Rough Start--any advice on making up for a bad first impression?

[nonscripta]

Hiya! I'm Non.

I got my two boys three days ago--brothers, a month and a half old, well handled by the lady I got them from and her family--but I think I've made a pretty bad first impression.

The plan was to let them get used to their cage for a few days then let them roam the room, but delivery got delayed. I kept them in a temporary enclosure for a few days, but it was quite small, so I'd let them out in the room in the day. Unfortunately, this involved picking them up. I think I got a little over eager. They haven't left their hideys when I'm in the room or made any noise. I had to pick them up again today to put them in their actual hutch.
They've been eating fine when I'm not there.

I know they might just need some time to settle in, but I'm worried I've messed things up. Most sources have said I need to handle them often while they're young, but my main priority is their comfort, so I'm a little unsure. Any advice for mending relations?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Please don’t worry!
Piggies are prey animals and most don’t like being handled anyway, regardless of how long you’ve had them, but they absolutely will settle in and will trust you despite the way you are feeling now. It takes time for any piggy though.
Leave them to settle in now for a few days and then take things at their pace. The best thing is to start offering food from your hand. If they are confident enough to take food from your hand, then you have gained their trust.

With boars, the important thing is lots of space, they need more room than a sow pair - a hutch of 6ft x 2ft is recommended for a boar pair to give them enough territory each. Once you get to know them better, then you will see how is the dominant piggy. It’s then important that you respect their hierarchy and handle the dominant piggy first. Ensure all your hideys have two exits, so don’t used any enclosed hideys where a piggy can be cornered by the other piggy.

I’ll add in some guides below to help you

New Owners' Most Helpful How-To Guides and Information
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

 

[Wiebke]

Hiya! I'm Non.

I got my two boys three days ago--brothers, a month and a half old, well handled by the lady I got them from and her family--but I think I've made a pretty bad first impression.

The plan was to let them get used to their cage for a few days then let them roam the room, but delivery got delayed. I kept them in a temporary enclosure for a few days, but it was quite small, so I'd let them out in the room in the day. Unfortunately, this involved picking them up. I think I got a little over eager. They haven't left their hideys when I'm in the room or made any noise. I had to pick them up again today to put them in their actual hutch.
They've been eating fine when I'm not there.

I know they might just need some time to settle in, but I'm worried I've messed things up. Most sources have said I need to handle them often while they're young, but my main priority is their comfort, so I'm a little unsure. Any advice for mending relations?

Hi!

You may find our new owners guide collection very helpful - it is one of the best information resources around and worth bookmarking. We have dedicated a whole chapter to all kinds of aspects of settling in your piggies, explaining where they are coming from and how you can avoid triggering their prey animal instincts and make friends with them in their own social body language ('piggy whispering') long before they have learned to figure out humans.

This is our full New Owners guide, which specifically addresses all the areas that we get the most questions and cries for help about and that also helps to learn what is normal and own as well as lots of practical care tips, following best welfare practice.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Here is the direct link to our section on social interaction with guinea pigs: Settling In And Making Friends With Guinea Pigs - A Guide