A quick piggie question

[TheThreeCavies]

Hi all,

Our three girls arrived yesterday. They're very shy when we're about but I've seen two of them emerge from their hidey house to eat some veg left out for them. The third is a bit more timid and has only stuck her head out of the door so far.

Anyway, my question is this.

They have an outside hutch with a run underneath connected by a ramp which I've modified with a carpet tile so they can use it easier.
At the moment they spend most of their time in a hidey house. They have hay and water in the run and I give them veggies as well. They spent the night in the hidey house but I think they would be warmer in the hutch (it has a cover).

Should I move them or encourage them to go up into the hutch (and potentially undo any settling in done so far) or leave them to explore and discover the top level themselves?

I've a attached a picture of piggy towers

 

[Guineautopia]

Hi and congratulations on your new piggie additions.
I would definitely put them up the top and leave them to settle there. Otherwise it could mean they have been on the damp cold ground overnight? That isn’t too good for them.
Put lots of hay in the sleeping area, they will love that.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

Our three girls arrived yesterday. They're very shy when we're about but I've seen two of them emerge from their hidey house to eat some veg left out for them. The third is a bit more timid and has only stuck her head out of the door so far.

Anyway, my question is this.

They have an outside hutch with a run underneath connected by a ramp which I've modified with a carpet tile so they can use it easier.
At the moment they spend most of their time in a hidey house. They have hay and water in the run and I give them veggies as well. They spent the night in the hidey house but I think they would be warmer in the hutch (it has a cover).

Should I move them or encourage them to go up into the hutch (and potentially undo any settling in done so far) or leave them to explore and discover the top level themselves?

I've a attached a picture of piggy towers

Please let your new piggies settle on the main floor first. Open the ramp once they are confident where they are. If you can. Please let them get familiar with the carpet tile while they are still upstairs and impregnate it with their scent.

Otherwise use a rag for them to lie on and mark with their scent to wipe over the carpet tile just before you open the run. Guinea pigs are wired to follow scent trails; they are wary to go where no piggy has been. If the ramp carried their scent, they will be more encouraged to use it.
I have only a low half-height grid divider on the border from the piggy side to the human side in our lounge, yet my piggies will not leave their territory.

Make sure that you always pull the ramp up overnight and on cold days; to protect from rats/mice and cold drafts getting in. Place a blanket over the top of the run for their feeling of security and also for plenty of sun protection on hot days. Please also make sure that the living quarters are in double shade during heat waves; they can become a death trap!

How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time
Hot Weather Management And Heat Strokes
Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs

 

[TheThreeCavies]

Operation Cavy was a success! All three were moved using the tunnel method and they are now in the top part of their hutch (which the door to the ramp closed for now).

How long should I leave it before re-opening the door to the ramp?

 

[Wiebke]

Operation Cavy was a success! All three were moved using the tunnel method and they are now in the top part of their hutch (which the door to the ramp closed for now).

How long should I leave it before re-opening the door to the ramp?

You can open the ramp once your piggies are confident with the upstairs, moving freely and ideally not running away when you talk to them.