New Boar still really nervous

[claire8234]

Hi

We have had our Boar Billy for about four and a half months and he is still really shy and nervous. We got him for company for our other Boar Daisy after his brother died. He will now come out of his bed for veggies/food etc but it takes forever (Daisy on the other hand appears instantly). He hates being picked up so trying to get him out the hutch is never easy and he has to be coaxed into a tube, pouch etc.

He isn't too bad being held but he really isn't keen and sits on your lap and shivers. The other day I sat stroking him and he turned around and nipped me it was the lightest touch possible so barely even a nip but it was a bit of a shock.

I don't know what to do, I thought after this length of time he would be friendlier. The guinea pigs are the childrens pets (obviously I am the one who looks after and takes responsibility for them) and it makes them sad that they have a guinea pig that they can't hold etc.

I have a little fleece pouch that they like to snuggle in in their hutch so I don't know if its worth just getting him out and letting him sit inside it on my lap. Would getting him out a few times a day for 10 mins at a time be better than getting him out once for an hour?

Any suggestions appreciated

Claire

 

[piggyfan]

Four months is not long for a nervous piggy. It took my Amina one year before she would be happy to be held. I would just carry on holding him everyday. Try and offer him a nice piece of fruit or vegetable while on your lap so he knows you are a friend. It may be an idea to have him and Daisy on your lap together to give him more confidence.

 

[Rodentopia]

I agree some piggies can take a long while to settle. Its down to them being prey animals in the wild, slightest movement can make some scared. I also agree having Daisy out at the same time would build his confidence no end as if he sees her settled he will. I know that from experience my older piggy took a baby under his wing and hes now his mirror image Parsley is also your best friend taming a piggy no piggy can resist parsley

 

[claire8234]

Thanks

Daisy is actually a boy but I made the mistake of letting my children name him I had them both out on the sofa earlier and Daisy did what he always does and lies down, stretched out, eyes closed for a nose rub (great lazy thing) x>> I got Billy out in a fleece cosy where he hid for a while. After 10mins he eventually got brave enough to come out and investigate the cucumber bribe and then went and sat with Daisy. Every so often he would dart back in the pouch but after a while he seemed ok with me stroking him. I think the cosy/pouch helped as he could hide.

They both love Basil but unfortunately it hasn't grown well this year owing to the rubbish weather so I will definitely give parsley a go - it has a strong smell so it will lure him out!

I think because Daisy is such a laid back piggy (except when he sees the hairbrush ) and so nosy that you forget that its normal for piggies to be shy and nervous for a while. I don't think Billy was handled very much either whereas Daisy was handled regularly from birth

 

[Wiebke]

Coriander/Cilantro is the best herb to give if you can get it; it is not quite as high in calcium as the other herbs.

You are on the right path; let Daisy show him the way and be patient. some piggies can take ages to bring round, but round they will come eventually! He will never be as confident as Daisy, but piggies that have not have much in the way of human contact or have been handled only very roughly can take quite some time.

 

[scooterpig]

I had a piggy once who was always really nervous being held. I got hold of a cuddle cup (fleecey bed thing) and tried him in that - he loved it! He was always perfectly happy after that being held in the cuddle cup, but was never happy being held directly. I guess it made him feel more secure.

 

[Connie]

I have to say my piggies were very nervous when i got them, despite everyone saying be patient and me doing everything suggested at a year and a half later they still wouldnt go near the side of the cage or me. It was a battle to catch them. When I moved away to uni I raised their cage up on a table and now they come to the edge of the cage every morning and wheek their little heads off at me..... I'm not leering over them like a predator anymore, and they like me alot more for it.