Biting Worries

[JulieG]

I have 3 female gps, about 12 weeks old now, have had them 2 weeks. We are letting them settle and not handling them too much just yet. They seem very happy in their cage and will take food from our fingers. When I have handled them one of them has nipped my finger twice and another one gave me a sharp bite tonight. Should I stop handling them and let them settle more? Are they telling me to leave them alone?! Worried I won't be able to trust them when the children want to handle them (hasn't happened yet as the children aren't confident enough).

 

[klee]

They are only still very young. A gentle but firm No when they bite may deter them slightly. Have you been handling food before or during handling? The only time I have been bitten hard is when my hands obviously smelt of food. They may be trying to tell you they want to go back in their cage to toilet, all of mine will fidget, lick and nibble when they need to go. Sometimes they will nibble just to tell you they want to go back.
I wouldn't stop handling them, maybe reduce the time they are handled for if you notice them getting fidgety, some pigs just aren't cuddle monsters, Tia will sit on my shoulders and climb all over the back of the chair but when she has had enough she just fidgets and nibbles.

 

[JulieG]

I had just refilled their hay tube so that might account for the bite. It did feel more like a 'get off me' bite though! They are still very young. Might stick to picking them up when they're in their fleece bags for a bit to regain confidence.