Floor time?

[toast]

Hiya,
I’ve been interested in getting my pigs used to having (supervised in a safe area) floor time. They live in a c&c and have a pop up play pen they enjoy, but I’d like to introduce them to floor time without them freezing up because of prey instinct. How can I make it less stressful for them?

 

[Tribble Troubler]

I started out with lots of hides available and giving them a big pile of hay and a small stack of veggies, they would sneak out just to steal the veggies the first few times, but slowly realized they were safe and now they love exploring. I don't put the veggies out until the very end now because they don't need the encouragement to leave their hidey. Tunnels are great and blankets that they can burrow under to explore while feeling safe.

I like to sit on the floor reading or something else quiet so I don't move around too much and scare them, but they can run up and climb on me when they want.

Just remember that they can squeeze into much smaller spaces than you'd think, it isn't easy coaxing a stressed piggy out from under a couch

 

[rp1993]

We found this with our boys, over time they did get better, a big pile of hay normally helps, is the cage on the floor? We have started to remove a grid and I have cut a little door in the correx so they can come and go as they please (we have an open plan flat so are always in the same room!) that has really we helped and they love coming out doing a few popcorns having a wander and then going home!

 

[Fantasimo]

I second having boxes things for them to hide in and run through. Also, my boys love when I make myself a hide, as in, sitting down with my legs bent so they can run through them and behind me. They always used to popcorn like mad when I did that when they were little