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Small pets

PIGS!

10 replies

elvislives2012 · 01/08/2016 17:06

What's new in the world of piggies? I had Guinea pigs for years and years and then haven't had them for years and years. Getting some rescue ones this week (hopefully). I've bought a nice cage and a separate run.
When I was younger we used to clean them out weekly and use newspapers, sawdust and hay for bedding. Does that sound right? Or should I use straw?
Anything else I need to think of? We used to keep them outside in the hutch all year round and out them in the shed over winter. Is that ok? Or should they be in the house during winter?
Thanks a lot.
So exciting!

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elvislives2012 · 01/08/2016 20:55

Bump

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welliesandwine · 01/08/2016 21:08

Its been a couple of years since we had piggies (although seriously tempted by George who is up for adoption locally !!) but ours were in a hutch in the garden (sawdust and hay) then in a run during the daytime when we were about.
They the went into the shed in deepest winter but came out for a run about in shed/run.
My friend has House Pigs though !
Good luck (bit jealous!)

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elvislives2012 · 01/08/2016 21:17

Thank you. Think that's what I'll do. I'm so excited. You should definitely get George!

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welliesandwine · 01/08/2016 21:31

I am seriously tempted! Have no hutch or anything though and I have promised DH no more animals
Trying to persuade House Piggy Friend to have him

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FernieB · 01/08/2016 22:00

Mine are just on newspaper with hay in their igloos. I clean them out most days by just rolling up the paper - very quick and easy. Sawdust can cause irritation in pigs. They really need cleaning out a lot as they pee rivers. I've never known such mucky animals.

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elvislives2012 · 02/08/2016 08:23

Oh really? And that's enough? Just newspaper? Are they in or out?

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FernieB · 02/08/2016 14:26

Mine are indoor pigs but they do go out in their run whenever they can. I've found just using newspaper to be the easiest option (I have an endless supply via neighbours and friends) and a lot less messy than having to sweep up sawdust or wood shavings.

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 02/08/2016 22:21

The pigs I had when I was a child (from 9yo to 22yo) were a different breed altogether. . They were Rough'n'Tough'n'Bad Enough.

They seem to have evolved over the years to have beautiful textured coats and colours (I covet a Californian.......) but at a cost of losing the essence of Common or Garden Cavy.

We have three smooths (one is crested) a Teddy and a long silky furred .

When I clean their houses (every day) I ask them "Who are these mythical piggies that can go a week between cleaning".
Not us, they chorus.

At the moment we have a good layer of Ecobale (equine chopped cardboard) on top of cardboard and newspaper.
Inside their sleeping areas they have either Ecobale or wood catlitter (small animal friendly) and newspaper , then hay.
In summer they have enough to eat and shredded card to sleep in.
In winter they have deep hay to sleep/eat and soft barley straw as a base to insulate (not for baby piggies though)

Are you looking for boars or sows?
Boars have character in spades and IMO are more cuddly .
We have a neutered boar (DDs pig) and 4 sows. The sows are feisty and smart.
The boar erm........... well I stood the floor tile (they sit on it to cool themselves) against the wall and he tried to squeeze himself behind it. His little rump and legs poking out then "Wheek" (Mum, I'm stuck) till DD rescued him.

Our pigs have their Pighouse (wooden playhouse with clever adaptations for Pig Living)
Two runs (one 7 x4 feet) with a wooden house inside and one 4x4 feet with a rabbit hutch attatched. Run+Summer house for each group.

In winter they sleep in the small bedroom , I have an indoor 4x2 cage that they squeezed into (as a trio) but this year I have 3+2 so I'm going to do something clever with C&C.

I am considering this winter letting them stay in the Pighouse (with a heater) but TBH, I like having them inside when it's rough weather.
Something cosy about us all being tucked up and the pigs in the next room munching supper.

They are spoiled

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Potentialmadcatlady · 02/08/2016 22:24

Rescue centre near us uses fleece blankets to line hutches.. Changed everyday or so...poo chucked into bin and fleeces washed and dried easy to go back in ( so you would need a couple) cheaper than sawdust...

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elvislives2012 · 03/08/2016 22:17

The hutch and run arrived and I met them today! Two three year old sows. Very calm. Obviously handled a lot. They are long haired do will need brushing but sound like they'll be perfect for my two daughters