guinea pigs

[seeker]

How long do you think before our new guinea pigs are tame enough to hold?

ooh, i dont think you should handle them for a couple of days at least.

I know, we're not. We're talking to them and offering them treats every now and again but leaving them alone most of the time. We're intending to try stroking a little maybe tomorrow evening if they seem settled. Just wondered if anyone had any idea how long it usually takes for them to get used to people.

Why aren´t they used to people?

How old are they? Normally, guinea pigs should be handled gently from birth. If they have not been handled much, a day or two won't make any difference, but I think that you should handle them asap. Start with a couple of minutes at a time, then work your way gently upwards. Good luck!

Ooooh Seeker, you got pigs!

Excellent choice. They're the best. Agree with Summersoon, start handling for short periods right away and keep at it, every day, then they get really tame.

And don't they smell gorgeous?

Still going with hamster here, btw.

What happened to degus then?

Ds decided that degus were too fast and skittery for him - he wants some when he's 12, he says! So we went for guinea pigs. They are 8 weeks old, and have been handled, but they are still quite timid - so we're working on them!

i'd just get them out for a snuggle. wrap them in some old towel to make them feel secure and have a treat at hand

Only 8 weeks? I bet they're really cute!
I think that if you handle them gently for a few minutes several times a day, they will be much less nervous about 3-5 days from now.

even when they're tame you're still going to have to chase them round the cage and pin them down in a corner to get them out for a cuddle - they almost always run away

Much less "skittery" today, even. Ds had a little stroke this morning while I held them and one of them took a piece of carrot from his hand.

I've only met adult guineas before - I didn't realize quite how fast they are when they are little!

Whatever you do seeker, don't give them avocados...... We learnt this lesson about a month ago

Oh dear - what happened? The lady we bought them from said "Think Sunday Lunch vegetables" So far they've had carrot and broccoli.

Baby rabbit, baby guinea pig both had only been with us for a couple of weeks, we moved house to a garden with two avo trees, hundreds of avos lying around so dd fed them with a couple. Next day dead piggie, dead bunny

How sad - I suppose it was the high fat content?

Envy you the avocado tree though!

at avocados. how sad

remember - no potatoes as well! mind you mine nibbled a potato they found in the kitchen and seem fine but apparently is v poisonous. mine have also eaten rhubarb leaves (thought the plant was securely fenced off) and also had no ill effects so they must be super guinea pigs