Slight update on my boys

Status
Not open for further replies.
Bobby&Frankie

Bobby&Frankie

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Apr 9, 2012
Messages
355
Reaction score
4
Points
0
Location
Wolverhampton, UK
Just a small update i forgot to post rolleyes
I managed to catch Frankie the other day and he wasn't as wriggly as his previous owner had said (i put him against my chest as he was squirming). I put him back when he started to squeek a little (wasn't an alarming one but i also didn't want to hold him too long).
I haven't managed to catch Bobby yet but i am getting closer as he's not as fast as he was :p

When i went to pick them up, their owner was holding them like hamster, she was just holding them round their mid-section and not supporting their bum ?/ when she was talking to me she was still moving her hand like normal but holding the piggies, she wasn't too harsh but she was a little forceful putting them in their carrier.
My parents held the adults whilst i talked to my friends and she seemed a little forceful with them (my parents were quite shocked) so i think it's going to take a bit of time for me to get them to understand i won't be so harsh with them.

My friend has mentioned it to her but they keep getting into arguments over it as their old owner thinks she knows best mallethead

I haven't been able to spend much time with them since Sunday as i've been at uni and i'm out from 6.30-7. I've asked my mum to leave them (she's not too great with animals) and my dad occasionally puts his hand in to try and get them used to him (he's actually fallen for one of my pets 8))
i finish for the year on 1 june (after exams) and i'll have 5 months with them before i start my second year.
Has anyone got any tips to try and help me build trust, when i offer them their fave. foods they either look like they've seen a ghost (or monster) or run into their nest.
Sorry about the long post but mishandling is one thing which gets me especially when they don't want improvement tips.
Thank you xoxo
 
Poor things being handled in such a way. That is very dangerous as you must always support guinea pigs spines.

With them getting to know you it just takes time and patience. Hold them everyday and speak softly to them. You can offer them a nice bit of vegetable while you have them on your lap. You can have them under a fleece as they feel safer that way.
 
piggyfan said:
Poor things being handled in such a way. That is very dangerous as you must always support guinea pigs spines.

With them getting to know you it just takes time and patience. Hold them everyday and speak softly to them. You can offer them a nice bit of vegetable while you have them on your lap. You can have them under a fleece as they feel safer that way.
Click to expand...

That's the problem though i can't even pick them up as they scarper too quickly, i've given them so many hiding places but i'd prefer they feel safer, i was watching them early and although they looked terrified Frankie was squeaking and i found a website which had audio's and it was the 'happy' noise he was making.
I may try a little apple or something, Bobby's favourite definitely seems to be romaine lettuce but he freezes or runs when i offer it to him :)
 
:laluot_01: (lol looks like Hulk Hogan)

Went to visit the boys and decided to clean them out, so...catching time.
It took me about 3 minutes to catch Frankie as he definitly is the more confident one, and then on to Bobby - HALF AN HOUR! haha, bless him. I put them in the cat carrier and offered them a bit of lettuce as an apology (didn't eat it). Bobby was flat out in seconds (i obviously tired him out) and Frankie kept watch for about 20 minutes and then snuggled next to him to get some sleep.

After i cleaned them they were VERY submissive. Wide eyed etc. so i took the opportunity to weigh them.
Bobby is 231g
Frankie is 224g
and they're both about 4 and a half weeks old. I can't feel any bones etc. so i'm assuming they're ok (even though they do seem very light and i know nothing about their brother).
Anyway i gave them a cuddle and put them back in their hutch and they started squeeking, as it's been such a big day for them (stresswise) i'm leaving them until 7 when i give them their tea.
Oh and i always give them enough food so i hopefully see a little bit left so i know they have the option to eat
 
Piggies are funny things and choose when they want to get used to you.
I remember when i got my first piggies it was a case of alot of time on the bed with a blanket on it, that way they could be up on the bed and i could sit on the floor and not be as intimidating, by leaving them to do there own thing with a bowl of veggies they soon calmed down together, it's easier when there together, my loan boar took AGES to even calm down and he's not all the calm now.
My little pair have been with me for 7/8 months now and i still find it difficult to catch them, it's a case of cornering them but there fine once there out.
I think aslong as you keep going with what your doing it will get better, also try ALOT of veggies to find there favourites, i found a week spot in my fosters with grapes as they'd been mistreated and found it hard to trust anyone but now they've gone on to live in a school with lots of kids and love it !
It just takes alot of time and they'll get there one day as long as your patient, you sound like your doing a great job with them so far (:
 
Thanks, i'm going shopping on friday, their favourites so far are definitely romaine and carrot. Going to take a list of safe veg with me.
 
Bobby&Frankie said:
Thanks, i'm going shopping on friday, their favourites so far are definitely romaine and carrot. Going to take a list of safe veg with me.
Click to expand...

Oh Romaine is a winner to get to any pigs heart, i think it's been a favourite of all my piggies rolleyes
I have saved a list to my phone of veggies, it's always helpful when your wondering around tesco or something, another good things is to go shopping quite late and raid the reduced, this way you can try different veg without wasting money if they don't like it, this has worked out great for me in the past! And it lasts quite a while considering it's reduced.
 
karonus said:
I love spinach so I have to share with piggies.
Click to expand...

I've just bought a massive bag of spinach ! reduced at tesco ;) i'm not sure i like it so i have never eaten it haha, maybe i'll end up sharing with the piggies one day ! :^-
 
I think there's spinach in their cress mix. They seem to like it tbh.
They're still running from me and when i went to change their water, i came back and there was a veg trail leading to their bed lol
 
Bobby&Frankie said:
I think there's spinach in their cress mix. They seem to like it tbh.
They're still running from me and when i went to change their water, i came back and there was a veg trail leading to their bed lol
Click to expand...

My piggies always run away when i come in the room but i think thats natural behaviour, as they're prey animals (:
 
I'm going to go back out after the simpsons and see if i can get them to come over. I am amazed how well they're doing though, i've had them 4 days and they've got amazing appetites, they're squeeking when they see me (just running away) and Frankie is being the bravest animal i've known, he won't come over but i'm sure he'll defend his brother to the death if he had to - he's so protective but he hasn't harmed me yet either
 
Are these your first piggies? Babies are much harder to catch than adults lol :))

Anyway these are my tips you can try:

Feed them their veggies first before handling, if you feed them until they are more relaxed & full they are much easier to pick up as they are very excitable when hungry. I've always done this & found mine easier to catch.

Use an upturned box or a chube/snuggle tunnel & let them go into it first then cover both ends with your hands trapping the piggy in the middle & then you can safely pick them up. If using a box be very careful that they don't jump out.

To get them used to you if you have an indoor run or some C & C grids to make one up, sit in the middle with the piggies & let them sniff you & talk to them quietly. Offer them nice veggies or some grass & they will soon come up to you for them. You need to do that about half an hour every day, not too long for them to get stressed, just long enough.

Although I have had mine since last September one of mine is still very nervous & always runs away from me, one other is gradually getting braver & although not that easy to catch is happy to sit on my lap & eat.

Daisy, in my avatar is exceptionally friendly & trusting. I can tickle her all over, she eats from my hand & will always come to see me when I go to the cage. I stroke her in the cage & rub her chin, & she will stretch out & close her eyes x)

Good luck! :)
 
Poppy'sMum said:
Are these your first piggies? Babies are much harder to catch than adults lol :))

Anyway these are my tips you can try:

Feed them their veggies first before handling, if you feed them until they are more relaxed & full they are much easier to pick up as they are very excitable when hungry. I've always done this & found mine easier to catch.

Use an upturned box or a chube/snuggle tunnel & let them go into it first then cover both ends with your hands trapping the piggy in the middle & then you can safely pick them up. If using a box be very careful that they don't jump out.

To get them used to you if you have an indoor run or some C & C grids to make one up, sit in the middle with the piggies & let them sniff you & talk to them quietly. Offer them nice veggies or some grass & they will soon come up to you for them. You need to do that about half an hour every day, not too long for them to get stressed, just long enough.

Although I have had mine since last September one of mine is still very nervous & always runs away from me, one other is gradually getting braver & although not that easy to catch is happy to sit on my lap & eat.

Daisy, in my avatar is exceptionally friendly & trusting. I can tickle her all over, she eats from my hand & will always come to see me when I go to the cage. I stroke her in the cage & rub her chin, & she will stretch out & close her eyes x)

Good luck! :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, i'll give it a go.
Yes they are my first piggies, i saw it as a bit of a rescue mission as my friend told me about the way they were handled etc. :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top