When should I make winter preparations?

[rabbitdan]

I have been thinking about the winter this week.

I don't want to be caught out with not having anything when the cold arrives.

I have got a tarp to go over the hutch and a snugglesafe heater but that is it. I am not sure what else to use?
When should I start using them?

Moving them inside or in a shed is not an option either.

 

[twiams]

Well it's hard to say when the weather is always so different and can never be predicted, it's just a case of your judgement for where you live, if you feel it's a little chilly then when you start putting more coats and jumpers on, make sure you give the pigs a little something to keep them warm to !
Especially when the frost starts setting in, i know alot of people on the forum post when they take there pigs in and there's always weather warnings on the forum for bad weather that needs piggies in (:

You could try putting thick blankets underneath the tarp for insulation and also putting more hay and things in there for them to cuddle up in and stay warm !

 

[rabbitdan]

Well it's hard to say when the weather is always so different and can never be predicted, it's just a case of your judgement for where you live, if you feel it's a little chilly then when you start putting more coats and jumpers on, make sure you give the pigs a little something to keep them warm to !
Especially when the frost starts setting in, i know alot of people on the forum post when they take there pigs in and there's always weather warnings on the forum for bad weather that needs piggies in (:

You could try putting thick blankets underneath the tarp for insulation and also putting more hay and things in there for them to cuddle up in and stay warm !

I will definately be putting more straw in their bedroom as we move into the colder months.

 

[Saffie]

I find myself more fortunate to live by the sea rather than in the countryside, so the temperature here doesn't drop as harshly.
The weather can be unpredictable but I keep an eye on the metoffice for weather warnings to take action for and I make my main preparations in October, because that's when our weather goes downhill.

It does suck not being able to bring them though...

 

[Claire W]

Fleeces, fleece beds and cosies are great for piggies to snuggle up in

 

[Pebble]

The general rule of thumb is that if the day/night temperature varies by more than 10deg C you need to ensure your piggies get extra insulation/keep warm at night. Sudden big variations in temperature render them prone to infection.

By beginning of October you will see night-time temperatures dropping to 4-6 deg C -by then, they should be indoors/into the shed with plenty of insulation.

However this years weather is all over the place so if you have a sudden drop over a 24hr period (such as we had in Sussex last week when it went down to 6deg C- which is still August for goodness sake!) - then please monitor your piggies carefully over the next week for signs of a respiratory infection. This applies even if they are indoor piggies - unless (like me) you wacked the central heating on for a bit to stabilise the house temperature for them!

x

 

[rabbitdan]

The general rule of thumb is that if the day/night temperature varies by more than 10deg C you need to ensure your piggies get extra insulation/keep warm at night. Sudden big variations in temperature render them prone to infection.

By beginning of October you will see night-time temperatures dropping to 4-6 deg C -by then, they should be indoors/into the shed with plenty of insulation.

However this years weather is all over the place so if you have a sudden drop over a 24hr period (such as we had in Sussex last week when it went down to 6deg C- which is still August for goodness sake!) - then please monitor your piggies carefully over the next week for signs of a respiratory infection. This applies even if they are indoor piggies - unless (like me) you wacked the central heating on for a bit to stabilise the house temperature for them!

x

Ok thank you. I also don't want to start too early, so they cope with the much colder weather.