Having kept our two boys in the house for the past year and a half, we are wanting to pop them outside in hutches (separate I'm afraid as they have nasty fights together).

Obviously we want to do this in such a way that they suffer as little stress as possible (we will move them back indoors if they don't like it).

We have two hutches on legs and intend to put them by our back door at angles so they can still see each other. There they will completely sheltered from the wind.

So then, the usual request for advice. When it warms up should we slowly introduce them to the outside, i.e leave them out in the day and bring them in at night, once they are sleeping outside, is covering the hutches with carpet and some waterproof material sufficient? Are we being cruel putting them outside when they have been used to the indoors?

Thanks

I have no experience with guinea pig but we often have to get rescue ferrets used to being out doors (or i would have a house full) to do this we do what you have said put them out during the day and bring them in at night if they are at the hutch door waiting if its not going to be a cold night and they don't seem to be bothered then we leave them out. we uses tarpaulin over the hutches to keep them dry but don't use carpet so not to over heat them. just make sure they have plenty of bedding available.

My guinea pigs live inside for the winter and outside for the summer, they will be going out about the end of April I would think, the pigs love it outside and I see them often sniffing at the breeze and they like to sunbathe too and nosey at what is happening in the garden.

Like Jedi suggests just make sure that it is spring weather and that they have plenty of bedding, and some plastic to keep the hutch dry, they will adjust fine to the change and will probably enjoy it.

I'd wait until a fairly nice day and just do it, make sure they are well sheltered though and covered at night.

I'd also suggest plenty of hay as they won't have anyone to share heat with if they're alone :(

Thanks for the advice. Think we will have them out when we are out in the garden over the next month or so, then let them sleep out when it is a lot warmer.

Will ensure they have loads of hay and won't bother with the carpet, just old pond liner/waterproof top of a gazebo. I had never even thought of them over heating!