Picking up

[Piglet]

Ok. So I got my two pigs and one of them is so easy to pick up. Furlong will just sit there and not make a fuss. Ascot won't even let me touch him. Even as I put a hand towards him he runs into his hidey hole. Should I keep on trying to pick him up or should I just leave it for a while?

 

[loves2travel]

Ok. So I got my two pigs and one of them is so easy to pick up. Furlong will just sit there and not make a fuss. Ascot won't even let me touch him. Even as I put a hand towards him he runs into his hidey hole. Should I keep on trying to pick him up or should I just leave it for a while?

I've ehard of many people who even after years of having their piggy, they try to get away when being picked up. It may not be something that needs time, and you'll just have to learn how to catch them quick enough.

 

[mncavylover]

My chut always runs away, even though he purrs nonstop during lap-time. If they are really new, say only a couple of months, then you should probably let it go. However, if not and they like their lap-time, just grab them. Chut runs like a little devil, but he adores being petted! I think it's part of their instincts, run away from the big hand, and partly a dominance thing. Is that pig the underdog? Mine is, so that may play a role in this. Just see how the pwtting goes. =)

 

[kennethlhm]

I got 3 sows. 2 of them I can touch them easily. The other 1 will run away when I approach her.

 

[Piglet]

Yes, they are very new. Only had them for a week. The rescue said that Ascot was the more lively one. Last night I wrapped him in a towel and placed him in a Cuddle Cup. I rubbed his ears and under his chin and I could see that his eyes were begining to close. He started falling asleep and he really did calm down. If I could do this everyday I think he will start to get used to me.

Ok, another thing. While I was petting him I felt some hard bits on his body (about 3 of them). I lifted up the fur and I saw red scabs that were slightly raised. They were very small, but very hard. They hair isn't growing from there. Any idea what this is?

 

[TinaFabulous]

I got my piggy Furby when she was a very little girl, she's my only pig right now and I've had her for over a year but she still dosnt sit still to be picked up. Don't take it personally, mncavylovers right it's sort of like an reaction to be scared of a hand. After awhile I realized I just needed to pick her up, and that became easier as I got better at it. She still loves to sit on your lap, and purrs constantly whenever you put spongebob on. It's really cute, she loves all the hi-piched voices and characters on the show, Mrs. Puff is her favorite as she purs whenever she's on and one time she got to watch her puff up, it was hillarous. She got so excited watching it once she had a little accident. Other favorite things eating carrots, and getting lots of attenction. So don't be too worried some pigs just get more scared than others.

I had a pig Snickerdoodle who I could easily catch, we later found out that she was really sick ever sense we got her. We took her to the vet quickly and they couldnt do much. She died about a week later, it was so sad.

 

[roosterboy]

easy pick up technique

For me what works everytime is to open up my hand wide and flat about six inches in front of them. They look at my hand, and I scoop them up with my other hand by the chest and shoulders. My first hand goes under the belly as soon as possible. With my heavier pigs, I use both hands from the start of the lift. Before they even know what's happening, they are already being cuddled, and all is good.

 

[roosterboy]

flighty pigs

I find the more things to hide in, the more flighty the pigs and the more territorial they are as well. I may put stuff in for them to play with, but the hidey things come back out after the initial fun is over.

 

[CavyCatastrophe]

Rooster how many pigs do you have. If you have two you need to have at least three hidey holes at all times. Im sure you probably know this and do have 3 but it never hurts to ask.

 

[GuineasGalore]

maybe a parasite from the scabe symptoms...take 'em to the vet

 

[Piglet]

I did go to the rescue. Thats where I got them from. It turns out that Ascot has ticks and not mites. However, we did give both of them Ivermectin to be on the safe side.

 

[roosterboy]

no hidey holes

Rooster how many pigs do you have. If you have two you need to have at least three hidey holes at all times. Im sure you probably know this and do have 3 but it never hurts to ask.

We have five girls in one large cage and they get along fine. Without the structures, they are more inclined to hang out together or just spread out evenly in the cage, like cows in a pasture.

Add an igloo or box and tubes and they will all play and check it out. But soon after, they will stuff themselves in there and in the spaces around it. And they will otherwise scatter like rats at the slightest noise, movement or approach from outside the cage. It's as if the cage is their whole world or focus, and everything else ouside is alien and invasive.

Without structures in the cage, they watch what is outside of the cage and are much less surprised and startled by the outside world. I know they are not afraid, because they can see everything, and when they hear doors open and close, they all sing for treats. When you walk by them, they approach on two legs and sniff the air, and sing. So I prefer the larger but hideless cages. There is still room for their personal space, and the animals are definitely more sociable among themselves and toward the humans. We're all living together, we may as well get used to each other.

I realized this when I used to raise cichlids, very territorial and aggressive and highly parental fish. A simpler tank design let you see the fish and they were mostly peaceful. A tank with all kinds of caves, nooks and tunnels, and you would find lots of hiding, fighting, mating, and dead fish all the time. And I used to live in SF. You might live next to someone for years and not ever say more than, "Hi" to your neighbor while living in the same apartment building.

But back to the thread, yeah, if the animal is definitely not wanting to be social, something is wrong, like mites or injury or sickness. Yikes.

Maybe we can start another thread if anyone wants to discuss this further.

 

[CavyCatastrophe]

It sounds like you have this figured out and there arent any problems. That is good. I wasnt trying to attack you in anyway just asking a question. And if you thought i was i am truly sorry.

 

[roosterboy]

We're all here to help each other out.

I wasnt trying to attack you in anyway just asking a question. And if you thought i was i am truly sorry.

Not at all. I appreciate the advice, for sure. I was worried we had taken over the thread, but since the problem of mites was found already, I guess it doesn't matter to the thread after all.

I just do what I think works for the pigs in each situation, but in no way do I think I'm an expert or anything like that. In fact I'm here trying to learn.

Perhaps I never needed houses, because my cages weren't too big before, and the pigs could orient themselves somewhat to the walls of the cages. I always felt their cage was their house.

But now that I have even larger cages, ala Cavy Cages, the piggies do seem to get spooked by too much open space, I think. There is a certain amount of comfort I think they do get from structures, so there is a nice amount of things to put in the cages. Once a cage becomes cluttered or hole like, the pigs get flighty. Finding the right amount of stuff to put is the tricky part. If I see them get flighty or territorial, I take stuff out and move things around. I don't like boxes, because the pigs will pack in there like sardines. I think alot of pet gadgets like houses are more gimmicks to make money.

But they are called "cavies." I was thinking about that also. Is that because they like caves, or what? I think in the wild they inhabit burrows made by other animals. That's interesting, as they don't make their own. Perhaps they need or want some shelter, but they are not digging animals. They don't have feet like moles, and badgers, and they have good eyesight and hearing. That leads me to believe that they are a surface animal. A ground animal. They seem to be able to see all around and above themselves. So as long as they have shelter or cover close by, a certain amount of overall structure, I think they are alright with that.

 

[CavyCatastrophe]

I dont like too many hidey holes cause then i cant catch them. Have a look at my cage in my profile. I like having a wooden one for them to chew on so i dont have to worry about there teeth as much.

 

[roosterboy]

That's nice. Do they use the hammock alot? A buddy has a ferret and it nests in a hammock all the time. I think cavies like the nesting feel. With nice thick bedding or grass, they seem very content to wallow into it, wherever they are. They seem to like orienting to structures like walls and the other piggies, but I think the feel of the ground they are in is the most important to them. I usually hold my piggies on a folded up plush towel. This really seems to comfort them. They will stay on the towel even if I fall asleep watching TV.

 

[Piglet]

I have a hammock in my cage, but they never used it. They prefer to sit and rest underneath it, so I suppose it does have its use...

 

[CavyCatastrophe]

It took them about a week to start using the hammock. I have mine set low to the ground so they dont feel like they are suspened up in the air. Plus its easier for them to get in. When its cold out side they love it when i put that batting stuff in and they will cuddle in it. But it all depends on the pigs.

 

[Piglet]

Hmm... Maybe thats why? I might try to set it a bit lower. Its so funny. Ascot is nearly the same colour as my bedding and he loves sitting under the hammock. Everytime I walk into the room I always think he's lost or jumped out of the cage

 

[CavyCatastrophe]

Thats funny