Advice needed for 1st time piggy mum!

[milliepops]

Hi!
We are getting our first piggies, Clem and Avril, from Suzy in 11 days!x)

I would love some general advice on how to settle them in -

what's the best length of time to leave them alone for?
how do I go about putting food in the cage without scaring them?
when should we start getting them out to handle them?
when we get them out for the first time, should we 'cuddle' them (we are getting some pouches for our laps) or should we give them floor time with some hidey places so they can hide?

Sorry for all the questions! :red
I thought I'd try and find out as much now so me and my daughter are both fully equipped and know what we're doing when they arrive - well, sort of!
Please feel free to give me/us any advice you can think of, things you wished you'd been told etc. Anything and everything helps and I want it to make it as stress free as poss for them!

Thanks x x x x x x :rose x x x x x x x

 

[Poppy'sMum]

I gave mine a couple of days to settle in before I handled them. I used towels to partially cover their cage as well as a few hideys for them to hide in. Just put their food in without too much fuss, a few gentle quiet words helps them get used to the sound of your voice.

I was the only one to handle them at first, if they are young then they will be fairly skittish, don't know how old your daughter is but I would get her to sit on the floor, inside a run if you can, & then put one on her lap. Piggies can get serious injuries if they leap off your lap from a chair height unfortunately.

I sat in the run (I used one of the pop up types) & let them come to me, offering them a piece of cucumber or something. That way they can have a good sniff & examine you It does take a while for them to get used to you. Mine still run away when I try to pick them up, but that's normal as they are prey animals. One of them just stands still though rolleyes The trick is to be very patient, I've had mine about 3 months now & they run up to me & take food from my hand. It's very rewarding

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

definitely leave them alone for a few days so they can get acclemated to their surroundings. put their food in slowly and away from where they're situated (ie: place the food on the edge of the cage if they're in the middle; dont just shove it in their faces). if you want to hold them, i would strongly reccomend waiting a day or two and then wraping them in a towel so they feel secure (swaddle like a baby) at first. good luck, and hope i helped!

 

[milliepops]

Thanks both, really appreciate that

With the swaddling thing, when can you start doing that? Would it be too stressful to 'swaddle' them after a few days, or should I leave it a lot longer?

 

[Connie]

After the settling in period its best to get them used to regular handling quickly, so just a little every day after they have been aloud to settle down Hope that helps.

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

i swaddled my pigs rather quickly; like within the second or third day. they didnt like it at first, but were much more comfortable with being held like that than just in my arms. eventually they get used to handling and the towel isnt necessary anymore. good luck!