Help, worried about her laying position!

[ynattirb]

Hi everyone!

I have two female guinea pigs. They’re just over a year old and I’ve had them most their lives!
Tonight I noticed that they were laying funny. Usually the lay flat and they look almost like a pancake or in a “C” shape all curled up. Tonight though, they both had at least one leg stretched out behind them.
Like most of you, I started googling, but I couldn’t find much. A few places said it just means their relaxed. Another place said that they could be injured. I’m just nervous since this was after I took them out for play time and clipped a few nails on one of them.

It was kinda warm in my apartment when they did this. And now I have the AC running. They both seem to be walking around fine/are now eating hay again.

Any insight on what you think would be appreciated. I’m not sure if I’m just overly worried or if something is truly wrong.

I attached pics below.

 

[Betsy]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

I love it when piggies lay like this it just means they are super relaxed. We call them chookins on the forum. Some of us love chookins and can't get enough of them (cos we are mad piggie people!) Nothing wrong with it at all and perfectly normal and nothing to worry about!

@sport_billy! CHOOOOOOOOOKIN ALERT!

Here are mine displaying chookins for you!

Betsy


Christian


Dennis


Meg


Velvet

 

[Guineautopia]

Hello and to the forum.
Those are some lovely relaxed piggies you have there

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone!

I have two female guinea pigs. They’re just over a year old and I’ve had them most their lives!
Tonight I noticed that they were laying funny. Usually the lay flat and they look almost like a pancake or in a “C” shape all curled up. Tonight though, they both had at least one leg stretched out behind them.
Like most of you, I started googling, but I couldn’t find much. A few places said it just means their relaxed. Another place said that they could be injured. I’m just nervous since this was after I took them out for play time and clipped a few nails on one of them.

It was kinda warm in my apartment when they did this. And now I have the AC running. They both seem to be walking around fine/are now eating hay again.

Any insight on what you think would be appreciated. I’m not sure if I’m just overly worried or if something is truly wrong.

I attached pics below.

Hi and welcome!

Take a deep breath! It is perfectly normal and actually a very welcome sign.

We call those sticky-outy legs 'chicken legs' or 'chooken legs' because they are a sign that a piggy is very relaxed. They won't do that if they are still nervous about their surroundings and need to be able to jump up and run off at any moment. Yours feel very safe in their new home.
There are two basic sleeping positions; on the belly or on the side. Some piggies have a clear preference, others sleep in a range of them.

It is always a bit of a nervous time - like with a first baby - when you have to learn what is normal and what is not, and don't want to get anything wrong. That is what we are here for and one of the reasons why we work hard to keep this a place where you can ask all those little and large questions you have along the way.

Please make sure that you keep your piggies cool as you can in this weather. Hot Weather Management And Heat Strokes

 

[Flutterby]

Welcome to the forum! Your piggies seem to be very relaxed and comfortable! Chookens are just so great to see!

 

[Merab]

Those are happy and relaxed piggies.
Welcome to the forum and I hope we see more pics of your piggies.
This is a great place for questions and support and fun

 

[ynattirb]

Thank you all so much!

 

[Betsy]

That's OK it's what we are here for all those little questions you don't want to ask anyone else. No question is a silly question - if you don't know you need to find out! We all began our piggy journey knowing nothing!