How cold does it have to be before I need to bring my Guinea Pigs in?

[JustFabulous]

Apparently it is going to be very wet imminently but also several degrees below 0 degrees but dh kept saying they were fine when I have said before about bringing them in. I have just seen the news though and it is going to be very cold soon. They would be in a cage inside so less room to move around and I think that is clouding his thoughts. If we had snow they would be in but surely cold without snow is too cold for them to be outside?

They are both 4 btw.

I looked on 3 different websites and they gave 3 different temperatures 12,15 and 16 C.

We've had temperatures of 8C at night but my hogs have been out in their Pighouse until last night (they came in because of the fireworks)

IIRC under 12C was the temperature to protect them, but loads of people keep their pigs out all year round.

Mine are in my DD room because the rest of the house is too warm. They don't like the indoor cage at all , they get right on each others wicks .

There's quite a few MNetters who have their hogs out all year round.
Have you got a garage or shed they could go in? They would be more inclined to move about. I think if they are cold they'll just huddle up in one spot to keep warm in their hay.
Is your DH one of those people who say "Well they come from Peru and it's about -20 in winter" (Mine says this)

Yes naturalised South American guineas. Not bred in the UK domesticated guineas

The shed is too small. They could go in the garage as we don't put the cars in there but then they would be in the dark all the time unless I leave the light on all day.

Yes, I told him they are not as hardy as people assume.

They have a lovely snuggly bed but even so.

mine were outside piggies due to my DD's allergies.... they stayed out until we had that prolonged snow a couple of years back then we moved the hutch into our (unused ) garage, for a couple of weeks... so long as they have plenty of nice soft cosy hay they are fine..

Mine's been in since September. I think it does help to bring them in if you can. He is in the kitchen. he went in the run today outside for a couple of hours.

I think they are ok in the garage or shed but not outside.

Personally I would bring them in.
They are not the biggest of creatures.
And better safe than sorry in my opinion.

My 'garage' (well it's a garage sized building but there's no end door) has a concrete floor so it's a bit colder than the boys Pighouse which is wooden.
The pighouse has perspex safety windows and the garage has a couple of manky glass ones.

Our boys are in my DD room and they are quite untidy and their pee is quite aromatic (2 boars). even with wooden pellets and hay on newspaper.

I've got a fan heater but it's only to take the chill off before they go outside. They've got SnugglePad, Pet Hotties and a couple of Hot Water Bottles that I put in a waterproof zip up pillowcase.

I'm thinking how I can make them a winter home in the garage that will be warm enough because they really don't like the confines of their 4'x2' cage and I can't fit anything larger in the house.

I feel sorry for them as they can't even play out as we have had so much rain the grass is soaked.

could they come in the kitchen to play. I put an old towel down for mine but we have quite a large floorspace in there.

I have a playpen for them so might do that when they kids are at school so it is peaceful for them.

There is snow in the air now, so it is the right time to bring the guineas in - I think they would be fine in the shed/garage as long as they are well insulated. It is a boring time for them, but if you do bring them in, the play pen sounds brilliant, make sure they have their own smells around and they will enjoy exploring and a change of scene. I dont think guinea time is like our time if that makes sense, they are happy to eat, sleep, snuggle, poo, eat and groom each other, it is a shame they can't go out, but much better that they are warm and dry........ daytime tv may keep them busy!

just don't change the temperature they are kept in too dramatically - they can end up with respiratory problems and shock if you do.

My piggies have been in their playpen since half nine and seem happy. BoyPiggy has been tearing at, and maybe eating, the newspaper. Is that okay? I have been in the kitchen with him baking, cleaning and cooking so he has company. What about when I go to school? Can they jump and climb??

Hi - sadly newspaper not that great as the ink can irritate them, so try and get them other things to gnaw and rip, - mine used to like having bread (!) to mess with, but even plain paper if they have to is better! - they are little monkeys in that they will eat and chew everything they can - if you have any old kitchen scraps, like apple cores etc, that will keep them busy as well ( food related) but you can get guinea toys and chews to keep them occupied. They would prefer a pile of grass to work through tho! They sound well settled and happy, if you are around they will be content - and no, they can't really jump or climb out of pens/cages etc up a vertical surface < waits to see if you have a guinea who is related to Houdini > - they should be fine when you go out for short periods of time.- as long as there is no obvious escape for them.

I have bought them chew rope balls but they ignored it. I will go and see where it is.

They are sat next to each other head to toe now .

they never like something you buy. more likely to chew shoe laces or the wire of the fridge and never electrocute themselves