Coaxing Guinea Pig In to Under hutch run?

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Sodapops

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Hi there,
I'm new to the forums - but really need some advice.

Two weeks ago we gave a home to a 10wk old guinea pig called Homer (my son's idea - he loves Simpsons). Originally he was housed in a ferplast 80 cage (recommended by the pet shop) - after much research on the internet we knew this cage wasn't nearly big enough for him so we purchased a huge metal run (4ft x 4ft) and placed him in it with all his favourite toys each day for around 3 hours.

Obviously even though he was popcorning like a trooper in his run - i wasn't happy about the size of his cage so i decided to buy him a brand new 4ft hutch with underneath run - this way he could still use the additional run from time to time - but on a daily basis he'd be able to have a run around without waiting around for us to set everything up.

He's loving his new hutch complete with fleece bedding - but it's been 2 days since swapping cages and he still hasn't ventured down below to his run.

If we place him in the run he will (after a quick munch on his hay) run back upstairs. Ive tried putting some hay and food at the top of the ramp to coax him down but he won't take that leap (looks absolutely scared) - is there anything else i can do to get him to go down by himself?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Joanne
 
When mine were a bit nervous at going down the ramps I attached a tube, one of the long fabric ones, to the ramp, this let them feel more secure in going up and down it. They are fine now and will use the ramp with no tube. :)
 
Welcome to the forum.

Lots of guineas don't 'do' ramps as they are not natural climbers - although a lot of hutches have them! As above, a tunnel would help, or a side on the ramp, or carpet nailed on to it for grip, or making it less steep by raising the bottom slightly on a brick or similar.

Piggies really need company of their own kind, would it be possible to find him a boar friend?

Sophie
x
 
Hi, thanks for the very quick replies :)

The tunnel and carpet idea's are very good - will go looking for a fabric tunnel.. How did you attach it to the ramp?

Piggies really need company of their own kind, would it be possible to find him a boar friend?
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I did consider this, but after much reading it seems boars cannot be paired together easily unless they are from the same litter or have been introduced shortly after birth - is this correct?

I was told that i can home two males together but it would be advised to get one or both neutered as boars can be quite dominent? Personally i'm very open to the idea of homing another piggy - but wouldn't want one or both to get hurt should they not get along - if you've any advice i'd be interested to hear it.

The general advice however is that 2 sows are brilliant, while 2 boars is a big no-no - correct me if ive read wrong (getting excited at the possibility of a new piggy friend for my Homer)

Thanks for any advice - it's greatly appreciated
 
I do hope you have the hutch and run in a warm shed/garage or your home, it is far to cold outside, but like the others have said perhaps a tunnel will do. If you place his food downstair he will eventually get the hang of the food being down and he would have to come down to get it.

As for the litter pairing and age, no that is not correct, theres is a piggy out there for every piggy, its a case of finding the right one, perhaps take your guinea to a rescue and let him chose his own friend
 
Hi,
Thanks for the reply

Of course my piggy Homer is inside - never even dreamed of putting him out in the cold - besides one good piece of advice i was given was that it's best to house guinea pigs indoors.

My homer is living in luxury - a full wooden hutch right in our living room - wouldn't have it any other way :)
 
I'm truely relieved to hear that, ist shocking how many calls my rescue and my friends rescue has recieved about animals dying in the freezing cold over that very snowy period. I drove past sombody yesterday who had 14 guinea pigs outside. I had to stop and ask them to bring them inside.

You seem to have done your research but alot of people tend to follow the masses, when it comes to advice. Have you read that your guinea should be wormed every 3 months, most rescues will tell you its important, where as vets will disagree.
 
Yes piggies can be introduced! Several times I have introduced baby boars into 1 or 2 year old boars already, and as long as you don't push them, they can do fine!

Or you could try finding a spayed female from a rescue, but I can't say I have seen them often.
 
Unfortunately people are still told, even by pet shops, that two boars cannot be housed together, this is simply not true.lots of people have pairs of boars, and here at the rescue we pair up single adult and baby boars all the time. Occasionally boars do fall out but as you have no girls around it is less likely. 2 baby boars together should be fine, or take him to a rescue and let him pick a friend and they'll help you. Boars are delightful, and watching a pair together is great, like a mini soap opera in your living room!

Also neutering does not affect boars behaviour unlike in dogs etc. And rarely if ever improves their relationship. You could get him neutered when old enough and find him a wife but like any op there are risks so it's worth trying him with a boar first

sophie
x
 
Very sad that people are still being told that it's not possible to house 2 boars together. This leads to lots of poor boys leading a solitary life quite unnecessarily. A pair of boars usually bong very well and as Sophie says provide hours of entertainment.

Really hope you can find Homer a friend :)

Teresa x
 
Teresa J said:
Very sad that people are still being told that it's not possible to house 2 boars together. This leads to lots of poor boys leading a solitary life quite unnecessarily. A pair of boars usually bong very well and as Sophie says provide hours of entertainment.

Really hope you can find Homer a friend :)

Teresa x
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Perhaps his friend will be called Bart? :)
 
Sodapops said:
Hi, thanks for the very quick replies :)

The tunnel and carpet idea's are very good - will go looking for a fabric tunnel.. How did you attach it to the ramp?
Click to expand...

I attached my with clothes pegs, you could nail it but make sure there are not sharp bits sticking out.

Glad you are considering a friend for him :)
 
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