Help, Please! Trying to figure out if this is normal or not?

[AngelaCurran]

Hello,
I just recently got piggies - two Abyssinians that I believe are brothers (they are both 2 and stick to each other like glue mostly), and one that I was told was a white-capped albino, but I'm not sure... he is 3. (They all came together, and are close, but Boots - the all white - seems more outgoing than the others.)

Anyway, what I am wondering is, the two Abyssinian guineas, in particular, seem scared of us? This is only the third day that they've been here, and they've been in a new and larger cage as of yesterday (slightly bigger than 14 sq feet)... I'm trying to not be impatient, because I realize that they're going through a lot of changes - new home, new family, new cage, etc., but then I got worried that it may not be normal, for them to be so scared?

The white doesn't seem scared - every time he's out of the hidey hut, and I walk by, he makes cute little noises and stands up on his back legs to smell me, and lets me pet him and pick him up... But the two Abyssinians (Rhino and Buster) bolt right back into their hidey hut every time they hear a noise, or they see anyone coming? Sometimes when they do this, they make funny noises, like they're talking, or else a chirp-y, squeaky, rumble-y noise, which is sometimes fast, sometimes low.
Those two I've only tried to pet a few times, because I'm worried of scaring them more, and haven't tried to pick them up for the same reason. The only time they don't seem scared of me is night-time, or else when I'm giving them treats.
(And of course, my kids may freak them out a bit, as well, cause they're quite young and can be loud...)

But before I ramble (even more, sorry ), I was just wondering if this is normal for guineas in a new home and environment, or is it some sort of warning that either something's wrong or they're unhappy?

Any help would be great, thanks!

[guineapigs2468]

I think your guinea pigs are fine, it takes some guinea pigs months to become tame. It is normal for them to be scared, your white guinea pig is a lucky one being brave from the start I guess. Guine pigs, have an instinct to run and they will run, some guinea pigs will never truly be tame to the point where they let you pick them up straight away, but with lots of attention and love I'm sure your guinea pigs will be fine.

[spy9doc]

What is happening is absolutely normal. People forget that cavies are as individual as we are in just about every way.

I can't tell by your post if you have two Abys and another cavy, or just the two Abys? Abys can be a little high-strung and it may take them a while to become accustomed to the large cage and the friendly chaos of your household.

Abys tend to be smart, busy, mischievous, curious, playful.......and opinionated. We call it Aby-tude. I had a pair of Abys 30 years ago and have been in love with them ever since. I now have one aby and one Texel, and their personalities are very different. But then again, who knows how much of it is breed and how much is just the individual cavy?

Just as an FYI, my Chester is probably the most mellow fellow you will ever find in an Aby. He loves lap time in the evenings and will happily sit with us for an hour or two. But two things probably will never change: he is hyper-vigilant....one can almost never catch him with his eyes closed, and he will still run from us when we go to pick him up in the cage. That's just Chester being Chester.

Give them time.......handle them gently, speak to them calmly, and watch their personalities develop. It may take them a while to come around, but when they do, it will be worth every bit of effort you put into it.

[tabikat55]

Give them time. I'lll bet the skidish 2 will learn from the brave one that everythings alright. Food is a good peace maker. Enter the room quietly and aproch the cage slowly talking in a soft voice with a couple pieces of food. Try to get them to eat out of your hand. But be paitent.

[Dee_E]

Lots of attention and being consistent in how you handle them. Do the same things each time, they will learn to associate your actions with safety and food.

[AngelaCurran]

I can't tell by your post if you have two Abys and another cavy, or just the two Abys? Abys can be a little high-strung and it may take them a while to become accustomed to the large cage and the friendly chaos of your household.

- Yes, there are two Abys, and another guinea Boots, Buster, and Rhino
Thanks for the reply, it's relief to know.. I kind of thought it was normal, but wanted to make sure, just in case... I'm new to all of this

[AngelaCurran]

Lots of attention and being consistent in how you handle them. Do the same things each time, they will learn to associate your actions with safety and food.

Thanks I've been trying, but half the time my careful approaches get way-laid by the kids, . They love carrots the most so far - but the two Abys take it and duck away, but the pure white will eat it from my hand, he's definitely more "at home" than the others, so far. I just can't wait until they seem happy and comfortable

[guineapigs2468]

Well yes it is perfectly normal, they should settle down soon.

[AngelaCurran]

Thanks a bunch

[Dee_E]

They will, it just takes time, it took me about 2 months before I could gain Poppy's complete trust. Have I missed them? Do you have pics??

[AngelaCurran]

They will, it just takes time, it took me about 2 months before I could gain Poppy's complete trust. Have I missed them? Do you have pics??

I do They're not the best quality, and the Abys are kinda shy, but here:

This is Boots


This is Buster


And this is Rhino


(Sorry if the pics went in funny, it's the first time I've added them to a thread Aren't they cute? )

[guineapigs2468]

Awww they're adorable ! I had a guinea pig like yours boots one once his name was Frodo

[Dee_E]

They are so adorable!! Thanks!

[AngelaCurran]

Aww, I like that name!! My 3 and a half year old daughter named him (Boots). My 5 year old named Buster and Rhino, and the 2 year old calls them Babies.

[AngelaCurran]

Thanks Dee_E and guineapigs2468 !

[EverGreenly]

Rhino is ADORABLE! I just wanna take him home and cuddle him.

[guineapigs2468]

Yours are cute and I love the names, mine are called rose, Maisy, cookie, biscuit, butterscotch and coco , I had Frodo when I was younger r.i.p boy.

[AngelaCurran]

Thanks I love those names, too - so adorable!!

And thanks to EverGreenly, as well. I love Rhino's coloring, it's awesome

[spy9doc]

Be careful about posting pics of your Abys! Everyone knows how much I love them. Fortunately, you're somewhere in the big vast country of Canada and I can't just drop by for a bit of pig-naping. They really are adorable!

[AngelaCurran]

Be careful about posting pics of your Abys! Everyone knows how much I love them. Fortunately, you're somewhere in the big vast country of Canada and I can't just drop by for a bit of pig-naping. They really are adorable!

Lol Thanks! And, I will bear that in mind :P