When To Put Them In The Playpen?

[Pinks66]

I've had me girls just over two weeks now, they're still quite skittish, they come out when we're about but if we go near the cage they will go and hide, i'm not at the stage yet where i can touch them though they have taken food off me and run!
I don't want to rush them and set back the trust, so will it be long before i should get them out in the playpen?

 

[newtoguineas]

I would do it now. Ive had my boys 3 weeks and put them in the playpen after a week. I lure them into a tunnel and put a hand either end then lift them that way. They will probably just sit there or hide to begin with but maybe put some veggie treats in and make sure they have somewhere to hide in there. Playtime for my gps is my favourite time of the day

 

[piggyfan]

As you have had them for two weeks I would give them floor time as they will need exercise. They will hide at first but once they have floor time daily they will get used to it.

 

[Pinks66]

Ohh thank you, i just didn't want to be too eager and rush them, i haven't even stroked them yet!

 

[Cookie&Cream]

I had mine out on the first night (I know a lot of people say not to but they were chasing each other and my first instinct was to get one out, then my boyfriend got the other out) and they seemed fine being held.
You could put their carrier in their cage/hutch and let them walk into it and then put the carrier in the play pen and open the carrier and just let them walk out on their own, this way you won't stress them out by handling them, then you can start to smooth them from inside the play pen (my boys don't like being touched that much in their cage but are fine when they're in the pen!

I recently made my own play pen out of the big cardboard box their cage came in and I just put towels, hay, food and their pigloos and toys in and they love it! I usually put them in it most day
Also I find it a lot better to have them in that when cleaning their cage instead of putting them in the carrier!

 

[Rubys cafe]

I've recently had to separate my boys due to fighting. I have an indoor run but it's on two different levels they can't see each other only hear or smell each other which Is Not ideal .
They have a large outdoor run which is divided which is fine if the weather is ok . It's been chilly at night so bought them in.
Has anyone else had to separate their boys if so how have you done this with an indoor run ?
Picture to follow thanks

 

[Rubys cafe]

Here is the indoor run , top part izzy is in and middle part Marble is in at the moment. The floor section is storage thinking this could be converted as a lower living area as it's bigger than the top section but how do they see each other? They seem calmer indoors? Usually in the outdoor run as larger buts it's chilly today.
Also I have fleece and hay as indoor bedding any suggestions what else I could use? I'm thinking if they are cleaned out everyday it won't smell ?
How about floor time if they need to be separated?
Any suggestions ?many thanks

 

[Hemmy]

Ruby's Cafe: Wow that's a lovely indoor set up. What lucky piggies!

Do you have any of the clear plastic left? Perhaps you could separate one level of the indoor cage in to two using some of it (if you are worried about them not be able to see each other).

I don't have any experience with boars or separation, so I'm not sure if it is a necessity that they are able to see each other. If they seem calm with just being able to hear/smell each other, then your idea of converting the lower level is a good one.

With regards to bedding, a lot of members use towels underneath fleece. You could also use something like megazorb..?

Xo

 

[Rubys cafe]

Ok thanks will look into megazob.The boys started to smell a bit in the house so was wondering what to use . The boys are in the outdoor run it has a lid for it . I put covers over it when chilly or wet but they love the outdoor space