What can I do to keep Coco safe?

[auburnmare5]

I am going to try a grids run for the first time this summer. How big should it be?

Also, there are many hawks in my area, and owls. What can I do to keep Coco safe while eating.

I know it is a little early, but he will begin traveling soon and he is almost always outside when he comes with my family and I.

Thank You Very Much

[Ly&Pigs]

You would have to make a totally enclosed outdoor run with a lid for safety. Also you need to be outside with your pig at all times. If you are making the run out of grids then you could make it as big as you'd like. There is no certain size but normally it needs to be the same size or larger than the cage your pig lives in. A 2x4 or 2x5 is a good size for an outdoor run for a single pig.

If your pig isn't used to being outdoors though, only take him out for a few minutes each day at first then increase the time slowly. Make sure the run is partially shaded so he's not sitting in full sun. Also provide a hiding place. The other reason to increase time outside in slow increments is because their tummies need time to adjust to the fresh grash and forages. They can get stomach problems if they are left to eat too much fresh grass when they aren't used to it.

[newpiggiemommy]

I just purchased one of those playpen/exersice yards with a mat/cover! I got it on horseloverz.com. If you use it in the house you put the mat underneath, and when you use it oudoors, you put the mat on as a cover. This way you will have protection from the sun and preditory birds and animals! I hope your piggie loves to be outside! Good luck!

[auburnmare5]

I have never really been there with him when he has been out side. I check on him frequently though. He has always had a lid on him though. He has been on grass during the summer since he was a baby. How long will it take him to readjust to the grass?

I would like to put him out on Friday because it will be the warmest day in about 2 months. It will be about 60-62 degrees.

He has never been out in the sun. He is under a tree so he has about 50% shade 50% sun.

Is there a limit to how much grass they can actuallyhave?

When he is out in the summer, he is usually out almost all day. He usually just lounges though and does mad laps.

[auburnmare5]

Any one else have any thoughts on this?

All responses are appreciated.

[auburnmare5]

Anyone else have a response?
I keep posting on this because I am trying to get it up to the first post on the main forum page.

[i-love-nev]

If you have a pig outside and there is Birds Of Prey around there then I would suggest getting some of that window creening mesh to put on top of the pen so it isnt so easy to see the pig from the top, although the pig may not get hurt, a hawk will keep going at the cage until it either picks it up, gets through it or finds something else to eat. If it is that warm out you will also need to keep things to call him down - Frozen water bottles, piggy popcicles(my piggys loved them, but they arnt a necessitty and should have them no more then three times weekly) , wet towels etc etc. There id no real limit to how much grass he can eat if he eats the grass regularily.