Very hard decision:Rehoming my piggies

[sherbert]

Hi all,

Please dont hate me or think I'm a terrible person but i am considering rehoming my pair of 2yr old female piggies. They are lovely healthy piggies, but they are very very timid. I think that they might benefit from being part of a larger group and they might come out of themselves more. We have tried and tried to socialise them, but they just seem to hate being handled.

I wanted some advice on what people think is best for the piggies, all i want is for them to have the best happiest life possible and i am worried that we are not giving them that as we are not handling them enough. Do people think that they would be better off in a larger group with a more experienced person or will they be fine staying with me without being handled (i mean could it be that they are perfectly happy just dont really like humans? 98) ) This is a very hard decision for me and we will not let them go to just anyone. We dont even want them to go through a rescue, if they are to be rehomed we would like them to go to someone with a group of piggies who has a lot of experience and can give them the best life, also someone we can meet in person .

Thanks

 

[dazie]

Awwwww how long have you had them?

All my piggies bar 4 of my boars were timid and some of my sows still are and It has taken time for them to get used to me and it doesn't take a few weeks with mine it has taken months and now they meet me at the door and take food from my hand and don't mind being handled but would rather run around on the grass Pickle absolutely hates being handled but I see at as her just being her and I made her a little pouch and she is fine if in there and not in my hands. Where are you maybe some one can come see them and give you some advice before you make the decision to re home

 

[smiler]

Guineas take a long time to trust people, but when they do it is very rewarding.

I would urge you not to take them away from everything they know, and to spend even 10 mins everyday taking them out, every lttle helps!

Some pigges just dont like being handled, and if thats the case, they will be happy enough with eachother for contact.

I dont understand what you think someone else can do for them that you cant!

When you take on a pet, its a lifelong responsibility, so I think you should really try harder with them, a little bit of effort goes a long way! :smitten:

 

[sherbert]

I have had them since they were babies.

As stated in my first post i have tried with them, taking them out for 10mins etc. Please dont assume that i just dont care and that i am not taking responsibility. As also stated in my post i am considering rehoming them, and only if it is in their best interest not mine! I asked for advice not critisism

 

[MemberX]

Hi Sherbet,

Nobody is critising you. Please don't think like that. All we can do here is advise and try to help. I have five pigs and yes my boys are still hard work they enjoy a cuddle but a very active and end up sniffing around and climbing everywhere. I agree with PP don't take them away from the surroundings they are used to, you obviously care a great deal about them.

Where about are you, as dazie said maybe someone close by can help.

Good luck!

Louise
x

 

[smiler]

I am trying to give you advice; take them out a few times a day for 10 mins, sit by the cage and talk to them, get them used to your presense, and some guineas just dont like being handled, and will be happy with eachother for company In my eyes, its not a reason to consider rehoming

 

[MemberY]

I dont think PP was criticisng you at all, just giving you some encouragement
Maybe you should make two lists....reasons for rehoming them and reasons for keeping them, then review it and go from there.
I have 6 piggies...3 love being handled and cuddled, one absolutely hates it and stresses out so I only handle him when I need to but he likes being stroked and will eat from my hand etc, and the 2 newbies I have just adopted are wrigglers and were not handled much from babies but I am handling them daily for 10 minutes or so, they may get used to it, they may not. The point is, they are all different and yours are probably perfectly happy as they are

 

[LucyT]

I don't post on here very much but I really wanted to reply to this thread as I have felt the same as you before.

My 2 piggies also hate to be picked up, Pickle especially but I think that is because she is poorly :'( I used to get really wound up with myself, wondering what I had done wrong and why they didn't like me. Then one day I just thought that if I was their size, I probably wouldn't like to be picked up by someone as big as me either ;D

So now, I just spend time talking to them in their cage or I get them out in the bathroom (I do have a garden but also 2 very keen whippets so I don't want to have any acccidents!). I also just get them out on the bed (be very careful though as piggys don't have a head for heights!) and talk to them. I never really sit them on my lap because they just don't like it and would rather be back in with their mate

Do you keep your piggies indoors and if not would it be possible to? This way you would be able to just talk to them whilst getting on with other things, but they will be getting used to the sound of our voice. Good luck with your piggies :smitten: