chesney and maisie went out on the grass in their run for the first time today! they did really well. they hid in their box mainly, but once they had nibbled the grass in there, they ventured out a little further.
lots of new sounds and smells for them and they seemed happy at the grass, but a bit jumpy sometimes, which is to be expected. of course, it was quiet and then as soon as i took them out, a plane went over, some people were shouting, some car went past blasting music out, and the worlds loudest ice cream van came round! :... but they seemed ok and the grass got the most attention!
anyway, i wanted to know how much of an introduction to outside to do? i have been gradually introducing grass to them for a while so they are used to it and i only let them out for 10 minutes because it's all new etc. should i just increase the time by a little bit each time? i'm always wary of doing things too quickly. maybe extend the time by 5/10 minutes or so each time? obviously they will only go out when it's nice and dry and warm enough.
i got a few pics, i'll add them when i get a minute.
With the weather like this over the weekend, I would have them outside for as long as you are around and/or have a secure run (cats, birds of prey etc...) They will adapt quickly and enjoy themselves!
Make sure you have enough SHADE (sheet of mdf comes in useful or an old bath towel that is pegged over the top and the sunny side. It will also serve as an extra "protection" for the piggies to encourage them out. Once they realise that most sounds don't threaten them, they'll ignore them.
Put a bottle filled with water in the freezer tonight and use it wrapped in a towel for the piggies to cool down. You can also serve cucumber bits or melon straight from the fridge - they'll love you for them!
i think i'm more nervous of them being out than they are! just one of them over panicky people!
i've got some water bottles on standby for the buns and pigs so i'll put one in the run with them tomorrow and hopefully they'll have a nice day grazing!
i put the run in the shade and sheltered one end with a towel, they seemed to feel safer like that. and they had their beloved box to hide in aswell. it has three holes cut in it though and the lid has a gap so it's got air blowing through it and is cool still.
Can't wait to see them when I'm back from visiting mum-in-law on Sunday evening... something to look forward to!
They like a hut, but not full summer sun. Towel over the sunny end is fine - the feel safe that way. Have fun - piggy watching is addictive (see my own pics when it got too hot to work in the garden...).
My babies went out on the grass for the 1st time too yesterday! They were also a bit nervous at 1st, but they were out for about 2 hours with me watching, and by the last half hour were confidently nibbling grass. No running around playing and popcorning yet but am sure this will come (maybe even today!).
Just to reassure you I was also very paranoid about having them outside especially as I noticed a neighbour's cat staking them out...I don't feel confident yet to leave them in their run without me having an eye on them...they are so precious!
Do your piglets behave weirdly when you have them on your lap together? Mine almost fight a bit and I now tend to cuddle them on their own. They do a weird sort of rolling over/sideways popcorn and jump on each other causing irritation. They don't do it when they are on their own so I wondered if it might be an attention thing? It might not be jealousy though as I don't feel like they love me enough to be jealous yet!
you did two hours and i only did ten minutes! i'm way too cautious!
i'm actually boiling - just put together their run for them. it's an old run my buns had years ago and it's all weathered and the pieces don't fit together perfectly (my ocd over straight lines has gone into overdrive! but i've done ok from what it was, and it's a nice size for them aswell (i hope!) it's 6ft x 4ft so that's a nice space for just the two of them i think.
going to put them out in a bit with their toys and frozen ice bottle and hopefully they will have a good time!
aww, glad yours seemed to do well outside yesterday. there's so many new sights and smells for them so it's all exciting but quite daunting i guess!
you're braver than me, i know i will never leave them alone, even in the run. i'd have heart failure doing that! :...:...:... i don't even leave them alone in the house without a 'pig' sitter! rolleyes same for my two bunnies aswell. me thinks some therapy is in order....maybe one day! rolleyes
my two prefer to sit together on my knee really. i get chesney out first and he sits in his little bed on the settee with my bf whilst i go and get maisie and then he scrambles over to find her and they sit side by side on my knee. they seem to prefer this. maisie is chesneys little shadow though! mind you, she seemed much calmer than ches last night on my knee. she hasn't been here long so i was really pleased she seems to be getting more and more confident. ches was different and trusted me and bonded with me straight away. maisie was a bit more shy, but i built up trust by hand feeding her, and when i had to pick her up, i didn't 'chase' her when she ran away, and sometimes i can be sat there for 20 minutes or so, but eventually she realises that i'm just lifting her up to go and find chesney so she stands up to let me lift her. last night she let me pick her up after about 5 minutes so we are making good progress.
you will have to get lots of pics of yours and post them. i'd love to see them.
i'm just charging my phone, silly battery went as i went to take pics of the run! when i take ches and maisie outside i put them together in a washing up bowl and carry them out in that. very cute!
wondering whether to take them out now or in a bit after the hottest part of the day has gone. they should be all right i guess if they have their bottle and plenty of shade.
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