handling piggies

  • Thread starter Thread starter emachild
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
E

emachild

Hi, I have had my 2 girlies since Christmas but sadly they are still not very keen on being handled. I followed advice in books about letting them settle in for a week or so and then started picking them up for cuddles every day, but they run away and I have to chase them up and down the hutch before I catch them then they just look so worried I feel guilty for disturbing them.

Any advice on how to improve our relationship would be a great help!
 
I've had my boys for almost a year now and they still run when I go to pick them up but they enjoy cuddles once they're out. It's just the flying through the air part they aren't keen on. There isn't much you can do about it really, it's their natural instinct to run. To reduce the stress I generally tend to corner them with my hands. For example I'll put one hand in front of their face while the other scoops them under the middle. This way they know it's coming but it's slow and not just a hand quickly grabbing them from above.
 
Like gus and jack has implied, grabbing them from above will not help as this is where their predators would attack from. Have you tried putting them in the run or in a room and just sitting with them? Hand feeding is also good to try and bathing, however, the guineas have to trust you to a certain extent otherwise it is to stressful. It will take time, give it another couple of months and you should have some progress, however, they may still run away from as it is their natural instinct. O0
 
thanks, I do try and corner them but they are pretty quick! Sasha looks like she is going to bite if I put my hand if front of her but so far I have moved in time :laugh:

I thought I might give them some space and try again soon hoping they wont panic so much, the last thing I want is to scare them.

Once they are in my lap they do settle but like to sit right next to each other.
 
Just handle them for a small period of time a couple times a day and build it up. How old are they by the way? :)
 
They were both babies when I got them at Christmas. I don't think they had been away from mum long when i got them they were really small. That said the place I got them from does have a good reputation so I suppose they knew they were alright to sell.
 
My piggies dont really like being handled but I have a blanket and I sit them on that and stroke them they dont mind that too much. I also sit in their runs with them so they can sniff me and run over me this helps too .
 
I have one "Ruby" that comes willingly for a cuddle she Wheeks and comes over to me :smitten:
The others run! But once been picked up they are ok some even fall to sleep :smitten:
 
of my 4 guinea pigs the 1 I have the most trouble with is Fizz , an Absyinian, she is a pig with attitude & tries to bite , I 've found the best way to handle he is to sit with her in my sons old fleece hat, she can snuggle in it & is quite content to spend a fair ammount of time on my knee. Her sis , Abbigail is a real sweetie & loves to spend time with you.
 
I think all piggies are different. Lennie hates being picked up but will climb onto my lap, Timmy will only climb on my lap if there is grass on it! he hates being stroked and picked up. Teddy and Larry on the other hand love lap cuddles and don't mind being picked up!
 
It does depend on the guinea but if you handle them from a young age they will probably come round in the end, but yes some never do. :)
 
I got a really good tip from someone. You need 2 people and you sit on the floor legs out stretched and feet touching to make a kind of leggy arena that the piggies go in. We've been doing this with our 2 for a couple of weeks now and with their own towels and and little treats (cucumber, cabbage etc) they've become much more trusting of our hands now. They still try to run but not quite as frantically :D

Plus I amuse my neighbours by lying by their run (can't fit in it) and talking to them. They come up to me now and wheek back !
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top