Getting piggies more confident

[karen354]

I've had my two lovely piggies a couple of months now. Flopy is 18 months and came from a local rescue.
1 week later I travelled to a rescue about an hour from me and got him a friend called Zac he's about 12 weeks now.

At the moment they are living outside in a hutch and they also get 4 hours a day in their run.

How can I get them to gain their confidence a bit more ? I feed them and they run and hide from me, even in their run they'll hide if I go anywhere near them.

 

[smiler]

Remember guineas are naturally nervous animals, so dont expect too much...

Try sitting by teh side of their cage and just get them used to being around you and your voice.

Get them out several times a day for SHORT periods of time e.g. 5-10 mins, each time giving them a treat (kale etc) so they begin to get used to being handled.

Guinea that are kept inside generally are more tame, as they have more interaction and recognition for the normal household noises and comings and goings!

It will take a good while for them to come out of themselves, but when they do, it will be well worth it! O0

 

[EmmaClaire]

Perfectpiggie is right i have piggies indoors who are very tame they go fast asleep and dont even move a muscle when you walk past or open the cage i also have piggies outside i am fostering for the rspca and i find the piggies in the hutch just run away into the other compartment .when i get them nuetered they have to stay indoors for a couple of days to converles and i really see a difference in them because there is so much going on in the house lots of noise and people talking and walking past they do come out of there shell give them time and lots of attention good luck :smitten: :smitten: Emma x

 

[MemberX]

Hiya Karen,

I agree talking to them is great, let them get used to you. The confidence will grow. I did this with my boys, they now come to the hutch/cage when I am nearby and want me to stroke them. My girls are like your boys but they are getting better. It won't happen over night but they will gain in confidence.

Good luck!

Louise
x

 

[summerleaze]

Perhaps you could try putting them in a small carry case or box and just putting them on your lap and stroking them. Talking quietly and gently.

Eventually they realise that they are not going to come to any harm and it does get them used to "hands". Later you could move on to picking them up but it all takes time.

Good luck with them.

My Hyacinth comes over to the door and gives me a kiss at least ten times a day and she was as mad as a hatter when she first arrived.