Snuggly Hutch

PeppermintCandy

PeppermintCandy

New Born Pup
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Hello everyone!
We’re getting two guineapigs tomorrow. I’m working on their hutch, preparing it for winter. I’ve stapled thermal foil bubble insulation to the floor with an old wipey tablecloth on top which I am going to staple over the top - will this be okay? I’m now paranoid I’m doing something I shouldn’t be. It’s making the newspaper a bit sloppy! Am also thermal bubble insulating the outside 😊
Any other tips to make it snuggly welcome. Have ordered a microwave snuggly pad and got tarp over the top whilst we wait for our new hutch hugger.
Thank you 😃
 
Well done for getting things prepared. I must add though that If they are young piggies or ones which have up until now lived indoors (such as in a pet shop), then it is now too cold for them to be put outside. The temperature fluctuation from indoors to outside is too great at this time of year. If you have the option to keep them inside until spring time, then that is best.


To keep a hutch warm you need it to be well insulated around the outside and it sounds as if you’ve done a good job getting that under way. Blankets, or old carpet over the hutch but under the hutch cover is also a good idea to Help hold any warmth in and stop the wind. A good thick, hutch cover is important also. It also ideally needs to be placed in a shed or at the very least somewhere very sheltered as piggies arent hardy and once it is below 15 degrees, cold and rainy then that isn’t good for them.

They will need a thick layer of hay everywhere in the hutch to help keep them warm. It’s good you’ve got a snugglesafe coming but you are likely to need more than one. I use the bendy wooden log bridges as hides and put a snugglesafe under each one, stuff with more hay, so they can snuggle up underneath. You will need at least one hide (with two exits so no piggy can get cornered) per piggy and therefore multiple snugglesafes are a good idea. You will also need a thermometer.
it’s also a good idea to have a plan and a spare cage to bring them indoors if you can’t keep them warm enough.

What sex are the piggies you are getting? And what size is the hutch?


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Hi and :wel:. Unfortunately it’s too late in the year to be moving then outdoors, unless that’s where they’ve been living. Could you not house them inside?
 
Hello all and thank you for the warm welcome. The guinea pigs we are adopting have already lived outdoors and are two sows. We have the double chartwell 5ft hutch. Unfortunately scratch and Newton covers are out of stock so have got tarp to keep us going. Thank you for the tip to get another Snuggle pad and another house, I have bought them a wooden house to go inside the bedroom area but sounds like I might need another? I did wonder if I should staple the bubble insulation to the roof of the wooden house hut did wonder if they might pull it down? I also wondered if I could cover the house in fleece? It’s quite a solid hides house. Thanks again for the warm no judgment welcome, we are doing our best to get it right so will take it all on board 😀
 
I have my piggies outside and put a bath mat/fleece on top of their hides. But you can’t use fleece as bedding because it won’t stay dry enough now it’s colder. Lots and lots of hay to keep them warm. And two hides as they may not (always) want to share.
 
Yes you Will need another. You need to have multiple of every item.
a 5ft hutch is good for two sows and the chart well hutches are nice.

I wouldn’t put insulation on the hidey because they will eat it.

the issue with fleece outside is that it can absorb moisture from the air and remain wet - you’d need to be careful. I put fleece over my hideys but my boys live in my shed so don’t have the issues with moisture as would possibly be the case if they are completely outside.
 
Thank you ☺️Will the insulation on the floor be safe under the newspaper? I thought it was a good idea but keep worrying about everything!
 
PeppermintCandy said:
Thank you ☺Will the insulation on the floor be safe under the newspaper? I thought it was a good idea but keep worrying about everything!
Click to expand...

So you’ve put insulation and then a wipe clean tablecloth on top of it, and then newspaper on top of that?
if so and it’s all well covered, then hopefully they won’t be able to get to insulation but you’ll have to keep an eye on it. they are very inquisitive creatures and could rummage through and find and chew it.
Just make sure you completely stuff the hutch fully with hay
 
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