Can't catch my pigs!

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Chief Guinea Pig

Chief Guinea Pig

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So...On saturday evening I got my new pigs! (Lily- White body, mixture of brown on face), (Lola- White and that yellowing/goldy cream) Both American Crested. The shop we bought them from said their age is 10-12 weeks.
So yesterday I tried to start approaching them, BUT...They ''occasionally'' take a bit of hay out of my hands, then won't take a carrot (which they love by the way), and when I try to stroke them when they're eating off me; they soon run off! They're the speed of Usain Bolt those two! So then yesterday I had my Best friend come over (she owns 2 abby pigs ages 4 yrs) and after a few bumps and scratches she finally got both of them (at a different time of course) I then had a go on my lap, cradle way, and to my chest. Then we put them back a couple of times, then Lily seemed to be well-behaved when she was picked up (could catch her in one hand, but not like that anymore!). But, Lola on the other hand...Was the COMPLETE opposite! She was riggling when picked up (then stopped) and we catched her around 3 times (but still a right old riggler!) *It was my friend who caught them, but me who picked them up after and put them back* So I've not had a go at catching them, so today I tried to have a go on my own. And, it didn't go well, they were running around too fast, and whenever they saw my hand coming (slowly) then sprang off just as I was 1 cm away from a stroke! So, you can clearly see what my problem is here! :(

Anyone got any tips on how to catch them?
I personally find that luring them with a treat is useless! :doh:
 
Big hands = a big birdie coming to eat them!

Try to shepherd them into a snuggle sack or an upturned pigloo with a teatowel over the top and then you can hold them on your lap without them being too scared.

Mine still don't like being picked up - think a lot of piggies never do. I shepherd them into the bedroom and then they know what's coming and just sit still. Once I have got them on my lap Toby cuddles in, chucks a chooken out and goes to sleep for an hour or so. Barney hates cuddles so I alternate grappling with feeding small pieces of carrot and then send him on his way 10mins later.

They will get better with lots of regular handling and keep trying to hand feed them - they will get used to you eventually. They may always run away from 'pick-up' hands though.
 
AbiS said:
Oh yeah - we need photos of these long awaited piggles!
Click to expand...
We really do! I managed to somehow scare them up the ramp and into the sleeping quarters! So I will see if I can get anything tomorrow!
 
Catching them from above will only make them run more as they find it scary :) The way I like to do is to get down to the pig's level (if possible obviously- doesn't matter if you can't) and kind of scoop them up with your hands cupped. This way they can't run away and it's much less stressful and scary for them. Hope that helped :) or as said above use a snuggle sack or igloo etc

Spend loads of time by their cage talking to them and put your hand in the cage so they get used to your scent. Keep hand feeding them and they'll soon get used to you! It does take some time so don't worry. :woot:
 
If you only got them on Saturday you are expecting a lot of them to be calm with you already.... Guinea pigs are a prey species and as such their instinct is to run when they see a threat. In their eyes, you coming in to pick them up is a threat so they will make their best efforts to make sure you can't catch them.

Spending time with them is the key. Sit next to their cage and just spend time chatting with them so they get used to your presence, smell and the sound of your voice. Try sitting still with some yummy veg in your hand to tempt them to come to you. It's a matter of trust and even eating out of your hand involves a lot of trust on their part. When you pick them up try not to come from above if possible and try to catch them securely but not 'grab round the middle'. You could use a cardboard box, tube or fleece cosy to herd them into to help pick them up and cosies are great for them to sit in on your lap as it gives them the feeling of being sheltered and safe. It also helps with wriggly pigs :) Bribery with some tasty snacks on your lap helps too.

Some pigs are never very cuddly, others love it. My Angus took a long time to settle to cuddle time (he's 2 and a half now and I got him at 12 weeks old) but now he loves it. Just be patient and let them get used to you at their own pace. I promise you it's worth all the time and effort when they are relaxed enough to fall asleep on your lap in front of the TV :)
 
When I got my two guineapigs I let them settle in for a couple of days. I changed the food and water and put fresh hay in so they could just get used to their new surroundings. Eventually one would poke his head out of their shelter and would watch me. It is a slow process to gain a guinea pigs trust but it is rewarding and I hope you enjoy you new piggies.
 
When i got mine, i didn't pick them up at all the first week, the first time i held them was when i needed to clean the cage out the first time.

The rest of the first week i sat by the cage talking to them, i also put veggies on my hand and just waited till they we're brave enough to grab it and run off! :))

I've had mine about 4 or 5 months and although they come to see me at the bars and wheek for veggies they don't actually like being 'caught'.

One of my piggies Skittles just doesn't like being held what so ever but unlike the others she enjoys being stroked inside the cage.
 
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