New piggies seem so scared.

[tillie]

Hi, I only got my 2 piggies today, they were born at a rescue after their mums and dads were taken in there with another piggies. They are only 9 weeks and 7 weeks old. I put them in their new cage only 10 hours ago and they havent moved. One is at one end of the cage and the other one is at the other end of the cage. I have placed food all around the cage but I feel so awful for them as they must be petrified. How long does it normally take for them to come round and start exploring their cage? I have stroked them and they dont move, the little one did chatter his teeth at me so I have basically left them to it as dont want to stress them out too much. Should I take them out of their hidey holes tomorrow and stroke them for a few mins so they know Im not the baddie? It makes them so sad to see them like this. I know it takes patience but any advice would be good.

 

[tillie]

I just found the New Arrival link which has helped a great deal.

 

[mommyoffive]

What I did to socialize them was that I took out the hidey house for a couple hours so they could not hide. It helped with them getting use to seeing us. Also try holding each one starting off with 5 minutes, then the next day up it to 10 minutes, so on and on. Mine got use to being held after the second day.

If you want them sit on a certain place on you, try this method. What I did with my fat cute monster Lucy (when she was a baby) is I put her on my shoulder. When she went to move, I gently put her back on my shoulder, everytime she went to go some were else I put her back on my shoulder. To this day (1 year later) everytime I hold her so goes back onto my shoulder! Hope that helps!

 

[tillie]

Thanks for the advice mommyoffive but when I took out the pigloo to clean they just huddled together in the corner looking totally petrified. It sounds great about putting them on your should so in time I will try that. Ive stroked them a couple of times so far today and held them for a few mins each. The bigger one just freezes so its easy to pick him up and the other runs away, poor things I do hope they come round, I cant picture them letting just pick them up and be happy about it when I see them like this but Im sure our day will come.

 

[thalestral]

Please don't take their hidey holes away from them - as you noticed with your piggies, it's very scary for them and not at all nice to do.

It takes a long time for piggies to get used to you and their new surroundings, everything is very new and scary at first! Within a few weeks though you'll notice the gradual change as they adapt to their new home. In fact the more hidey houses you have, the more help it is with them settling in.

Give them a few days too before you start handling them a lot - I really wouldn't recommend putting them on your shoulder, I can only imagine how vulnerable that would make them feel Sitting on your lap or in a cosy in your lap is the best way, making them feel safe but able to move around if they want to. I do have a pig who climbs on to my shoulder but I'm happy to know that that is entirely her choice. The rest enjoy sexy legging on my lap.

Just give them lots of time and love and they'll be settled in in no time at all But remember, some piggies just don't like being picked up and petted. Out of my four girls I have two that don't like being petted in the pen, while the other two adore it.

 

[JarBax]

It is very early days for your new guys. They probably are petrified! I'm afraid that taking out their hideys will only make them feel less secure. At the moment, whilst everything is so new to them, it is even more important that they can have somewhere to hide where they feel safe.

I would feel inclined to let them settle in for a few more days, in their own good time, before handling them too much. They will come around - but may always run away when you try to catch them - it is in their nature to flee!

When you do start handling them (I'd keep them in yur lap), you could offer them little treats of veg - as they are still young, parsley should go down a treat. This will let them see that you are good, and that being picked up is a good thing!

Can we see pigtures?

 

[tillie]

No I havent taken any hideys out apart from when I cleaned and I know patience is the key word so I'll try

Heres the pics...need ideas of names please

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g142/sharon1967/ResizeWizard-12-1.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g142/sharon1967/ResizeWizard-1-5.jpg