Still confused...

I'm having a really hard time with my piggies! These are my first pigs and I've had them since mid feb, my husband and I still can't get near them! I've asked advice from everyone and been on every web site there is.... some people say gain their trust, some people say pick them up religiously. if we pick them up every day, they hate us! We stopped forcing them to be held, so they like us more and will take food from me, but I'm wondering if we do it their way, will they ever let us hold them?
Also, we let them run around outside the cage, but then we have to round them up...is catching them to put them away doing more harm then good?
Thanks for any help and advice

My little Butters was having the same problem. He hated being picked up, and Scratch is doing the same thing now. Here are a few things that might influence.

How many treats do you give them? Whenever I give treats I only hand feed them. I don't take them out of the cage, but I hold my hand there with the treat until they take them. Eventually, they'll start to come to your hand.

Try feeding them treats while you hold them. Also hold them to warm them up after giving them a bath. They might come to associate your scent with food or security.

When letting them have floor time, make sure they can't really get away from you. Chasing them down to pick them up can scare them.

Keep them in an area free from loud noise, especially the TV. It can make noises that scare them.

If you can take them outside, bring them to an open field, where the grass is safe for them, and sit near them (make sure they can't get away). They might come to you for shelter (if they get scared) and that will get them to trust you.

When you pick them up, give them a place they can hide from you- like under a blanket or something. If they're in a secure place, they might be more curiois and less scared.

Don't hold them too long until they get to trust you. Play with them a little bit at a time. Our little butters is just getting to trust us, and we're starting to try the same things with little Scratch.

How old are your pigs, and how old were they when they were weaned? If they were too young they might have security issues.

How do you pick up your pigs? My roommate picks them up by reaching both hands forward to grab them around the sides, and they almost all run from her. I put one hand behind them and one in front, so when my front hand comes for them they back into my other hand, and I can pick them up without a problem. They rarely see this movement as threatening, and usually let me pick them up.

Hope it helps.

-Dan III