino flooring to make cleaning easier. The shed has a large window for daylight which we plan to cover with a large shade in summer. It has a 'piggy flap' at low level so they can have total freedom during the day and we can keep them safe at night. There is also a human door for feeding, cleaning etc.
We have snuggle pads for them which we heat up once in the morning, and once at night, and they have lots of boxes and bedding and hay and blankets to keep them warm.
The shed feels much warmer and more stable than the outside temperature and they seem very happy in it.
Obviously it's been very cold recently, but we didn't bring them inside as we were worried about making them too hot suddenly. Is there anything we should be looking out for in terms of health affects of being outdoor piggies?
They certainly don't seem to be suffering at all. They always zoom out at top speed when they hear the gate latch as they know it means I'm picking a fresh bunch of grass from down the lane!
Can I also assume we don't need to worry as much about grass intake in spring because they have it all year round?
We want them to be as free and happy as they can be while they are with us, and despite their large roaming space they are quite tame and always come when we call

 

[Piggies&buns]

It sounds fine in general - it may be easier if you can add some pictures though

Do you have a thermometer in there so you can keep an eye on what is actually happening?

Is the piggy flap providing access outside? If so then at this time of year they should not be allowed outside/onto grass. It’s too cold for any outside time from the end of September/beginning of October until April/May. Keep them locked up in the shed where it is warm during the winter months

While their gut will be used to grass, Spring grass is rich so you do still need to be careful with their access to it at that time of year

 

[Lulu's Piggies]

Hi @Piggies&buns
Yes the flap is shut to keep them warm, and I don't think they'd want to go out at the moment! I've attached some pics. The window is tri-wall and seems to keep the heat quite well. They have a kind of 'nest' area that is covered in many blankets and snuggle pads inside. I checked this morning and it is quite toasty inside there.
Can you recommend good thermometers? We had one but I didn't trust it!

 

[Piggies&buns]

I use just a normal plastic greenhouse type of thermometer.
I don’t know how they work but I know some people use digital ones connected to their phones so they are constantly monitored.

Personally, I use shavings and meadow hay all over my shed floor so they can fully snuggle into hay. I would not use any kind of fabric bedding outside due to it being at risk of not drying properly if the space is not fully and constantly heated.
I do use blankets over to the top or their cages though.

 

[Lulu's Piggies]

Ok that's a good tip - we've been stuffing the hay into their snuggle areas but can definitely just put it everywhere. Also frees up more blankets for warmth on top!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Make sure you add shaving underneath the hay for absorbency

 

[Piggies&buns]

Are you planning on them being out there year round?
I’m only asking as keeping them cool in summer in a shed is usually a lot harder than keeping them warm in winter. Sheds can become dangerous quite quickly. I have mesh internal doors on my shed so I can keep the external solid doors open for ventilation while still keeping them protected. But they generally have a few weeks in the height of summer where they have to be completely removed from the shed as it just doesn’t cool down enough even overnight at times.

 

[Lulu's Piggies]

Are you planning on them being out there year round?
I’m only asking as keeping them cool in summer in a shed is usually a lot harder than keeping them warm in winter. Sheds can become dangerous quite quickly. I have mesh internal doors on my shed so I can keep the external solid doors open for ventilation while still keeping them protected. But they generally have a few weeks in the height of summer where they have to be completely removed from the shed as it just doesn’t cool down enough even overnight at times.

We will use the shed but it will be shaded by a sail and door kept open etc for ventilation. When the temperature got too hot last summer we brought them into our utility room (which wasn't ideal practically but is much cooler in summer heat).
Luckily it's under some very big trees so it doesn't feel too exposed to the heat.