question! :-)

  • Thread starter Thread starter __kt
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
K

__kt

Hey guys (:

I've had my guinea pigs for about a day now.

I'm just wondering what are the average time to start handling them?
I heard that the first time you handle them, you are meant to put your fist in and let them smell you?

P.S - My piggie lives in a hutch in my garden with his brother, is this okay or should i consider moving him inside?
 
Hi and welcome!

First, it is ok for them to be outside in a hutch in the summer as long as they are sheltered from any hot sun (yeah where is that then? :))) and rain (more likely). They need to be checked on often to make sure they have enough water etc.. and they will need exercise in a run in good weather or in an area indoors in bad weather.
Once it gets chilly, they are better being brought indoors or a heated shed if you have one. Their body temperatures are similar to ours so if you imagine being outside day and night in a light jumper in winter, you can imagine what it would be like for them :)

As for getting them used to you, veggie or fresh herbs treats work well. So let them come to you to eat them from your hand and talk softly to them etc..they will soon know who you are and with regular contact become quite tame. Some pigs are more tame than others, I have a mix of both!
 
I have already realised how tame they are (:

My sister's is my piggie's brother, his name is Rocco.
He is very socialble and loves to eat (:

Mine is called Kabuki.
Kabuki is a very skitterish piggie, i'm hoping he will get used to his new home, he doesn't
seem to like the cold very much so thats why i'm think of moving him.

hmmmm.
 
Hi, welcome to the forum :)

I would second what Fiona said, but would add that if you can keep them indoors it has the advantage of keeping an eye on their behaviour and health, and you will also get to know their individual personalities as well.

When we have new arrivals I try to avoid handling then too much if it can be helped in the first couple of days and try and talk to them or around them so they can get to know your voice and smell etc. Don't worry if they seem to be skittish or run away, they are likely to do that for quite a while as they are natural prey animals, many new owners think their guineas don't like them because they don't run to them or accept food, but this is perfectly natural! It all comes with time and patience :)

Welcome to the world of being a piggie slave!
 
I've handled all my piggies from day one. They are indoor pigs however, so live with us directly. Although they are in the relative quiet of the 'dining room', they had to get used to sounds such as the TV, computer and human noise. So, they've always been handled in a 'this is the way it's going to be' type fashion. And seem fine. Garry is the most skittish and always will be - he'll run into his pigloo as soon as he spots someone, unless he's hiding by the hayrack where he believes he's invisible. Minty pretends to be a cocky little piggy, but sometimes he can run away, unless he hears the sweetie bag... Ben and Dave are the opposite end of the scale. They arrived separately with me, both very individual piggies, but both very confident. Sometimes a nightmare to get hold of, but they will happily sit and watch you...don't even mind me clattering around them with the hoover!

I've just always thought that the sooner they get used to you the better and the sooner they will learn that you are on their side!:)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top