Should I bring the piggies inside?

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Fudge and Rainbow :)

Fudge and Rainbow :)

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My guinea pigs live in a hutch in the shed... I'm feeling very sorry for them though as they aren't getting any exercise in this cold weather. :( They sometimes get a run around the shed when the buns are free ranging but they can't go in their run. :0

Now I know that the change in temperature can be a massive problem which is why I'm asking for advice. I have a spare indoor cage. It is NOT big enough for 3 piggies but in the long run my pigs will have more space anyway because they will get to have lots of floor time in my room. I haven't been giving them floor time in my room when they're outside in the shed as the temperature for them would just keep changing.

However, if I bring them in tomorrow, have my heating turned off and the windows open, will they be ok? Then I will gradually start warming up my room over the days (or weeks). So I know the indoor cage isn't big enough but like I say they will be getting much more exercise than they are at the moment.

Thank you!
 
I don't know the answer to your question as I've never done this. Hopefully someone with more experience will come along soon. :)
 
As long as you are giving pleanty of bedding, covering them up with thick covers, keeping the hutch dry and giving heat pads (if you can they will be ok). Feed extra fiber too bran & oats to help them keep warmer. My piggys are outside piggys and are not phased at all by the snow.
 
As far as I'm aware guinea pigs don't have as much of an issue with temperature changes as rabbits do. Bringing them in for floor time as long as the room isn't very hot would be fine. They should then go back to a warm shed and there shouldn't be a problem. You can get heaters for in a shed, I plan on doing this when I eventually move my boys out. Warm it up during the day and they should be fine over the night with lots of hay and possibly a snuggle safe. I know of plenty of people who bring their pigs in for floor time without an issue.
 
How big is the indoor cage that you've got?
I understand this dilemma - it is why I now have mine free ranging in their shed. I don't bring mine inside at all during the really cold months, as I do think that guineas are very susceptible to temp changes. They are absolutely fine out in the shed, but I think that it would be unfair to bring them into a warm house, to then go back out into the cold - they would really feel it. :( Although, I guess it depends on how warm/cold your house is - I've lived in some houses where the shed would probably have been warmer...was in my student days though...I'm much more used to luxury now... ;) Could you possibly set up a run on the shed floor?
 
I'm glad you've asked this now as if the above user is correct I'll have to rethink putting my boys out. Giving them no floor time all over winter isn't really fair and I'd hate not to see them much.
If you're going to bring them in though don't do so unless they either have constant access to a small indoor run as well as the cage or you should invest in a 150 cage. Keeping them in the type of cage you're alluding to probably wouldn't be the best solution.
 
primrose said:
How big is the indoor cage that you've got?
I understand this dilemma - it is why I now have mine free ranging in their shed. I don't bring mine inside at all during the really cold months, as I do think that guineas are very susceptible to temp changes. They are absolutely fine out in the shed, but I think that it would be unfair to bring them into a warm house, to then go back out into the cold - they would really feel it. :( Although, I guess it depends on how warm/cold your house is - I've lived in some houses where the shed would probably have been warmer...was in my student days though...I'm much more used to luxury now... ;) Could you possibly set up a run on the shed floor?
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It's only 3ft x 2ft and I know a 5ft is the size needed. I can't have them on the shed floor unfortunately because with the way it's set out for the rabbits, there's no where to put one. The buns would just jump in anyway as they have a second level in their shed which they like to spring off. :))
 
Floydie said:
As long as you are giving pleanty of bedding, covering them up with thick covers, keeping the hutch dry and giving heat pads (if you can they will be ok). Feed extra fiber too bran & oats to help them keep warmer. My piggys are outside piggys and are not phased at all by the snow.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply :) It's mainly lack of exercise I'm worried about though. :(


MOC said:
I'm glad you've asked this now as if the above user is correct I'll have to rethink putting my boys out. Giving them no floor time all over winter isn't really fair and I'd hate not to see them much.
If you're going to bring them in though don't do so unless they either have constant access to a small indoor run as well as the cage or you should invest in a 150 cage. Keeping them in the type of cage you're alluding to probably wouldn't be the best solution.
Click to expand...

Thanks. :) I have an indoor pen I could attach to the front which could stay on permanently but when I'm with them they can run around my whole room?
 
How big is your hutch? Mine live in a 5ft X 2 1/4s so even though they arnt getting out in the runs i know they have lots of room to run & jump about.
 
Floydie said:
How big is your hutch? Mine live in a 5ft X 2 1/4s so even though they arnt getting out in the runs i know they have lots of room to run & jump about.
Click to expand...

Just under 5ft x 2ft for 3. :0 It used to be for 2 pigs but had to take on my friends in an urgent situation so it's not ideal. :( I'm currently on the look out for a 5ft x 2ft two tier hutch for them. :) But yeah they def need space. I could possibly set them up a 6ft x 3ft pen inside? Then they can have floor time in my whole room when I'm out?
 
In my opinion you should bring them in with the cage and a pen. It sounds like a nice amount of
space and they can have lots of cuddles from their mum. You could always save up for a bigger cage and keep them in permanently. I'm actually reconsidering putting mine out now, I can still get someone to build me hutches for inside so I might as well do that. The thought of not being able to spend floor time with them every day worries me. I have a lot of spare time and that's what I usually fill it with.

Good luck finding a solution.
 
MOC said:
In my opinion you should bring them in with the cage and a pen. It sounds like a nice amount of
space and they can have lots of cuddles from their mum. You could always save up for a bigger cage and keep them in permanently. I'm actually reconsidering putting mine out now, I can still get someone to build me hutches for inside so I might as well do that. The thought of not being able to spend floor time with them every day worries me. I have a lot of spare time and that's what I usually fill it with.

Good luck finding a solution.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I think I will bring them in :) Tomorrow though as it's too late now and I've had the heating on in my room! I will take some photos too.

Hutches inside will be great, wish I had room for that here! xx
 
mine are outside GPs . the sun was out today , so cleared snow from run , lester & wesley were absolutely chuffed to be out today , i always place a box with hay in the run , so if they not happy they can jump in . they were out for about 30 mins today and were happy to have a good munch on the grass

snow%20stuff%20011.JPG
 
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