Hi! I've been on a few times. Our gp's have been with us for two weeks now. They're definitely friendlier when we go out in to the garden. They're spending more time upstairs and downstairs in the hutch and are eating well but I have a few questions - hopefully not silly onesmallethead!
We do have a run for them (one of those triangular ones). I did try to put them in it once early on but when I tried to get them back out again, they almost escaped me! Is it worth giving it a go again? And should I avoid putting them on to the grass until things dry up a bit?
I have been handling them a little but I can't seem to get them out via the front doors of the hutch. I can only get them if I lift the roof which seems to make them run around like mad things. Is this the right thing to do?
They still don't seem to drink loads of water - is this common? I've seen one of them use the water bottle and I've placed it near to their sleeping area so if they are feeling shy, they don't have to come out far but I'm a little worried they don't drink enough. They have been eating a lot of veg though!
I keep reading things on here about clipping nails - I wasn't aware that was something that I needed to do. How often and how can you tell when they need clipping?
Sorry if these seem like odd questions to be asking now we are already owners but I'm a regular reader here and you all seem to know your stuff:...!
hi kelly same name as me well you must make sure the grass isnt to damp when you put the pigies out to graze .They may be skittish for a little while only two out of my eight will let me pick them up with no fuss as regards to water they are all different two of my boars drink hardly any while my five sows and my other boar drink loads they get a lot of water from veg as well sounds like your doing a fine job
also with nails i tend to do mine every couple of weeks or when they need doing they can get quite sharp i think there is a guide to cutting nails in the health and illness section hope this helps.
I don't like the triangle runs personally as they are so hard to get pigs out of again (as you've discovered!) I can only suggest maybe someone else helps yoou get them out?
don't worry about the water, as long as the water bottle is working they will take what they need
its fine to lift the roof on the hutch, they will eventually get used to it, and in time you will be able to take them from the hutch doors without lifting the roof
you don';t need to worry about nails until they get long - if the pigs have white nails you can see the blood vessel which you should obv avoid cutting, if very unsure take them to the vet who should charge a very small fee to trim them for you
Hello again,
I would definately persevere with putting them in the run, it's nice for them to get a change of scenery and run about or just sit and munch the grass, when it's dry.If your worried use a strong box or pet carrier to transfer them from one place to another.
If at the moment the only way you can catch them is from above then thats what you have to do until they calm down but generally when tamer they deem a forward approach as less stressful.
My guineas drink very little so don't worry they are receiving fluids through the grass and veg.
As for nails there is a good sticky at the top of the Health and Illness section.
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