More piggy advice needed

[Daisybell1]

What size outdoor run would you get for 2 female piggies? I realise the sky is the limit is the ideal but we have a very sloping garden so massive isn't feasible.

Would 5 ft x 3 ft be enough? They currently have a 4 ft x 1.5ft hutch, but it's 2 level so 2 x 4 ft x 1.5!

Can you customise the hutch ramp so that they will use both levels? 5'x3' will give them enough rub about room (haha) and hidey space.
Just make sure it's secured (we use tent pegs hammered into the ground) against foxes.

One of the problems with upper/lower hutches apart from the ramp, is piggies shouldn't go on wet grass (rabbits are more all-weather but pigs are prone to respiratory problems if they get chilled wet bellies. Bit low slung too compared to bunnies). You could put the hutch on decking or concrete, make sure it's secure, then you can sweep out any droppings.

With a run, you can move it to a bit of fresh grass that is in sun, so drier than shade. (Mine can raze a patch of grass in a couple of days, like locusts )
Give them restricted grazing at first, start at 30 minutes and build up.
Watch them throw some shapes when they popcorn , have their mad half hour, then start with the serious issues of eating. (You need to Google Guinea-Pigs Popcorning )

rub about room (haha) should be run about. The (haha) because they are essentially idle little beasts (until you try to catch them)
It's like the end scene of Benny Hill with our three.

Yes there's a hole in the floor for the ramp so it should be easy to reinstate. The bottom has a solid base rather than mesh so they should be good to go once they've figured out the ladder. Easy clean too.

Will look out for a run at the weekend. I work through the week but it's still light and dry enough for them to have an hour or so in the evenings isn't it?

Didn't know they shouldn't go on wet grass? We've been putting gps out for a run in the morning before school (dd not gps).

They are vunerable to chills millimat unlike rabbits they carry their bellies low and don't have a good thick fur on their tummies or fur coated feet like bunnies.

You could give them something to sit on (a mat or cardboard) though TBH, I wouldn't let them decide if it's safe or not, they aren;t the sharpest tools in the shed

Daisy ours were out from 4pm till 7.30pm (mainly because only DD can get into the run) they were still happily striding about.
So , depending on where you are , you can let them have an hour in the evening.
I let mine go out till October (Essex) if it;s mild, I cover the run with a tarpaulin to shield them against wind.

They do get judgey after a while and hollar to go indoors

How are your piggies settling?

We're in the frozen north so the nights are closing in. But there's been some lovely sunny evenings recently.

They seem to be settling well, noticeably less skittish and we made it several paces out of the door towards the hutch before they scarpered today (at the start they vanished at the sound of the door latch).

Courgette, baby sweetcorn have all been rejected, broccoli is apparently crack cocaine, and they're trying runner beans this morning!

I'm also in the north and the weathers been good enough recently for them to have time outside. I don't put them out until after lunch though as the grass is quite damp until then. I put an old towel in the run and put igloos on it for them. They've been out until 7pm but our garden is quite sheltered. If it's a bit breezy I use old towels pegged to the run to make windbreaks. I'm turning into a mad GP lady aren't I?

It's gorgeous this weekend and I'm frustrated they can't go outside yet. Have arranged to get run off old owner buy not met up with her yet. Plus have joined local pets site to try and find one - so many back yard breeders

Oh and ive just lined up some winter quarters - will a 4 ft x 2 ft cage be ok for winter? ??

4'x2' is the minimum recommended size for 2 pigs Daisy - if you haven't bought it yet, go bigger if you can.
Bear in mind, in winter they'll need more hay to snuggle in, they'll need their food bowl, water bottle/bowl and veg.

My sows quarentined in a 4'x2' house when we first got them (it was our indoor cage when we got GP1 and GP2.) The boars really didn't like it, but boars can be gitty if they aren't given enough room).
They were ok in it because they were still very wary, but they had the big rabbit run to excercise in.

And they pee gallons . I used to put a couple of big puppy pads under their newspaper. After 24 hours, the pads were maxed out,

Bigger space is easier to keep clean too, they don;t like soiled bedding to sit in. Though indoors, I change daily and the outdoor house stays cleaner. They must pee more at night.
Mine are in for winter nights and out in the Pighouse by day (with heater, spoiled ratbags)