Winter housing

[Hall]

Hi. I have had my two boars for a couple of months and they are in an outside hutch. We have just bought them a duplex so they have more space as they won't be coming out into the run as much as the weather continues to get worse.

This forum has helped so much with information and I have bought them each a snuggle sack, two fleece lined tunnels; one for the top section and one for the bottom section. I have also bought some Vetbed as currently we are using lose stuff that goes everywhere.

They also have a cover for the hutch.

So my question is will they be ok being left out during the winter with all this padding etc. or should they be moved into the garage? The only difference between outside and the garage is that they will be out of the elements i.e. rain, wind and snow but it will still be cold in the garage.

I'm thinking that the garage will be the best option but would be interested to hear what the experienced piggy lovers.

 

[aalur]

i have all mine indoors, but if they were outdoors, they would be in the garage

 

[nutmeg]

You are right. Whilst the garage is still cold, your guineas will be out of the wind and rain. They will still need to be covered with a sleeping bag or something all round the hutch to keep the cold out at nights. You may need to cover the water bottles with socks to stop it freezing. If if does get so cold as the water is freezing, even in the garage, you really will need to consider bringing them in just for the worst times, or overnight. By doing this though, you have to be careful not to have changing temperatures. They could just go into an unheated room in your house, even if it is in a smaller temporary cage. Better that they are in a smaller cage than freezing in the garage, in the very worst of the weather. x

 

[flips]

As the cold weather questions have cropped up quite a bit this week (can't imagine why...brrrrrr....), I was wondering if someone (maybe nutmeg rolleyes) could start a new thread with cold weather tips. The hot weather one was really helpful and great for directing people to.

|)

 

[nutmeg]

As the cold weather questions have cropped up quite a bit this week (can't imagine why...brrrrrr....), I was wondering if someone (maybe nutmeg rolleyes) could start a new thread with cold weather tips. The hot weather one was really helpful and great for directing people to.

|)

I will try and sort out the cold weather tips, that I gave out as part of adoption packs, and put it on a thread. Although I don't keep any guinea pigs outside, so others who do use sheds and garages, will probably be able to contribute lots too. xx