moving piggies in or keeping them out?

[fishandlilacs]

We acquired 2 piggies (aged 3) earlier this year, previously they had been indoor in winter and outdoor piggies in the summer.

We have had them in a 2 storey hutch all summer, they are happy as we moved this every couple of days so they have access to fresh grass all the time, it also has a canvas full zip up cover which we haven't put on yet. Should we bother putting this on or just bring them in?

Wondering what to do-when/if should we bring them in?-will the canvas cover be enough to keep them warm enough to stay outside all winter?

The winter cage is smaller big tray style, with a wire caged top. No access to grass but they have sawdust and a thick layer of fresh hay topped up daily.

PS we also have a run which we move around the garden so they can get out if it's a dry enough day.
PS they are boys. Feisty lovely boys.

Hadn't been handled much previously and the other owners were allergic. but 5 months with us and they now snuggle in for cuddles :) My smallest boy with punk hair likes to burrow his face into my hair and go to sleep tucked into my neck :)

I would bring them in. Mine is an indoor pig any way, just outside on nice days. It gets really cold and wet in winter, I would worry about them. You'll get more cuddles too

You'll need to clean the cage more often, but you'll see a lot more of them. If you let them out every day, the smaller cage shouldn't be too much of a problem. Cleaning a hutch in the middle of winter can't be much fun either.

If you have room, you'll get a lot more out of having them inside.

It's gorgeous when they start squeaking their heads off when you open the fridge door, or you're welcomed home from work with their demands for food!

I must admit my 2 piggies are in a hutch that sounds very similar and I have left them outside for 2 winters now,with the cover on, and they have been fine.Vets advice was that it was fine to do this as long as they had always been outside, and not used to being indoors.
I do shut the 'stairs' when it gets very cold and move them under the roofed in porch leading to the back door.so they still get to see whats going on and get some company.

It depends on where you live - but bear in mind it's the damp that GPs don't cope well with too.
Your cover will keep the draughts out and keep them dry, but make sure they have ventilation.

YY heronsfly if they are kept in or out (or both) then you need to make sure the temperature is constant. So not a warm house to cold cage or the opposite.

Hay is the best insulator. My pigs will choose hay over fleece .
The past couple of nights they've had fleece because my older boy had a weepy eye from a grass seed. They had hay to eat in a trug but they had fleece to sleep in.
I put a Snugglepad in for them last week at night.

Be careful with the grass too. If they get wet bellies it'll chill them.
I know my boys aren't happy outside grazing when they just sit there. If the little jaws are going like a locust then they're good.

I agree depends what used too, I try not to bring mine in and out and if they come in its not for long - I worry they will think its summer molt their hair then die of cold, I know new pig has always been an outside too so it probably in luxury now in the pig shed with the option of climbing in the hutch too if she ever dares and if the old girl ever lets her!