Will this ever change ?

[Mel105]

Hey I have had my three boys for around 5 months now (Oreo i have only had for about 4) Whenever i go over to their cage they freak out and run to hide ! but when I eventually catch one of them for cuddles they relax on my lap and enjoy snuggling with me! I was just curious as to whether they will always run and hide when i approach their cage ? or whether eventually they will learn i am approaching to give food, treats and cuddles xD ?

 

[sport_billy]

Yes, that's normal piggie behaviour, piggies are prey animals in wild so are naturally wary and don't liKe being picked up. You will gain there trust but it often takes a while, keep perservering. Our girls at very tame and will take food from us but still hate being caught.

Food is the way to gain piggies trust, I always recommend feeding them a treat, something like a sprig if parsley and trying to tempt them to take it from you, they'll soon associate you with good things, it's early days yet.

 

[Mel105]

thank you (: I just wasn't sure if i was doing something wrong xD I usually give them some cucumber (their favourite food) when i have them out on my lap (: I will try using some other stuff and maybe try handing it to them when they are in their cage (:

 

[sport_billy]

You'll get there. Feeding them on lap is a good idea, they'll associate lap-time with good stuff. Are they the piggies in your avatar? They are very cute by the way x)

 

[Rodentopia]

All piggies are different some learn quicker then others, they will get better, food is your best friend as by rewarding them when they are out it creates a positive reaction and they will soon be coming out to take food off you. I use Parsley as a treat for when they are out as they go mad for it and by giving it them when they are out it associates cuddle time with the good stuff

 

[SallyG]

My girls are the same, run and hide the second we walk in the room but will sit and snuggle for hours on our knees once we've caught them. We've only had them 2 months though so I'm hoping they won't be so terrified of us forever!

 

[Pepperdog]

it does take time for them to get used to you, some more than others but just keep at it and lap time treats sounds like a great way to get into their good books.

I have a different relationship with all my pigs, the boys are very cuddly by nature and I can now most days stroke lupin in the pen, tyrian however I have to catch to get close to. My herd are my wild pigs that just want to be fed and left alone, silver is the most fearful of all of them although he is also the newest member to the group so a little behind our bonding than the girls, minty is my second skittish pig and never likes being touched and wont even take food from me. Fudge is the worst to catch and hold as she hates it but will take food from me and we do talk to each other. Crystal is a whole different pig entirely, she had to be handled more than any of the others as her sensitive skin led to lots of treatments and baths, still a nightmare to catch, she will let me touch her nose in the pen, talks to me and takes food from me and does enjoy a cuddle.

Fudge, crystal, lupin and tyrian dont run and hide when I come in, infact they will most often be found at the front of the pens shouting for veg especially the girls, minty has moments when she spooks but once the food is in the pen will be stuffing her face rather than worrying about me, silver is still often hiding but he is getting better

 

[primrose]

I agree with everyone else - piggies all have very different personalities and that, to a great degree, determines whether they are super shy or not. My Primrose and Oscar (who are inseperable) aren't particulrly skittish and don't dash off when I go into the shed - they will happily walk round me and poke their noses into whatever I'm doing, but neither of them like being picked up and they're not cuddlers at all. Violet dashes off, but will come to take food. Roxy, who's been handled the most as she's a very hairy Sheltie, is still extremely skittish and won't even come to take food from me, but, once caught, sits happily to have her hair brushed and trimmed. The only piggy I've ever had who is just happy to be picked up is Floss, who isn't remotely skittish - however, I am beginning to suspect that she is a bit of a special needs piggy as she is so unusual...
You're doing all the right things, just be patient and give them time.