guinea pigs out in the dark

[nappyzone]

normally they go in the hutch for lock down at nightfall - its pitch black outside and i went to lock them in and there nowhere to be seen - should i go out with my torch (its raining) or will they survive the night? am a tadge worried about them - also as in an outdoor hutch - any tips as to when i should take winter measures and what measures to take (thats is if they survive the night!!).

I have the hutch covers from Pets at home on the Rabbit and on the GP hutches. Expensive I know but well worth it as the keep the hutch completely waterproof, protect it so it will last longer and they keep the wind out aswell. With the flap down over the front they can see out but are well protected from wind and rain. They do a insulater one aswell - but I decided the waterproof one was best. So to keep them warm I bought cheap sun reflector screens that are supposed to go in the car - for the windscreen, put one under the hutch cover on the roof and then staple two around the sides - much cheaper option but has same effect.

You can also get a cardboard box a bit smaller than the sleeping area, cut a hole so they can get through to the other area. Stuff hay/shredded newspaper in the gap between the box and the hutch - this insulates them aswell.

oooooooo - great - i could move all my dd junk out of her playhouse/ shed and move the hutch in there but am worried they wold get deprived of sunlight or human contact. Will go have a neb at the covers at pets at home - the hutch is big and square and high with an apex roof wth a lower square run so not sure a shop bought cover would fit well. like the idea of an insulator one though - have seen some on ebay of a cheaper make. must go measure up i supose......

blimey a hugger and a snuggle coming in at £100 at pat home - looks like i will have to serve an eviction notice to dd for her playshed...

get a rabbit! I have two guineas and a rabbit and they keep each other warm - they are all in a pile in their bedroom in the morning lol.. I lef them out til 3.30am on sat night - forgot to put them away before I went for a night out and only remembered when I had gone to bed - groan!

They usually put themselves to bed, they are good boys!

I can't believe people would pay so much for a hutch cover! We always used to use old carpet or roofing felt, hung down the front to keep the rain and wind out, and weighed down with a couple of bricks. It worked perfectly well and our animals lived to a ripe old age. Mind you, our hutches were made of proper wood (one of them was an old sideboard covered in felt) not that flimsy plywood they seem to use nowadays.

now of to hunt out some old carpet ......

Hi

Loved the idea of underfloor heating for piggies. Could you tell me where you bought it or how you got it installed.

Thanks

M