Are my piggies happy?

[CW2211]

Hi everyone, if you haven’t read any of my recent posts, I have just brought home 2 rescue girls on Sunday and so far I do think they have settled alright as they are eating, coming out of wherever they are hiding, and are allowing me to hand feed them (sometimes handle out of the cage but I don’t want to be stressing them out so early on whilst they’re still getting used to the new place).
However I have been wondering if they are happy and can fully express their personalities in the set up I have for them. I will post pictures below but they are in a Ferplast 120 single tier cage, I have taken out the plastic hideaway that comes with it and instead gave them a box that I fill with hay. I do have a little space right outside the cage for them to run about when they’re out but they don’t seem to care about that they would much rather be in the cage. I worry that the cage itself isn’t enough for them to be truly happy and was wondering if anyone could suggest how I could get them to come out more.
I also have a delivery coming tomorrow with a corner hidey house, Trixie grass bed and a large wicker stick bridge to give them more to do in the cage, though I will have to figure out what will stay in the cage and what will be outside of it for if they do ever decide to come out! Thanks in advance for any help. Here are the pics of their set up:

And the space I have just beside it:

I also have more space next to that but thought this would be a good start while they get used to me and their new room. Any suggestions to help utilise the space so it is more fun for them and also if anyone could let me know a way to get them to come out the cage and how I can help (I have got a small box with a towel over it in the bottom right corner to try and encourage them to climb out but no luck so far) sorry for the long post but I just really want them to be the happiest they can be with the cage I have as I would love to make them a C&C but have no space or extra money for that right now. Thank you

 

[Swissgreys]

Your set up looks fine.
One thing that will definitely encourage them to come out more is more places to hide.
They are unlikely to move from the perceived safety of their cage into an open area, particularly when they are still new.
I would fill the area outside of their cage with boxes and tunnels, and I am sure they will be out exploring in no time.

 

[CW2211]

Thank you for reading all that and replying. As I said I am waiting for some things for their cage being delivered so once they’re here I can use some of the things in the cage already for the outside area, and I’ll also pick some more stuff up this week when I go to get their grooming things

 

[DMS260820]

I also have two pigs in a 120 cage. I migjt have to buy a bigger one soon, my boar is outgrowing it. Its not a bad size, but theres no room to be creative with cage layouts

 

[CW2211]

I also have two pigs in a 120 cage. I migjt have to buy a bigger one soon, my boar is outgrowing it. Its not a bad size, but theres no room to be creative with cage layouts

Exactly, I know size wise it’s okay for my girls as the ladies from the rescue were happy with it but like you say it’s kind of boring for them all they have is that single bit of floor to run around and most of it is filled with hideys/food/toys. Hopefully once they’re settled fully and more confident they will start to explore the outside area which they can have lots more fun in

 

[Merab]

Your piggies are very lucky to be with such a caring owner. They sound as if they are going to be thoroughly pampered.
I have a wooden bendy stick bridge that mine use to get in and out of their cage. It makes it easier for them.
It’s also a nice place to sit or play under.

 

[DMS260820]

This is my layout, boring but they always run about, and get free roam of my hallway alot. I have two of these cages, i might put them together, the ends lift . I have a boar and a sow pairupView attachment 109765

 

[Nassala]

Don't worry, they'll be exploring before you know it. It took my younger girls four or five days before they even went up their ramp to the upper cage, and three and a bit weeks in their new home and nervous little Flump still bolts into hiding when I shift on the couch. One thing that is helping a lot is some cut parsley and coriander. If you provide treats outside the cage they may associate the area with good things and be more keen to spend time there. Either way, as they become more used to you they'll be more confident, and its great they're already taking food from your hand
As for space, I would say fleece tunnels are great, they are a hidey, a toy and a cushion in one and if the piggies want to run they can run right over them.

 

[DMS260820]

I scatter feed pellets now, to save room from two bowls, and i dont use that hay rack anymore, they are pointless on the outside of a cage.

 

[CW2211]

Your piggies are very lucky to be with such a caring owner. They sound as if they are going to be thoroughly pampered.
I have a wooden bendy stick bridge that mine use to get in and out of their cage. It makes it easier for them.
It’s also a nice place to sit or play under.

Aw thank you I just want them to be able to play as much as they can and not be stuck in the same area all the time. Yeah I have been told about those a lot so one is on it’s way with the corner house and grass bed for them and I will hopefully find a way for them to use it as a way out of the cage

 

[CW2211]

Don't worry, they'll be exploring before you know it. It took my younger girls four or five days before they even went up their ramp to the upper cage, and three and a bit weeks in their new home and nervous little Flump still bolts into hiding when I shift on the couch. One thing that is helping a lot is some cut parsley and coriander. If you provide treats outside the cage they may associate the area with good things and be more keen to spend time there. Either way, as they become more used to you they'll be more confident, and its great they're already taking food from your hand
As for space, I would say fleece tunnels are great, they are a hidey, a toy and a cushion in one and if the piggies want to run they can run right over them.

Thank you I just want to see them getting used to coming out the cage to play since there’s not much room in there for them to do much. I have been giving them a lovely treat whenever they let me bring them out for a cuddle so hopefully that is helping and I’ve got some fleece beds and things on the way for them too

 

[CW2211]

I scatter feed pellets now, to save room from two bowls, and i dont use that hay rack anymore, they are pointless on the outside of a cage.

I only have the one bowl for now which has the pellets in and I just hand feed them their veg at the minute until I’ve got a nice bowl for those, I was originally not using the hay rack but just tried it last night and they used it but like you say it’s pointless and takes up more space than you’d think so that’s off again and they’re happy with the hay box and new hay bag they were treated with today - I’m pretty sure they were popcorning over it

 

[DMS260820]

I only have the one bowl for now which has the pellets in and I just hand feed them their veg at the minute until I’ve got a nice bowl for those, I was originally not using the hay rack but just tried it last night and they used it but like you say it’s pointless and takes up more space than you’d think so that’s off again and they’re happy with the hay box and new hay bag they were treated with today - I’m pretty sure they were popcorning over it

Ive seen horrible pictures, where people pigs have tried to reach to get hay from the rack, and got the top front tooth hooked over the bars and couldnt get free because the legs are too short and cant grip on the plastic sides of the cage

 

[CW2211]

Ive seen horrible pictures, where people pigs have tried to reach to get hay from the rack, and got the top front tooth hooked over the bars and couldnt get free because the legs are too short and cant grip on the plastic sides of the cage

Ah no that’s horrible! While they had it the hay was pushed down so there was no bars in the way for anything like that to happen thankfully, they could just reach the hay that was poking through. Glad you’ve told me that though so I know not to put it back thank you

 

[DMS260820]

Ah no that’s horrible! While they had it the hay was pushed down so there was no bars in the way for anything like that to happen thankfully, they could just reach the hay that was poking through. Glad you’ve told me that though so I know not to put it back thank you

I think its unlikely, but itd be better if a few bars were cut out, where the hay rack goes. But you dont want to start cutting the cage apart lol. Some cages come like it already

 

[Bill & Ted]

I only have the one bowl for now which has the pellets in and I just hand feed them their veg at the minute until I’ve got a nice bowl for those, I was originally not using the hay rack but just tried it last night and they used it but like you say it’s pointless and takes up more space than you’d think so that’s off again and they’re happy with the hay box and new hay bag they were treated with today - I’m pretty sure they were popcorning over it

I would Ditch the hay rack, they are horrible things. Don’t worry about your cage, my boys have one of those and are very happy. As long as they get plenty of floortime in a run outside or around a room, or in a large playpen then that’s fine. You are a very caring owner and that’s what really counts x

 

[CW2211]

I would Ditch the hay rack, they are horrible things. Don’t worry about your cage, my boys have one of those and are very happy. As long as they get plenty of floortime in a run outside or around a room, or in a large playpen then that’s fine. You are a very caring owner and that’s what really counts x

I took it off yesterday as I was trying to think of how to use the space better, thank you. I’ll be putting in their new things that are coming today and hopefully using one of those they will be able to come out of the cage on their own and have floor time in the area next to their cagex