Double hutch

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Sazbell

Junior Guinea Pig
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Afternoon
I'm a newbie. Got two beautiful piggys. Ruby and Sapphire. They are 9 weeks old on Monday.
I brought a double hutch when I got them I put them on bottom not thinking and they haven't ventured upstairs. I've got them out of hutch first time to clean hutch as left them few days to settle would u put them back in bottom or put them upstairs where they should sleep?
Please help
 
Id put them at the bottom but only as I would think it likely be less scary for them to venture upwards for the first time on the ramp than downwards for the first time on it. Ensure there is hay and water on each level in case they get up there and find they are too scared to come back down.
Check the ramp isn’t too steep and ideally has sides on it. Guinea pigs are often scared of heights and as ground roaming creatures, climbing isn’t natural to them.
 
I just couldn't get to hold them again today. Very nervous so I been talking softly to them and putting my hands in to smell.
Don't want leave it too long but they hiding all the time. Had them since Monday.
Any advice?
 
It’s quite normal for them to be like this.
When you say ‘couldn’t get hold of them’, were you just trying to pick them up out the cage with your bare hands? Most piggies will not like that, it cuts close to their prey instinct, so herding them into a carrier (snuggle sack etc) can help them feel more secure

How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely
 
I got them to go in a box then transfer to a run but they went straight to a hide put wouldn't come out. So I not picked the black one up yet at all.
 
Sazbell said:
I got them to go in a box then transfer to a run but they went straight to a hide put wouldn't come out. So I not picked the black one up yet at all.
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It’s also normal for them them to hide when they go into a run. They can feel very insecure and a lot of them will hide when they first go into run. You can try to cover the roof of the run with a blanket as it can help them feel more secure.
Youve not had them long so they just need some more time to settle. It will often take weeks, not days, for them to feel more confident.
 
When I had my new double hutch for my two girls. Admittedly they were 4, not babies, and their previous hutch was also a double storey, I alternated which floor I put them on after I'd handled them. So they could have an explore of both floors. Then one time I found a girl on the opposite floor to where I'd put her the previous day! They had food, hay, water, a bed on each floor. And, over time they started using the ramp. The ramp had sides and small steps, and I'd pick grass and leave a trail of it on the ramp.

Yours are settling as young pigs and also probably feeling swamped by so much space. It's scary for them!

Just give them time, be patient and they will surprise you!
 
Piggies&buns said:
It’s also normal for them them to hide when they go into a run. They can feel very insecure and a lot of them will hide when they first go into run. You can try to cover the roof of the run with a blanket as it can help them feel more secure.
Youve not had them long so they just need some more time to settle. It will often take weeks, not days, for them to feel more confident.
Click to expand...
Thank you just v new at this x
 
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