Cleaning How to clean the cage when the guineas are not yet tame?

Nika Lee said:

Will they just need to deal with being picked up and taken out so I can clean their cage?

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In short answer, yes.

Remember that they are prey animals, so they most likely will never fully be "tame". Most don't like being picked up and think of you as trying to eat them. Sometimes they will tolerate it by staying still but most of the time, you will need to either have something for them to jump into and pick them up in that or have them gently cornered in their cage and lift them out. I try to make it as swift and non-neurotic causing as possible, but give them cuddles right after with veggies so they associate the two.

Btw, welcome

Thank you! That is really helpful

You're very welcome. All piggies have different personalities, so that's why I say "most". Just keep that in mind, some may never like you picking them up and may squeal and be diva's about it, others may come right up to you for it. It really depends on the pig, but in general they generally do not enjoy being hunted by the house eagle.

Another thing that can work, I have a couple little carriers that I use for things like vet visits, and If I pull out their hidey houses and put the carriers in, they tend to just run on in and I can pull them out as easy as anything
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I leave my girls in the cage when I clean it, no matter what cage I have them in. At home they have a C & C cage, on the Semi it' a large Rabbit/Guiena pig cage. Either way I like to keep them in the cage while cleaning it. This way they get use to me and my hands, the little dust pan and broom I clean with. Now the girls love it when I clean their cage, they pop corn, and play games with me while I'm cleaning. They follow my hand, dust pan and broom around. They are not afraid at all. Sure at first they were, like most piggies, they run for the fartherest cornor or hide place. But then the start to realize I'm not there to chase them, next thing you know, they are following my hand, playing games with me. I also like to change their cage toys every day. This also helps them to get use to me. I also feed them, hand feed them treats daily. Now they come to the sides of the cage and whenever I put my hand in the cage, they are right there beside it.

You can sweep fleece while they're in the cage.
But for complete bedding change you can either sho them into a box or a crate and put them in their floor pin.

Picking them up daily will help them become tame.