My Guinea's won't go up/downstairs!

[fairy_wings]

Ive just brought my Guinea's a new hutch/run for the summer, with an upstairs and a downstairs run.

Ive been keeping them inside until its warmer, but have put up their new home and put them in it. Ive left them alone for a week for them to get used to it, Ive put cucumber all the ramp to try and entice them up/down and tried putting hay, veg etc downstairs to encourage them to go down, but its been about 10 days now and neither has gone up or down. I'm a bit worried they hate their new cage and will never go up or down now! Any tips/suggestions? As I'm at a bit of loss of what to do next!

Thanks!xx

 

[aalur]

I'm sure they'll figure it out eventually, have you tried pitting a trail of veg up the ramp?
They probably have been up there, just at night when you don't see them |) |) xx

 

[flips]

What's the ramp like? It might be a bit steep or just need sides on it so they feel more secure.

 

[nutmeg]

Can they get a good foothold on the ramp? Try putting, carpet/fleece/roofing felt on so they can grip properly. Some ramps just have strips of wood across every so often but the 'inbetween' bits are still quite skiddy. Also how steep is it? I have seen a pig fall down the hole and break its neck. (This was on a ramp where there was nothing for the piggies feet to grip) Although I think this is a very rare occurance, it may be worth making it less steep if possible, or adding sides. They all usually get the hang of them though eventually. xx

 

[Wiebke]

You could sew a tunnel that runs the length of the ramp and attach it with velcro so they have grip AND feel safe.

 

[Sodapops]

I had the very same problem and came to this forum for advice.

The advice i was given was to either put some carpet on the ramp so they have something to grip on to with their claws when going up/down or to secure a tunnel on to the length of the ramp.

I tried the latter option and bought a nylon tunnel and sewed some fleece to the inside of it (for grip) and then secured it to the ramp. Within a day or two my eldest boar was using it all the time - however my newest addition (an 8wk old boar) wouldn't use it even after 2 weeks.

I then built a C&C cage and use ramps with carpet attached and both my boys use all the ramps happily now.

I would try the attaching of carpet idea (that others have also suggested) and if that fails maybe try the tunnel idea - either way i'm sure they will eventually see past the scary-ness and use the ramp without any problems.

Good luck

 

[bekkie]

hi, i am kind of in the same situation as you, though my girls are slowly learning! (also an outdoor hutch)
here's what has helped:
1) its easier for them to go down it seems, than to go up. so i hve them on the top level and then slowly guide Ruby to the top, then give her gentle nudge so she's just at the top her front legs about to go down. at first she was a bit clueless but with another gentle nudge she went trotting down carefully. i did the same with Chloe.
2)Putting a little bit of hay round the exit of the ramp. they can look at it and hay always excites piggies so mine were quite happy to go down for a munch
3)the general make sure there's grip, it's safe, not too steep etc.

Especially with number one i think it helps so that they get an idea of what to use the ramp for. it's like when you're learning to ride a bike and you can't quite balance so your dad holds it while you pedal around and then he eventually lets you free and you're biking on your own. it's like that. so i think guiding them down really does help get it in their little piggie memories! I'm sure if you persist, they will learn!