Do you think this is why Barry's like he is?

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Alicia

Alicia

Adult Guinea Pig
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I got Barry in May 2009 and he was an ex-breeder guinea-pig who had been passed around a bit for breeding and apart from that he lived in a cage his whole life :( My guinea-pigs all live outside in hutches and they go in the run daily, and when I first brought him home I put him in the run whilst I cleaned out his hutch for him. As I was cleaning out I looked over at Barry who was just sitting in the corner of the run, looking absolutley terrified. The poor little boy was just sitting there looking around, obviously a bit confused. I went over to him and he sat there and I didn't know why he didn't move about in the run, there was loads of grass and I just assumed he'd be like my other guinea-pigs, eat all the grass straight away. After a few minutes I noticed his nails were quite long and I thought maybe it was painful for him to move or something so I clipped his nails back to a good length then put him back in the run, and again he sat there. This is what he's always done, and now, over a year later, he still goes in the run daily and still just sits in the corner. The poor little mite looks quite scared of the grass and doesn't know what to do with it. I don't understand why he won't move around a bit, I've tried tempting him with foods and things but he just won't budge. The strange thing is he'll eat grass if I give it to him in his bowl or hold it out for him but he won't eat it as it is in the run. I just feel so bad for him because I feel like he's not happy here and like I've failed him. All my other guinea-pigs love the run and the grass and he just seems constantly unhappy and I don't know why. It's even got to the point where I have considered finding him another home but I couldn't bear to part with him and I know that sounds selfish but also if he doesn't like the run here, I don't think he'd like the run anywhere else? Is there anyway to make him enjoy the run a bit more or any way I can cheer him up? I've tried new toys, extra vegetables and things like that and he's just sad. He did live with another boar but as he is an ex-breeding guinea-pig he doesn't really get on with boars and he can't go in with the girls of course.
 
I think that Barry has a wonderful home with you and I don't think you need to think about rehoming him. Are you sure that you can not give him a friend as he may just be lonely? I remember you saying that your boys fell out but may be he would benefit from a younger boar friend if your parents would allow it. Most rescues will let you take your guinea pig along to choose their own friend and will help you introduce them :)
 
Have you ever put a hide on the lawn for Barry or created some small protected area for him to feel more at home and "safe" by placing an old towel over some hides or a corner of the run? Not every piggy does take to the outdoors (especially open spaces) and you can never know what odd baggage rescue pigs come with!

I rehomed a three year old girl that had only ever live in a hutch and she loved the tiny walk-in hutch I bagged from a neighbour to roaming the garden. My Llewelyn still goes into hiding when he hears chicken on tv even after having been rescued from a run he had to share with them - and he's been with me for nearly three years now!
 
Thank you :) He has an igloo and he sometimes sits in that but he normally just sits in the corner of the run. My mum won't let me get another boar because we've never been able to pair them up successfully, I've tried telling her that rescues can help etc. but she is just convinced that boars won't get along and she doesn't want to have an extra hutch if it doesn't work out. I've considered neutering Barry but I don't know how old he is (his old owner told me he was under 1 year old but he also had mites when I got him and she didn't tell me about that so I don't know if she was telling the truth) I have considered neutering him before but I always think yeah it's great I should get him neutered then I see all the cons of neutering and I worry. Also, because I don't really know his history I don't know if it would be risky, but then I don't want him to be unhappy his whole life. :(
 
My mother-in-law has a piggy called Dylan who used to live indoors in a cage. Before putting him outside she introduced him to grass by putting clippings in his bowl in his cage, I'd also suggest putting his indoor cage outside (when its sunny) so he can get used to the smells, sounds and sights in the safety of his pad. (I did this with my boys) and little Dylan used to run around outside in a pigloo for a safety he resembled a turtle! :D I also suggest putting a towl over the top of the run, so no birdies can scare him and the darkness is a little more secure, you could also put in some of his toys or his favourite cuddley cloth/toy/sock in the run with him for security and reassurance. Hope this helps. :)
 
I think the idea of covering part of the run is good. Or you could peg a length of fleece half way up the height of the run which would make a covered low 'roof' for him. I think he has a darn good life with you btw. :)
 
Thank you :) He lives outside and has lived outside ever since I got him so its not a new thing. I really want to get him some company but my Mum won't agree to it but I do think part of the problem is him being lonely. I'll try the covering the run and more interesting things for him in the run.
 
My indoor piggies were none too enamoured of the great outdoors at first. I made a wooden box for them which had no bottom so that they could stay in the box and eat the grass. They slowly but surely began to venture out together. They seem to have the 'safety in numbers' mentality because they are the most brave when my bunny is near to the run nibbling the grass too. A little friend for your boar to share the run with may help him to be braver too.
 
I think that he is feeling really lonely and frightened being ourside on his own.

For neutering, it pays to find an experienced guinea pig vet (ask your local rescue who they use). He won't necessarily be more expensive, but it will cut down a great deal on the risks. Barry will need to pass a health check anyway where the vet will decided whether he is fit enough to be operated on.

Technically, boars are never too old to be neutered, although it is a bit easier for them to bounce back from the op.
 
Duke does this too in the run :(

I am thinking once he is in with Dolly and has a pen and some grass he can access he will feel better about it. They act differently when they are solo pigs don't they?

I agree that a sheltered area and perseverence will make things better.

xx
 
I agree with Wiebke, I'm sure he would be so much more adventurous and happy if he had a friend. And if your Mum doesnt like the idea of another boar than please think seriously about getting him neutered. Think about all the fun he would have with your girls. it must be worth looking into?

I find tunnels are also good for them to run through and hide in along with hidey houses etc.

Its brilliant that your wanting to enrich his life - your a great piggie mummy xoxo

But also most piggies do so much better living with another 1, 2, or 3......:) x>>

These are the tunnels I use in my run etc, this isnt a recent photo and wasnt a hot day otherwise I would have sunshields over it. More run coverage for timid piggies is a must.

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I've also found mine absolutely love a big piece of fleece in the run. they scrabble around under it like mad and can munch on the grass without being seen!
 
Thank you :) I want to get him neutered but I don't know if my Mum will let me. I can pay for it but my Mum doesn't understand about him not being happy so I don't think she'd let me but I can ask.
 
Thank you :) I went and sat with Barry again this afternoon and he came running over to see me, he seems a lot happier today. I left some newspaper in the run whilst I cleaned out another hutch, I came back and Barry had shredded it then sat underneath it because it was shady :)) So tommorow I'm going to give him a pile of old newspapers to rip up because he seems to enjoy it :)) This afternoon I filled his hay ball with grass and he was pulling at that for a while and when I left him he was sitting in his run by the girls hutch talking to Marmalade :))
 
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