Encouraging the pigs to use the run

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iamsnape

iamsnape

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The pigs run is probably about 5ft by 4 ft, it was originally a lot smaller (triangular shaped, about a foot wide and a few foot long with a little corner hidey section but my boyfriend's step dad made it bigger for them not long after I bought it), which I thought would be great as they'd have lots of space to play. But...they won't come out of the corner section! I've tried hideys in the more open part to encourage them to go out, veggies out there, nothing. It's a real shame because I'd like them to be able to enjoy playing on the grass when the weather is nice (they eat grass anyway).

Any way I can help ease their fright and venture out of the corner section? To be honest as they're in door pigs, I know it will be a little bit scary for them, Noah actually bolted out the run door last time and I only just grabbed him. But they've been out on the grass one at a time with me and been fine, and I sit with them in the garden some times so they can adjust to the sounds they might hear. But the second they're in the run, they're very on edge. Running out of ideas!
 
Hi
I have found that covering half, or even all of the run to start with, with a blanket or towel. It helps them to feel safer and they will come out more... This is what I did to start with and it worked wonders! Hope that helped!
 
bubble&squeak4ever said:
Hi
I have found that covering half, or even all of the run to start with, with a blanket or towel. It helps them to feel safer and they will come out more... This is what I did to start with and it worked wonders! Hope that helped!
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Thank-you! It's still nice and sunny so I might do that now. The lawn was mowed in the week, am I okay to put them out on it?
 
iamsnape said:
Thank-you! It's still nice and sunny so I might do that now. The lawn was mowed in the week, am I okay to put them out on it?
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I have put mine out a little while after the lawn was mowed and they've always been fine. Although you need to make sure there are no grass cuttings where they are going to be as grass cuttings can cause bloat.
 
bubble&squeak4ever said:
I have put mine out a little while after the lawn was mowed and they've always been fine. Although you need to make sure there are no grass cuttings where they are going to be as grass cuttings can cause bloat.
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Ah good good, they can go out tomorrow now as the bugs are starting to come out. In the mean time me and Dad have made them a new correx base so they've still been the focus of the last few hours :))
 
Just put them out there, their run is covered up pretty much entirely so it's nice and shadey for them and they won't feel too exposed, they're under my apple tree so should't be too hot (no apples on it yet so there won't be any loud bangs)...good news is they aren't hiding in their usual section. They went out to the main part, did a very cautious lap, and now they've both squashed in to a pigloo together :)) I've put some carrot in different areas to try and prompt them to be adventurous. I'll give them until 4 and see how they're getting on.
 
iamsnape said:
Just put them out there, their run is covered up pretty much entirely so it's nice and shadey for them and they won't feel too exposed, they're under my apple tree so should't be too hot (no apples on it yet so there won't be any loud bangs)...good news is they aren't hiding in their usual section. They went out to the main part, did a very cautious lap, and now they've both squashed in to a pigloo together :)) I've put some carrot in different areas to try and prompt them to be adventurous. I'll give them until 4 and see how they're getting on.
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That's great that they've come out of their usual place! :) I'm sure it will take some time for them to feel completely safe in the run but I'm sure they will be running around popcorning in no time! :))
 
bubble&squeak4ever said:
That's great that they've come out of their usual place! :) I'm sure it will take some time for them to feel completely safe in the run but I'm sure they will be running around popcorning in no time! :))
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Fingers crossed, when they do I'll take hundreds of pigtures :) I need to get a run that opens upwards and doesn't have a little door at the front, because it took me forever to get them out of the run and back in doors :))
 
I find that mine are much better when the sunshade cover is put on top of the run. They move around much better. When it's not on they tend to keep together in one corner.
 
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