What to do? Help please

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Romily

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I am in a total dilema.

At the moment I have 8 of my piggies living out in a shed and I have noticed that after the last week a couple of the piggies have dropped weight. Not a dangerous amount but enough to catch my notice. Now I am unsure as to the best thing to do.

They have unlimited hay, plenty of places to snuggle in and an unlimited supply of delicious dried and fresh foods all designed to maintain weight.

I could bring in only those who have dropped weight which would mean dividing my herd or I could bring them all in. The problem with bringing them all in is the space I have available. They would be in a reasonable sized area but not as big as would be ideal for that number of piggies.

What do you think should be done?
 
Pretty please can I have some opinions xx
 
I'm no expert but if some are losing weight and you have the space I'd bring them in. It's very cold out there. If you have them inside you'll be better able to keep an eye out for them and see if there are any other signs of illness which has caused the weight loss.

Hope they are all well.

Lisa
 
I have read so many stories over the past few weeks pigs dying because of the weather, I would bring them in. This winter is only going to get worse.

Less space and nice warm tootsies, is much better than cold, losing weight piggies.
 
Hmmm...you could bring them in, all of them if you think you have enough space for them and keep an eye on their weights. Do you have an elecy access in the shed? You could try a heater, I know atm my boys are living in a unheated shed but the hutch is insulated and lots of hay, but I'm starting to feed them high fat/cal veggies twice a day. I don't know if that'd help? At the end of the day its up to you, and what you feel is best for them. Sorry I'm not much help, hope you figure something out soon! :)
 
flintstones said:
I have read so many stories over the past few weeks pigs dying because of the weather, I would bring them in. This winter is only going to get worse.

Less space and nice warm tootsies, is much better than cold, losing weight piggies.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I was going to say.
 
I have my 5 in a a 2x4 c and c and a friends 6 in another and her 7 in another
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it hasnt took up much space they are all small/young piggies tho but to keep them warm best to bring them in if you can the cages could of been stacked but then its difficult(not impossible) to get in it to clean/get piggies
 
I had the same problem and spoke to my vet about it a few weeks ago and he said just to make sure that I have loads & loads of hay in with them and feed them a bit more (something about when they get cold they shiver and that causes them to loose weight ...something like that but I'd read something similar on here ages ago) to compensate for what they loose.
Mine lost a fair bit of weight as soon as they went outside and I was concerned 'hence the vet call' so I started to feed a bit more food and their weight went back up, I've steddied off the increased amount of food and now they are gaining weight just not loads (even in this weather).
I wish I had an extra/spare bedroom but unfortunately I haven't so thats why I bought the shed as I thought it'd be the next best thing....feel a bit guilty now:(.
My girls can't share a bedroom because of my youngest's condition, she's awake and up & down constantly so It wouldn't be fair on my oldest.
 
Ooo thinking of food if your needing some insperation, I give mine the last of the summer kale, beetroot, sweetcorn, carrot, salad leaves, and porriage oats, and a bran..which they seem to love to gobble up, and I've been filling my lads pellet bowl to unlimited amount...though they haven't been to bothered by that haha! :) Hope you find the best option soon, and your little one's start putting on the weight. :)
 
Personally speaking, having started out with Outside Piggles, and after last winter, now having Inside Piggles, I would never have them outside again! If you have the option, I'd DEFINITELY bring them inside. Ours were in a more confined space initially, now they have a bigger enclosure, but you can spend so much more time with them. Also, from a health perspective, you can keep a close eye on them too.
Hope you make the right decision for you.
 
No i would never have them outside ever again they are much more fun and happier animal's inside they get friendly quicker too and i have seen alot more now they are inside thet i never knew they did
 
I would also bring them inside, they might have less space, but I would have thought your piggies would rather be warm and have less space than possibly be cold outside:))
 
There is nothing else I can do to make them comfortable outside, they are getting all the calorific foods available and oodles of hay and boxes etc to snuggle in. I don't know whether to just bring in the piggies that are finding it hard and leave out the ones that are coping or to bring them all in. I only have the area under the stairs in which to put them in and it is pretty full already.
 
I say bring them all in. If two can lose weight then they all could even with your best efforts to keep them cosy.

I wouldn't worry about space it is better than them becoming ill and the can have floor time?

Plus having them indoors is fun :)

Hope they are ok x
 
My lot have also lost a little space to come indoors this week

It doesn't seem to have bothered them one bit, in fact I have seen three of the four happily popcorning :)

You'll have peace of mind now too ;) I hope they gain weight again xx
 
It really doesn't matter about space ideally they should have load's but they ain't gunna die from losing abit of space! you will love having them in its a wonderful way to keep them
 
Glad they're all indoors and nice and warm, I think you did the right thing. If you'd only bought a few in and the other started loosing weight you'd of felt terrible. You can now keep a close eye on them and get extra piggy cuddles without going out in the cold :))
 
I agree that losing some space is better than them suffering health-wise. My piggies are indoor pigs which I'm happy with and seeing them laid out fast asleep on their fleece I can't imagine them being hardy outdoor pigs as they love their home comforts!

My two rabbits, as a contrast, love the snow and love their outdoor space and have been binkying about in it (and eating it too, silly things!) and though we keep worrying about them they are in good condition and would be miserable if I brought them inside.

You have to know your animals and go with your gut - good for you for bringing them in and I hope they soon put on weight and condition for you.
 
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