We brought the girls home yesterday

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Lacemakingmum

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And they are terrified.

We put them in the bottom on the hutch in the carrier as the rescue suggested and they didn't leave it. So I panicked last night that they would get cold if they didn't realise there was a bedroom bit with a large pile of hay in it for them to make a nest in so physically put them in the top and shut the ramp down to the bottom half so they couldn't fall not realising it was there. They have been out in the night as they ate some veggies and nuggets. I've changed the veggies this morning for fresh and will leave them to it most of the day. I'm a bit worried though about the lack of space.

I am wondering though at what point I should try and handle them and put them in the run on the grass. I'm working from home tomorrow and the children are at school so the garden will be calm....

I've read the bonding guides but since I haven't seen them this morning no chance to practice most of what is in them.

No photos yet....
 
Once they've settled in you could put them in the run and sit in there with them. Sprinkle some veggies around you, keep doing this every day until they start coming close to you, then offer food out of your hand. :)
 
Aw looking forwards to pics

Mine were so nervous one of them still is. I talked to them quite a bit saying the same sentence usually. Have fun xx
 
I know this sounds annoying as the temptation is huge to want to pet the, but you’d be best leaving them without handling them for three days or so, just let them get used to their new home and hutch. We have all been there believe me, with our first two guinea pigs we had to set up a video camera to see if they were coming out LOL

A read of this settling in guide https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/how-do-i-settle-shy-new-guinea-pigs.36239/and Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs

They will settle I promise, it is early days yet
 
Thanks for replying. I know they are coming out at night as there is evidence and food is going😀 and yesterday one ate a lettuce leaf in the open part of the hutch when I was about 2 ft away. She was in a tube but could see I was there and kept eating rather than freezing.
So far their favourite things are dill and lettuce! Closely followed by cucumber and red pepper isn't that favoured. I think that their bedroom needs a bit of a clean though and more hay so will have to disturb them this evening. DS1 sat in the chair near their hutch reading last night too and said one came out to see him briefly too but then he moved so she went away. DH is at home tomorrow so if they both come out into the open with us around I might suggest that he tries to get them into the carrier and onto the lawn run for a while.
 
Don’t worry too much about them, they will settle. As long as they are eating, pooping and drinking they are fine. Once they have settled they will start venturing out and exploring their new home x
 
It really is early days, and apart from necessary cleaning and feeding, the best thing you can do right now is leave them alone.
Sit near the cage, chat to them when you come into the room, etc. but I would hold off for a few more days before trying to catch them and move them to a new (and scary) place like the lawn.
 
Lacemakingmum said:
And they are terrified.

We put them in the bottom on the hutch in the carrier as the rescue suggested and they didn't leave it. So I panicked last night that they would get cold if they didn't realise there was a bedroom bit with a large pile of hay in it for them to make a nest in so physically put them in the top and shut the ramp down to the bottom half so they couldn't fall not realising it was there. They have been out in the night as they ate some veggies and nuggets. I've changed the veggies this morning for fresh and will leave them to it most of the day. I'm a bit worried though about the lack of space.

I am wondering though at what point I should try and handle them and put them in the run on the grass. I'm working from home tomorrow and the children are at school so the garden will be calm....

I've read the bonding guides but since I haven't seen them this morning no chance to practice most of what is in them.

No photos yet....
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

Give your piggies time to settle in!

@sport_billy has given you our links that deal with the immediate arrival and that are full of useful advice, tips that have stood the test of time and information that will allow you to understand better where your piggies come from; you will find it ver helpful.

You will then find these links helpful to make friends with your piggies once they have got their bearing in their new home by communicating in ways that make totally sense to them without expecting your piggies to figure out humans first.
Tell them that you are not a hunting predator but a large guinea pig that wants to be friends. Invite them into your group and give them that social belonging and security that they really need. Tell them you love them. That all goes a very long way to reassure them. 'Piggy whispering' may sound whacky, but it is surprisingly effective because you tackle problems from the social framework that your piggies are thinking in; they live in strictly hierarchical groups and identify as a member of a group before they identify as an individual.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely

Understanding guinea pig behaviour and social interaction: Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

All the links in your thread are part of our New Owners guide collection, which specifically addresses all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about. We have also added some guides that help you to a hopefully smooth start and allow you to avoid some preventable problems in the longer term.
You can access this collection via this link here: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
 
Where there is a poo, there has been a pig. I always got all of my pigs very tame by going about my daily house routine as normal. And then when they start to come out and be a bit more brave, i then give laptime everynight. They dont even run from the hoover anymore. But one of my pigs hates any loud music.
 
They are currently in an outdoor hutch and both stayed out in the open part eating their veggies whilst we were getting the washing in (couple of metres away) and then I had a piggy wash in front of the hutch and Pip copied me :yahoo: The small things are making me happy.

I also tried to take a photo but it just looks dark so you will have to wait a bit longer!
 
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