Piggies don’t like their pen

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VickieC

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Hi everyone, I’m new to all this! We are now the proud owners of two boys…..Mr Bubbles & Mr Squeaks. We’ve had them for two weeks now and they are starting to get comfortable with us….will sit out and eat in front of us and once (only once so far!) have taken food from my hand. Ordering a 6x2 c&c cage as only have a smaller one we bought when we got them so have got them a play pen in the meantime. Thought they would love it as lots of room, treats and food to tempt them but they just aren’t interested-any ideas why? I’ll put them back in their cage and they come straight out of their hidey, popcorn and sit out happily chatting. Left them out in the pen today whilst we were out (so nice and quiet) and they haven’t moved! Pics of set up…..any pointers gratefully received, Vicky
 

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:wel:
They may be feeling insecure and exposed. After two weeks they will hopefully be starting to see their cage as their territory, it will smell of them. The playpen probably doesn’t smell of them if you have put down fresh bedding - piggies don’t like areas which don’t smell of piggies - they don’t know if it is safe. If you can try to make the playpen smell like them then it would help.
It would also be a good idea to cover part of the playpen with a blanket so they feel more hidden.
The same goes when you get their new cage - they will need to know if is a safe space.

Do also be aware that any new territory will cause them to reestablish their relationship so changing cages, environment etc will cause an increase in dominance behaviours.
Be careful with the one exit hidey/tent - this has the potential to be a flash point during any periods of dominance as it only has one exit so a piggy can get trapped by the other inside it

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
 
Thanks! Almost as soon as I posted this they were out and about doing laps! Think they have knackered their selves out as both snuggled up now. Have an extra hidey which will put in too-they seem quite happy sharing, for the moment!

Didn’t realise how much space these guys take up!
 
Can I see some fluffy type white bedding in there? If so, then please do remove it for safety purposes - legs can get caught and seriously injured in that kind of bedding
 
We started off using the bedding but Squeaks (the brown guy) starting eating it so have removed now…..he’ll eat anything! Just going big on hay and making sure they have clean blankets etc every other day
 
That’s a lovely looking play pen. Piggies are just naturally cautious prey animals, so that is probably why it took them some time to adjust to the open space of the pen as compared to their cage. Good to hear that you’ve got a c and c cage on order. They will love the space. Just a word of warning - piggies slowly take over your home, your space and your income. Before you know it they’ve taken over a whole room and you are squashed into a corner somewhere, worried that your presence is disturbing them in some way :lol!:
 
VickiA said:
That’s a lovely looking play pen. Piggies are just naturally cautious prey animals, so that is probably why it took them some time to adjust to the open space of the pen as compared to their cage. Good to hear that you’ve got a c and c cage on order. They will love the space. Just a word of warning - piggies slowly take over your home, your space and your income. Before you know it they’ve taken over a whole room and you are squashed into a corner somewhere, worried that your presence is disturbing them in some way :lol!:
Click to expand...
Can feel that already! Worth it though as so cute!
 
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