Purring and kicking when petted?

[shmoo44]

I just adopted three guinea pigs, and I can't figure out the youngest one's behavior when I pet her. She is not as shy as the others, and has been popcorning in her cage. When I set her on me and pet her, when I pet near her back and rear, she sometimes purrs, and kicks her leg out, kicking my hand. She is usually lying down and looking pretty relaxed before she does it, and lying down as she is doing it. She also talks constantly whenever she is out of her cage, but if I pet her head, she shoves it upward, so I don't think she likes that. She will talk, shove her head, purr, and kick all within seconds, and then popcorn when I put her back in her cage, so I have no idea if she hates it or loves it. Any ideas? Thanks!

[HannibalLecter]

A shorter, instant purr is her telling you to stop doing whatever you are doing, many pigs also dislikes having their bottoms touched which is why she's kicking. Talking is usually good however, as well as cooing.

As it's a younger pig, it's normal for them to not be interested in cuddles as much as older ones. Instead of only petting, you could try feeding her some of her daily veggies in your lap.

[shmoo44]

Thanks for the response, I was leaning towards thinking she was unhappy, but I tried it again yesterday on a flat surface, as well as in her cage, and she is not actually kicking--she is flopping over on her side when I pet her. It's about a 5 second repeated purr noise, so is that an unhappy noise, and does she feel threatened so she is going on her back, or does she enjoy it and feel relaxed?

[bpatters]

If she's not trying to get away, she probably likes it.

[Shelley2007]

I have one that purr's for a long time when you pet her rear, another who chews & purr's a long time when you pet her rear, and another who goes into "licking mode" when you pet his rear. Maybe mine are just weird?