Will My Guinea Pigs Be Warm Enough?

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Maisy and Poppy

Maisy and Poppy

Adult Guinea Pig
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Hi, my guinea pigs live outside with plenty of hay and straw, we are going to put a duvet over the sides of the cage, a scratch and newton hutch cover, plenty of hidey holes, a snugglesafe heat pad and bubble wrap over the wire mesh doors. I wondered if they will be warm enough? Also we will move them to a garage soon but as our hutch is the pets@home 2 storey one we don't want to break it by moving it so we have to unassemble everything and assemble it again to move it like 3 metres!
 
I agree with the above ^

Below temperatures outside currently are below those that piggies can stand, with worse weather coming in this weekend. It is also said to snow next week (maybe). So, sooner you can get them in a sheltered heat controlled garage the better. Or better still, indoors.
 
I think the thermometer is a good idea. If moving the piggies indoors is literally not an option then ensure no draughts are able to get into the hutch. That it's well insulated and plenty of hay! Use cardboard boxes upside down stuffed with hay to keep a smaller place to Cosy up and keep warm. Ensure no dampness is in the hutch what so ever :) draughts and damp is massive massive no no's! As long as you are monitoring the temperature with a well insulated hutch, I should imagine they could stay snug.

I've had guineas outside in winter before. They often came out their beds and cardboard hay hideys yawning and toasty! It is possible but it requires a lot of effort :)
 
Thanks, I am going to put the hutch in the garage tomorrow as my Dad finally agreed to move the hutch:)!
 
We don't have any heating but they have a heat pad and a scratch and newton hutch cover. Can you buy heat lamps, or do heat mats exist? Also would they be fine with just Aubiose in the living area and hay as well in the sleeping areas? What temperature should I put the heat pad in thier cage? When should they be brought indoors? I can only bring them indoors occasionally as @Polly and Rosie have let me bring them to thier house if it get's cold as they live on my road. @Polly and Rosie tell me to only bring them in if it is -10 degrees celcius outside but I think I should bring them in when it's-2 ish! Sorry for lots of questions!
 
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Thanks, now I feel really bad as there is nothing I can do!:( I know, I thought -10 was a bit extreme!
 
piggyfan said:
I think a good person to answer your questions is @BossHogg as he keeps his piggies outdoors.
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My piggies live in a heated shed so not really outdoors. ;) however, they are being bonded in a neutral cage in the living room at the moment, they will be moving back into the shed tomorrow. ;)
 
BossHogg said:
My piggies live in a heated shed so not really outdoors. ;) however, they are being bonded in a neutral cage in the living room at the moment, they will be moving back into the shed tomorrow. ;)
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Oops sorry. I just thought you would know more. Good luck with the bonding.
 
No worries, mine used to be outdoors with no problems. I had loads of hay to snuggle into, thick winter duvets wrapped around the hutch and covered with a waterproof tarpaulin. The hutch was built to a very high specification and covered with industrial grade heavy duty roofing felt. ;)
 
If you follow all the advice every one has already given your piggies will be fine. I am in Surrey and I kept pigs outside for many years before I got my own place. For me what was important was whatever the weather making sure you still spend time with them, ensuring they were cleaned out more often to ensure they are dry, put a sock over the water bottle when it does get very cold to stop freezing plus lots of insulation and hay :)
 
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