Guinea pig using ramps ..... Or not !

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Mamaguineapig

Mamaguineapig

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I have bought and assembled a new summer run for my guinea pigs with an upstairs and downstairs. Upstairs has an outdoor landing and a large sheltered "bedroom" area . Downstairs is a large area that sits directly on the grass so that they can graze on the grass. The problem is that the guineas (who are 5 ) when put in the grazing area will eat grass for about 1 minute then go up the ramp and never come down ! I don't know if they can't come down because they are unable or just lazy and prefer the home comforts upstairs .

Can anyone advise me as to how I can encourage them to go down again . They have a ramp in their actual hutch which isn't quite as steep that they run up and down .:)
Thanks
 
Ermmm.... some of mine were initially slow to use their ramp ..... I made sure it wasnt slippy, put sides on it and scattered food down it to help 'encourage' them.....it worked a treat.
Could be they are just taking their time - mine all took to it at different rates...
Best of luck
x
 
That is a good idea to put sides on the ramps . I will try that ! I tried food but they were too lazy to even go for that ! :(|)
 
I attached a thick strip of towel and put a slightly flattened stick hidey at the end to alter the steepness of my cage ramp.
 
Thanks ... Another good idea ! I am going to be busy ! I think the piggies will have to apply to the council for planning permission rolleyes
 
I fastened some vet bed around our ramps for my boys who wouldn't use the ramp. They're both up and down it like greased lightning now! Our other 4 didn't need the vet bed but we did put a side on the ramp. Buddy on the other hand has never to my knowledge gone down the ramp...he always stays in the top hutch and the girls seem to take i in turns to visit him :))
Think sometimes it depends on the pig!
 
my guinea pigs took MONTHS literally to start using the ramp in their new cage, at first i out a long sock over it, stuffed with hay with afew holes in to tempt them up and down

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now i've got them a tunnel ramp from cosy cavies http://www.cosycavies.co.uk/products/tunnels/ it's fab and they love climbing in it x

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We lifted ours by standing fiddlesticks underneath the ramp (I shaped them into a ramp shape rather thean the traditional bridge shape) so it made an L shaped ramp (if you understand what I mean!) I then tie wrapped it to the bottom of the original ramp and the hutch wire to stop it moving. Jerry took to it straight away, Brian took a couple of weeks. I'll try and get a photo...
 
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Jerry demonstrating how to use the ramp...

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Brian showing that he's learnt to get downstairs (eventually!) The ramp is covered in vet bed which can be removed for washing. Fiddlesticks are tied to ramp and side of hutch to stop them moving. It also provides a nice little hidey hole!
 
Maybe they're just not that bothered about the grass and prefer the security of the bedroom!

Mine are the same, to be honest. They spend about 80% of their time out in the run snoozing in their hidey houses, only popping out for grass for a few minutes at a time.

Tracey
 
These are all fantastic ideas ! I will try them out until I get one to work . Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer . I really appreciate it .... And so will the lazy guineas !
 
I have a ramped hutch for three of my girls. One shot down the ramp and back up again no problem and the baby girl when I put her in the bottom the confident girl nudged her all the way up and she follows her down now. But Florence doesn't seem interested. Today I popped her half way down and she went on down and then this evening I placed food (apple) half way up the ramp after rubbing it at the bottom so some juice got on it. Her nose went up and she kept putting her front legs on but it wasn't until she saw Amy at the top sniffing for the apple half way down that she shot up and grabbed it quickly and carried on up so I will use food again. I may wrap some vetbed on it thats a really good idea. Good luck.
 
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