Violet and Lavender

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minimowers

minimowers

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Here are Violet (black patch) and Lavender having their first experience of grass. I took them both in on Friday and they are my biggest challenge to date. @)

Both are peruvians and supposedly sisters, they are five months old and already parents. They may also be pregnant again mallethead.

Both have spent their life in a hutch and when I brought them in this evening they didn't seem to have touched the grass at all. They hate being handled and poor Violet struggled so much when I caught them that she left some really deep scratches on my arm. Their nails were really long and will take a lot of gradual trimming due to the state they're in. Violet also has a deep wound on her back which I think was caused by Lavender scrambling over her.

I have given them both a bath although it was very difficult and took two of us to do. Lavender had crusty nipples but they are looking a little better now she has been washed.


The girls behave like no pigs I have ever met before. They cower when I approach them and lavender physically shakes with fear. I haven't heard them make any noise at all yet which I find so strange as my other girls are real chatter boxes.

Once they have gone through quarentine and have become a little more settled I am going to introduce them to Dandilion (my avatar) who is my other peruvian pig. She is such a gentle and loving girl that I'm hoping she can teach them a little piggy behaviour.
 
i`m sure they will settle down with time now they have a good home.
 
Oh what pretty girls x)

Such a shame they've had such a bad start in life - I guess it will take a while for them to become trusting but I'm sure you'll get there. Sounds like they're going to be very spoilt :)

Teresa x
 
From your post I'd say you sound as though you know exactly what you're doing - so I fully expect them to come around and be just as outgoing and loving as your other piggies in time. They are lucky piggies now! Poor little girls though, my heart goes out to them when you describe how they are and what they've been through. (I hope the births are problem free too.) I'm glad they have you as an owner.
 
They are so lovely - I'm so angry at whoever traumatised them so much!

It will probably take you quite a lot of patience and time to settle them, but with gentle perseverence, you can get there.

I have had good results with something slightly whacky when dealing with "wild pigs". You can send them feelings and give them cuddles in your mind. It reassures them as nothing else would. Let the love and encouragement well up in heart and direct it towards them. Also make yourself as small as possible. When you sit with them, imitate a "piggy wash" to signal that you are friendly. Always speak softly and gently.

Try and train them to go in a shoe box or a covered upturned pigloo (with a little treat and a gentle nudge on the back), as being chased and picked up is what they probably fear most. That way you hardly stress them out.

It is working already with my new lot who have arrived on last Monday; one of them being described as "a wild thing" best handled with a pair of gloves, as she has very sharp claws. Washed her on my arm on Wednesday without even one scratch...

But I'm sure that with your experience and the help of a girl they will come around!

All the best for these beautiful sweeties - I grew up with peruvians and still have a soft spot for them...
 
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they look lovely, won't take them long to get used to the grass!
 
Aww their gorgeous.
Sounds like they are having the best care going and are being very spoilt
x
 
Day two in the run and they still dont want to know! Have tried a few other treats to tempt them but they look at me as if I'm mad!

Lavender is getting used to being picked up and had a nice cuddle earlier. Violet is still terrified of people and although we had a quick cuddle she was desperate to get as far away from me as she could.

This photo was taken yesterday after their bath, about the only time they have sat calmly together!

View attachment 1020
 
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Have you got things like shoe boxes which you could sprinkle about a foot apart? Some pigs are simply frightened of open spaces - epecially, if they have never been out of a hutch?

Poor sweet girls! I'm glad that you can cuddle Lavender. It takes time to build up enought trust with a scared piggy; talk to Violet frequently, before you try to handle her again. Make sure she associates you with food and treats, then it will be a bit easier!
 
I thought I'd give this old thread an update. Lavender and Violet are now doing really well and have come so far since I got them. After worrying that both were pregnant it rurned out that Violet was and Lavender wasn't. I came home two weeks ago to find these four little darlings...

pigs 071.webp

They are starting to look like proper little peruvians and are such happy settled babies mostly thanks to their mum who has been great. She has gone from being a frightened and unconfident pig to being a really vocal and forward girl. One of the babies is a sow (the black, cream and white) and the other three are boars who I will need to re-home.
 
Awwww bless them, tiny wee splodges of guineaness. Hope you find fab homes for them.
xx
 
Awwww how sweeeeeeeet. Glad their mum and aunty are doing better, hope they all find nice new homes.
 
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