Pigs dont seem to like floor time

[Sian25]

So Effie has always been a really timid pig since the day we rescued her. She has definitely gained some confidence over time but she's still not a confident girl. When she used to have floor time with Milan, she would mainly follow him around, but seemed to enjoy it. Milan passed away and she now has new friend Flo, who we rescued almost 2 months ago. When we get them out for floor time, Flo tends to just stay under a hidey or burrow in the hay tray that we put out with them. Shes not typically a nervous pig, but doesnt seem comfortable yet to really go exploring and having fun. Effie just sticks with flo hiding as she would only ever follow Milan round when he was here.

Should I keep persevering? Will they eventually enjoy floor time? Is there anything I can do to make it more comfortable for them to want to go exploring? Thanks

 

[sport_billy]

Have you got lots of hideouts in there for them to run between?

 

[Sian25]

Flo is currently hiding in the log and Effie just sat next to her. They do occasionally move from place to place, but dont run around as though they are enjoying it

 

[DMS260820]

Sometimes my two pigs will and sometimes just hide all the time on floor time. As long as you are giving them the opportunity, what more can you do. The set up looks fine

 

[Sian25]

Sometimes my two pigs will and sometimes just hide all the time on floor time. As long as you are giving them the opportunity, what more can you do. The set up looks fine

Thank you. I've just been through some previous posts and have sprinkled some veggies around to entice them. I would put more towels down so that they aren't on the cold laminate if they were out exploring but for the time being, theres no point as they're not really moving

 

[Fantasimo]

I put mine in the bathroom on a towel (lots of space, I thought, they’ll love this...nope). So in the end I bought a children’s collapsible playpen (£50 on Amazon) and set that up and they LOVE it. They do laps and popcorns and zoomies. So (and this may sound stupid) but maybe you’re giving them too much space?

 

[Sian25]

I've also just thought too.. I have two dogs. The dogs would be fine with the pigs but obviously for the pigs welfare, they are not allowed by them. The pigs room is baby gated so the dogs dont have access. BUT for floor time I've been putting them in the living room which probably smells doggy to them (the dogs are not in the room with them) so although previous pigs haven't seemed to mind this, maybe Flo is wary, especially with being new. I would give them floor time in their own room where the dogs dont go, but its carpeted so maybe I need to find a solution for that? @Fantasimo maybe a play pen would be that solution. Is it waterproof?

 

[Sian25]

But then again, their cage is pretty big so I'm not sure a play pen would be any bigger. I'll have a look though!

 

[Fantasimo]

I've also just thought too.. I have two dogs. The dogs would be fine with the pigs but obviously for the pigs welfare, they are not allowed by them. The pigs room is baby gated so the dogs dont have access. BUT for floor time I've been putting them in the living room which probably smells doggy to them (the dogs are not in the room with them) so although previous pigs haven't seemed to mind this, maybe Flo is wary, especially with being new. I would give them floor time in their own room where the dogs dont go, but its carpeted so maybe I need to find a solution for that? @Fantasimo maybe a play pen would be that solution. Is it waterproof?

I think it’s waterproof, it has a waterproof type base but it didn’t say that on the details. I just put an old dog towel (dog owner here too!) on the base of it in case but haven’t had any leaks yet.

I know what you mean about the floor size, which is why I went for a children’s playpen instead of a pet one, but mostly my pigs like doing laps around it and just having a change of scenery I think, while still feeling secure and enclosed. I only put a few tunnels and a hay cosy in so they have space to do their craziness. Can’t promise it will work mind, but it did for my boys, so you never know!

 

[Fantasimo]

Let me know if you would like a link (although I’ve just seen an even bigger one with a zipped door in the side too, d’oh )

 

[Sian25]

I've set them up in their own room with lots of puppy pads and towels over to hopefully protect the carpet. I'll see how they go and if no luck, I'll try a play pen. Thank you!

 

[eileen]

Patience is key,piggies need to feel safe. maybe put a towel/fleece over the top of the area,to provide cover.also piggies tend to be more active between dawn and dusk.