Agoraphobic, and very quiet!

[beth&daddy]

Hi all, my 2 piggies, Nuzzle and Scratch, have been with me for jsut over a month now. Scratch has really opened up, and is friendly, but Nuzzle still hides away alot. They will both eat out of my hand. I have recently been putting them in their run in the garden but they both just stay in the sheltered end. With abit of pursuation{:| (dandilion leaves etc) Scratch will venture out, but Nuzzle just darts back. They have had plenty of 'run' time in the house so should be used to not being in their hutch.
Neither of them 'wheek' at any time, infact Nuzzle is absolutly quiet!. Scratch will make a squeeking noise when massaged behind his head etc. Is this good?. Depending where you read he's either loving it or in fear!:{. They have both rumbled, which i take as being they are scared?. They are both around 4 1/2 months old. Cheers All

 

[clairelove]

it can take mths for guineas to trust and come out of their shell x

 

[paul1979uk]

They're very insecure little fellas are pigs. Give them time they'll both come round. Be nice to them, spoil them, don't startle them and they'll soon trust you.

 

[fionam78]

I got my two guinea pigs in December. It took over a month until they started wheeking and asking for food. One of them is now very bold and loves getting petted but the other is still very shy and timid and will still dart if you go near him. They are now both nearly 6 months and when you let them out to have floor time they just sit there and won't run. I'm not over concerned because they are still young and they are getting bolder as the months go by. I'm sure they will come round once they realise there is no threat

 

[gizmo01]

we've had gizmo now for 8 months making him 14 months old and he has only just got to the stage were he will volutarily come and see you and follow you around

 

[Wiebke]

Fear of open spaces is perfectly normal - it means very dangerous ground where they are fully exposed to birds of prey (one of their main predators).

You can help by pegging a beach towel over the run (they should alway have some shade on the grass) and by sprinkling cardboard boxes, tunnels and other little hides across the run, so they can explore the run by darting from safe place to safe place before they get confident enough. It will take them a few trips outside to get used to their new space. Give them time!