New to guinea pigs, advice needed!

[SpringFlowers]

We have two girl guinea pigs that we bought for my dd who is 15. When we first had them it was still warm and sunny so they spent all day in their run on the grass and the nights in their hutch - which is two storey and large enough. My dd really wanted the pigs and did loads of research etc. before we got them, but I know very little. Now the weather is much colder they no longer go outside but are in their hutch all the time. We have made a tarpaulin cover for it to protect them and the hutch from wind and rain and they have a pad that we heat up in the microwave for nighttimes. My dd is adamant that this is all ok, but it doesn't feel right to me. Although we have nowhere obvious to put it I feel that the pigs should be indoors now while it is so cold and that they should have some time out of the cage running around perhaps by bringing their run inside.

I suppose what I'd like to know is:

1. is it ok for them to be outside in the hutch at night in the winter
2. is it ok for them to be in the hutch all day
3. could I put them on the grass or is it too cold
4. how much 'human' contact time do they need a day

The trouble is discussing anything with a hormonal teen who is sure they are right is tricky at best. I would very much appreciate some advice, tia

Hi springflowers - welcome to the lovely world of small furries, would receommend you read some of the thread on here, which may help answer some of the queries you have - lots of folk on here with lots of experience and helpful hints - you will get a taste of what guinea life is like!

In general, guineas really don't do temperature extremes, so to bring them in and out when it is so cold would probably make them ill- their little bodies just cannot adjust and damp conditions can make them quite ill. IF you have space inside, I would suggest you do try and get them inside where possible, away from direct heat, but somewhere where they can have a little explore and be warm inside. Plenty of people do keep them in outside shelters or garages, but this is tough going when the snow starts as they will need to be very snuggled up.

It is a really tough time for guineas, they can't be outside in their run as the grass is often too wet, and they do need exercise and to be occupied if you know what I mean . They do like 'cuddle time' - may be a regular routine where you and your daughter wrap them in a cuddle cloth, tempt them with food and they get used to your company, but even if you keep them in a room where people are coming in and out, they get used to the sounds.

They are very interactive and sociable creatures, and I think it is a shame that they are kept away from family, though fully understand why, it just isnt practical for everybody to keep them indoors, but they are not terribly 'hardy' so it is best to be safe with them and try and keep them warm and sheltered.

Hope this helps - feel free to keep asking, others will help you!

I agree this is a rough time of year (and there have been many guinea deaths in the past couple of weeks )

The damp is a huge problem for pigs, not just from rain, but condensation if you have a cover . And the bedding gets wet from pee ( I know how much my boars pee in their hay trug)/
There#s a risk of mould and mildew on damp hay, and they won't eat it,

And don't forget now how few hours of daylight .So if they are outside, it's alot of hours in darkness.

The SnugglePads are ok but I don't find they keep warm for anywhere near the number of hours that they claim.

You can't put them on wet grass but you can still cut grass for them (if it's frosty, I let it come to room temp. Pigs love grass)

Our outdoor Pighouse is wooden so it keeps warmer than the concrete garage. They had to have an emergency decant into the garage when my NDN tree was damaged in the storms. They saw it as an adventure but it was harder to keep them warm, so I wouldn't keep them there long term.

GPs get more socialised indoors.
I like to think mine have the best of both worlds- space outside to be animals and safety indoors from cold and foxes (and fireworks) at night in winter.

Thank you very much for your responses. You all know so much! I really want to love our pigs but am just worried at the moment I have decided that while it might technically be ok for the pigs to be outside I would be much happier if they were inside so have bought an indoor cage today. Inside the cage I have put a layer of newspaper and then 'bedding'. They have a thing for hay to go in on the side. Aside from food, tunnels and toys do they need anything else in there with them? For the time being I am just going to keep them indoors and then next year when the weather starts to be warmer gradually transfer them back out into the run and hutch so that during the summer months they are outside all the time. Does that sound ok?

Can I put cardboard boxes in with them? Does it matter if they are printed ones like cornflake packets?

I give mine flattened cardboard boxes from work (make sure there's no staples or sellotape on them)

Our older boy won't walk on laminate flooring and got very judgey when I put heavy cardboard in their indoor run (had to cover with towels)

Anything that I'd let them chew I'll put in their cage. Mine don't tend to eat cardboard or paper but my GP2 used to like re-shaping the doors to the boxes at 3am in winter.

"Hmm, squared off doors are so last year, I need a gothic arch ..."
really, GP2, really ?

That sounds lovely - and i believe being indoors makes them tamer and you build a closer relationship.

They build a closer relationship with the fridge

Mine were outdoor pigs initially but since moving indoors (2 years ago) they have revealed more of their pigonality and we have got to know their characteristics a lot more.

Haha so true. Or if you crinkle a plastic bag.
GPs "Meep meep wheeeeeeeek! Meep meep wheeeeeek"
DS "Mamaaa! Mamaaaa! Wheekies want somethin"
Everytime you open the fridge or a packet, drives me mad.