How long for piggies to stop darting?

[Nadsgirl75]

Hi... Mickey and Donald are doing great, bonded happily and very healthy. However, considering we’ve had them since June they still dart if they see someone coming. Donald loves laptime and will fall asleep on me, and is they hear footsteps approaching they wheek like crazy which I assume is excitement and the promise of veggies. But then they will still dart for their hidies. They will eat out of my hand and sometimes come when I call if I have food so I gues what I’m asking is when will they will fully comfortable with us, or does that prey instinct mean that darting is just a reflex action?

 

[Piggies&buns]

It can take quite some time depending on their personality. Some are going to be more outgoing and get comfortable quicker, some may never fully settle.
I’ve had my two boys since the end of June. One of them is getting very friendly, he will let me stroke him, and will take food from my hand. He will only run off at sudden movements so as long as I stay slow and steady he will stay out going about his piggy business! The other one runs off and hides the second he knows I’m nearby. He won’t come out again until he thinks I’ve gone. If I stand still and make no sound, he will come back out but if he sees that I’m still there, even the slightest sound or movement, he is off again. He won’t let me touch him, and constantly looks scared if I’m about. He just doesn’t seem to have the confidence that the other one does. I think he is always going to be like this.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi... Mickey and Donald are doing great, bonded happily and very healthy. However, considering we’ve had them since June they still dart if they see someone coming. Donald loves laptime and will fall asleep on me, and is they hear footsteps approaching they wheek like crazy which I assume is excitement and the promise of veggies. But then they will still dart for their hidies. They will eat out of my hand and sometimes come when I call if I have food so I gues what I’m asking is when will they will fully comfortable with us, or does that prey instinct mean that darting is just a reflex action?

Be patient; it can take a long time with some piggies. They are prey animals and never fully lose those instincts. it doesn't mean that they are not happy or well settled!
Start talking before you come into the room, so they know that it is you.

 

[Nadsgirl75]

That’s reassuring that the darting doesn’t relate to how well settled they are. I’m just impatient. Also, I’ve been home for the last 7 weeks as I work in education I’m now back and I work away so I’m gone 3 days a week. I think it’s going to take them some time to adjust to this new routine!

 

[Emz1999]

I tend to notice around the 3 week mark that most piggies will have settled, got used to their routine and will be used to the most frequent sounds so darting will be rare.

Some don't ever stop darting. I have one who is super friendly but still gets her anxious moments and darts. Sometimes it will be for a genuine reason, other times it won't be for any. Thing is, she's now spooking the others so I keep getting moments of darting piggies. This is even with announcing my arrival or keeping my movements gentle and predictable.

 

[DMS260820]

My pigs who are both settled in completely still dart, i notice its more when its calm for a long time then sudden sounds or movements startle them, like when i drop something like a t.v remote on my laminate flooring. They are not as bad as gerbils though. Il literally move a finger and they know and dart underground lol.

 

[Betsy]

Mine still dart after over 2 years if something spooks them and even when they think something may spooks them when there is nothing around!

 

[Jamston]

Mine scare each other when one is sat munching the other will run through a plastic tube which sends munching pig dashing for cover the commotion that one makes the pig and n the tube come darting out and hiding for cover! Funny little things!