Noise Noob... and Nervy Me!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Willowzee
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Willowzee

Hey guys!

Well I tried handling Smokey and Bandit again when I got home, they made a few squeaks when I tried catching them this time, although I was slow and gentle, but I perservered and got them inside on a fleece on my lap, now apart they didn't make a sound at all, just sat kinda still.

When I put them together on my lap Smokey started making what I *think* was an annoyed sound and started nibbling on my clothes, while Bandit climbed all the way up to my neck and nestled under my hair, closely followed by his pal!

I put them back to my lap again and held out some basil, Smokey nibbled at it then started making the noise again, louder. I figured it was probably time to put them back, they'd been out about 10 mins? (had them 3 days now), but I don't know if he was annoyed at me or his mate, or just was like "get me back in the cage, lady! I want my watermelon and hay!"

I am really really nervy of handling them, because I don't want to be bitten, as bad as that sounds LOL! Although I try to handle them with confidence. I have a 10yr old and a 2.5yr old that won't be allowed to handle them until they're a bit more settled, but they enjoy a little stroke. I almost had a fit when Bandit lunged at my neck to get under my hair LOL!

Is there anything you can suggest? I've read all the help but should I take things a bit slower with these guys? I don't want to rush them and end up making things worse for them, but on the other hand I want them to know we love them tons and just want to have some cuddles and give some treats, i'm worried if we don't handle them they will get vicious or something :(

Any tips, or whacks about the head appreciated! :))
 
All sounds good to me. Cuddling for a few minutes at a time is fine for now. I still rarely have my pigs on my lap for more than 10 minutes as they're not particularly cuddly pigs. When they were little they always dashed up to hide under my hair, I'd forgotten about it til you said. I almost always use a cosy now though and my girls seem quite happy with that and most of the time will get in it with no problems when I want to pick them up. It's much preferable than being picked up by hand.

I think it's just as important to spend time next to the cage letting them get used to you as it is to handle them. When I got my pigs I often sat on the floor reading a book or doing something else. They seemed less stressed by me being closer to their level. I also think it reinforces that you being close by doesn't automatically mean the scary picking up thing is about to happen.

But most importantly it takes time. I've had my girls since December and only a few weeks ago I was posting and being very excited because Flumpet started taking food from my hand when she was in the cage. Yay! :(|)
 
oo i think youve got two piggies that love you very very much!
when a pig nibbles your clothes its a sighn of affection!

my marmite burrows into my hair she thinks its hay, silly pig!
 
Hi there,

It's only been 3 days, honestly don't worry or flap, take your time. It will be all new to them, new smells, new sounds etc. As far as the hiding in your hair, it's normal for them to take cover and hide. Just give it time, they will get into a routine with you such as eating patterns, gentle strokes. It's unlikely they will become vicious, both your confidence and them with you will come to fruition. I'm guessing your kids are begging to getting more involved also. Like everything, all good things come to those that wait.

Continue with short lap times and stroking, it will come. x
 
Aww thanks for the replies, I know I shouldn't flap, i'm naturally flappy, you'll get to see that more, i'm sure LOL!

I do sit near their cage sometimes :D, it's outside so the last couple days me and the lil one have been out there, with our deckchairs just chilling by the cage, they've come out a few times while we've been there, and seemed ok, I try and instill it into the lil one not to be uber loud or lunge at them, and so far she's been pretty good for her age, bless her!

I have ordered a couple of cozies and will try getting them in those when they arrive, hopefully that will be less traumatic than the hand lol.

I just want them to get along and be best buds like my older two were, they were scatty whilst being caught, but once held were lovely little things :))
 
how are things now willowzee? I feel the same as you I have two sows they are 9 weeks now...but cotton gets very restless when I have lap time...she wriggles and seem to try to turn and nip me! Now this scares me!lol:)):)) Never had one like that before...she growls at me as well as if to say get off! I'm hoping this will get better in time as I really love cuddle time! What do you think..Anyone?
 
Eva is pretty good at being picked up. She'll just sit there and let me. But the other two run for the hills! And they're all over a year old now. So maybe it's their natural instinct to run.
 
Linny pop said:
how are things now willowzee? I feel the same as you I have two sows they are 9 weeks now...but cotton gets very restless when I have lap time...she wriggles and seem to try to turn and nip me! Now this scares me!lol:)):)) Never had one like that before...she growls at me as well as if to say get off! I'm hoping this will get better in time as I really love cuddle time! What do you think..Anyone?
Click to expand...

Heya!

Glad to see i'm not the only one in fear of nippage LOL!

They were ok this morning, a bit squeaky when first picked up, but soon settled on a towel on the couch with some munch! I just went to pick them up to put them in the run for an hour or so, and Smokey did a really high pitched squeak but then stopped, i'm not sure if maybe I touched somewhere he didn't want touching :(

They're in the run now, venturing out of hidey holes now and then to nibble!

One thing I have noticed is that they are barely touching their dried food, I have both mix and pellets and neither seem to be moving, am I giving them too much fresh/hay or what? Cos that mostly goes!

Cheers
 
Youngsters are notoirous for not being able to sit still for any length of time. Handling them for short bursts is better than for long. I always put piggies down when they get squirmy and indicate that they want to go home; most often, my cuddles don't last longer than 10-15 minutes with some of my piggies finding five minutes long enough, thank you!
 
Yup, that's what I figured, haven't handled them for longer than about 5 mins, then let them free range roam, don't want to overwhelm them! :)
 
i agree, lap time with cotton ball lasts about 5 minutes if I'm lucky at the moment! she loves being petted inside her cage though, i think she feel safe in there^)^)
 
i agree, lap time with cotton ball lasts about 5 minutes if I'm lucky at the moment! she loves being petted inside her cage though, i think she feel safe in there^)^)
 
Aww, one thing I've noticed is when they are handled individually they are calmer, when I have them together Smokey burrows under Bandit until he has Bandit on his head! They also get louder when together. Hope this doesn't mean fisticuffs! They are fine when free ranging it, not always snuggling... Often wandering in diff directions but then hiding together behind the same house.
 
lol...if i handle one at a time they keep calling eachother so loud, i have to go get the other...then they get aggitated with eachother on my lap..i dont know these piggies:)):)) How old are yours? Mine are 9 weeks now, and just so greedy...and have noticed them leaving their nuggets just lately.(could it be the heat?)! they are probably enjoying their refreshing veggies at the moment more... Will have to cut them down:p...they are getting fat little bellies on them:)):))
 
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