It's a big night out for the girls!

[weaseldropping]

Well, tonight is the first night of the year where the weather forecast has been good enough for my four girls (Sooty, Offie, Renee and Georgette) to sleep out all night in the run. Last year we managed it in March - which shows what a grotty Spring we've had so far this year in England!
They love dusk so much, it is great to see them barreling around the run at full pelt just for the joy of it. Normally they get put back into the hutch before it gets too dark to catch them, so they looked really pleased tonight.

Before anyone panicks, they are in a wire run which is completely everything-proof, and the temperature is not expected to drop below 10 degrees Celcius all night. They also have a proper house in the run to sleep in/jump all over like lunatics.

It is so great to see them having breakfast on the lawn - we are the only house in the road who specifically cultivates dandelions in the grass!

We are going to build an extension for the run this year, as baby Georgette was an unexpected extra, does anyone have any ideas for weather-proof toys that might give them something fun to do in the few eating-breaks they take?

 

[John4216]

One suggestion if you already have not done this - add a covering of Mosquito netting to your run. It will help keep out the unwanted and bugs that can hurt or kill your piggies.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

That sounds like a good idea.

 

[weaseldropping]

There is a wire mesh "roof" to stop larger wildlife.
I am curious, what sort of bugs do you mean? It's something I've never considered! We don't have mosquitoes here - the only really nasty stingers are bees and wasps and they tend to keep away from animals - you have to really upset them to get stung - I know cos I'm allergic to both! There are sometimes little midges who pop up after rain, but they only bite bald skin, not through hair (or presumably fur) and they tend to fly in small clumps at dusk, Goodness only knows where they hang out the rest of the time!

Update: It's now morning and I have just been out to see them - they are "up and doing" and having a great time - although they have tipped all the hay out from the house on the grass and made a terrible mess! That was supposed to keep them cosy all night!!!! Well I guess they didn't need it...I daresay it will get eaten at some point today. The cat is now out as well, and is sat on the run, guarding the pigs. Offie keeps trying to catch the cat's tail as it swings past her nose, but the cat can see this and is just teasing her! (Don't worry, this is an old game and neither animal can get at the other one, they just like to try!)

 

[weaseldropping]

slap_maxwell - I just noticed your avatar - cute pig! Is it a Rex like my (sadly now departed) Arnie Avatar?

 

[Piglet]

Um... just be careful. My boys got ticks from the grass. Sounds liks your pigs seem happy though. It's been freezing down here weasal! Everynight I've had to cling on to my duvet! It rained today (well what do you expect), so the boys only got literally 10 seconds of munching grass.

 

[weaseldropping]

Thanks for that, Piglet - we do have ticks in Yorkshire too! Our Old English Sheepdog and her friend got them at an RSPCA-approved kennels once, and in the end she had to have a general anaesthesia followed by a very slow and careful whole-body shave to clear them all off - absolutely horrible for everyone involved!!!!!! Her friend Digby had a tick body pulled off with the head left behind and ended up with a brain-stem abcess and the biggest vets bill I have ever seen. I'll keep an eye out for ticks - can you imagine what a shaved piggie would look like?

On a side note, I have been out buying a new car today, and rejected a Rover cos the air-con wasn't fierce enough! It's been 18 degrees in the sun... I am a Southerner by birth (Cornwall) and the weather up here never ceases to amaze me!

Nice to know there's another Brit on this forum - I was a bit alarmed about all the eagles and hawks at first before I realised they weren't in England - derr!

 

[Piglet]

Aww, a shaved pig? What a sight! You can get hairless pigs though...

Ascot was lucky. I felt bumps on him and it turned out that these were scabs caused by the ticks. I took him to the shelter I got him from, and they managed to pull the two ticks out. Yuck.

It's just been miserable here today. Rain and clouds, then some more rain! Did you set eyes on another car then?

I think we are lucky. Don't get many predators over here!

 

[Piglet]

Woo! The brits are rising in number. (*cough* to about 4 now..lol)

 

[weaseldropping]

We have had glorious sunshine all day - to the extent I was able to wash and dry the cat's sheepskin (He is old and arthritic and loves his bam-bam, but had sicked up a hairball thursday night, which was too yucky for words!) It worked out well for the pigs too, cos I put the sheepskin on top of the run to dry flat, and they enjoyed the shade - what am I saying - it's April for heavens sake!!!

I am so excited - I will take delivery of a Saab 9-5 estate next week - It is gigantic, but I might actually be able to fit all the children (only one is actually mine, but I do various school runs for friends) their school bags and a cello and a violin into the boot without having it all piled up everywhere! I have terrible problems finding a comfy car due to a manky back, but this one is Ace!!!!!

The worst predator around here is our cat, and he has slowed down so much now that Offie and Charlie Cat have been known to have (inadvertant) lap-time together...

(Have I just condemned this thread to the kitchen by saying that? Whoops!)

 

[weaseldropping]

Woo! The brits are rising in number. (*cough* to about 4 now..lol)

Do you know who the other Brits are?

 

[Piglet]

Candi and bromers -Candi posts more. There is also glitterbug but she only posts in the UK section.

 

[Rachy1412]

Don't forget me!!

 

[weaseldropping]

Thanks - I didn't know there was a UK section! lol
Just had a look at your piggies - they are gorgeous!
I will endeavour to put some pics of mine up soon.

 

[Piglet]

Sorry rachy! I just realised now so I came onto this thread to post your name =)

 

[Piglet]

Were you talking to me about the pictures of piggies?

 

[Slap Maxwell]

slap_maxwell - I just noticed your avatar - cute pig! Is it a Rex like my (sadly now departed) Arnie Avatar?

It is a White Crested (fuzziness makes him look like a teddy) Glad everything is working out!

 

[weaseldropping]

It is a White Crested (fuzziness makes him look like a teddy) Glad everything is working out!

Thanks - they are loving it!
Your pig is totally lovely anyway!

 

[weaseldropping]

Were you talking to me about the pictures of piggies?

Yes - sorry!

 

[weaseldropping]

Don't forget me!!

Hi Rachy!