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Post by bazookagoof on Oct 13, 2021 23:49:50 GMT
Just to clear things up if there's confusion, Rowan Atkinson & Hugh Grant were never officially part of Dr. Who, they were part of a comedy special:
For those familiar with the original Master from the 1970's era, Jonathan Pryce does a spectacular job of imitating the late, great Roger Delgado.
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Post by Bean on Oct 14, 2021 7:41:13 GMT
To they get scared if they think there going to fall then as the ramps have no sides. ? Veg on the ramp is a good idea to bait them up and help encourage them to use it. I once lovingly built a sort of nesting box on legs for my pigs at the time, but it was rejected because of the ramp. If it's too steep or they can't get a good enough grip on it or if the sides feel too open, even generally adventurous pigs can just decide against it. Maybe if it carries on being a problem, you can make a cover for the ramp from some sort of stiff fabric that feels more secure than wood, or if you can somehow break the stretch up, so it's two shallower ramps or has a level platform halfway down? It's hard when doing something like that might take up floor space though. I can't help on breeds - despite many years of guinea pigs, I only know a few. Many over here tend to be Heinz 57 varieties though - a mix of different breeds! You can get long haired breeds with crests. I think anyone who knew their stuff could identify them now - aside from maybe growing slightly longer hair, they don't change much. Watch out for the shop bought chew toys as many of them contain stuff that isn't good for guinea pigs to ingest and can cause digestive problems/ blockages. This is a great page on Cavy Spirit for free or cheap stuff you can give your guinea pigs to amuse them and satisfy their need to chew, a pastime will probably last their whole lives! As their teeth are constantly growing throughout their lives (they don't change them, they just grow bigger as they grow), they need to constantly grind them down. The main way this is done is by eating hay - the constant chewing and grinding will wear the back teeth down, and also the front teeth as they rub up against each other when they chew. But they do enjoy a good nibble of things too! Cardboard is a firm favourite with my lot.
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Post by rustypete on Oct 14, 2021 8:10:11 GMT
To they get scared if they think there going to fall then as the ramps have no sides. ? Veg on the ramp is a good idea to bait them up and help encourage them to use it. I once lovingly built a sort of nesting box on legs for my pigs at the time, but it was rejected because of the ramp. If it's too steep or they can't get a good enough grip on it or if the sides feel too open, even generally adventurous pigs can just decide against it. Maybe if it carries on being a problem, you can make a cover for the ramp from some sort of stiff fabric that feels more secure than wood, or if you can somehow break the stretch up, so it's two shallower ramps or has a level platform halfway down? It's hard when doing something like that might take up floor space though. I can't help on breeds - despite many years of guinea pigs, I only know a few. Many over here tend to be Heinz 57 varieties though - a mix of different breeds! You can get long haired breeds with crests. I think anyone who knew their stuff could identify them now - aside from maybe growing slightly longer hair, they don't change much. Watch out for the shop bought chew toys as many of them contain stuff that isn't good for guinea pigs to ingest and can cause digestive problems/ blockages. This is a great page on Cavy Spirit for free or cheap stuff you can give your guinea pigs to amuse them and satisfy their need to chew, a pastime will probably last their whole lives! As their teeth are constantly growing throughout their lives (they don't change them, they just grow bigger as they grow), they need to constantly grind them down. The main way this is done is by eating hay - the constant chewing and grinding will wear the back teeth down, and also the front teeth as they rub up against each other when they chew. But they do enjoy a good nibble of things too! Cardboard is a firm favourite with my lot. Thanks for the tips, I’ve recently notice that Pete is slighty more active then Rusty as when I let them out (as I lock them in at night to prevent foxes getting them) Pete runs around doing little jumps in the air till going back to eat his pellets., I assume this is normal behaviour? (I was asking as my previous Guinea pigs never did it) Rusty is still very active but never does little jumps like Pete etc....
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Post by rustypete on Oct 14, 2021 8:29:43 GMT
Just to clear things up if there's confusion, Rowan Atkinson & Hugh Grant were never officially part of Dr. Who, they were part of a comedy special: For those familiar with the original Master from the 1970's era, Jonathan Pryce does a spectacular job of imitating the late, great Roger Delgado. Ah ok that’s why I don’t recognise that actors name.
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Post by 3piggles on Oct 14, 2021 17:56:16 GMT
Rusty looks like a Self guinea pig. Pete does look like a crested, from that picture. Does Rusty have any other color on him than the butterscotch? If not, he is a Self.
I don't think guinea pig depth perception is very good. They seem to like to have something to keep them on the ramp, and not have the ramp open. They also like to be able to get purchase with feet/nails. If your ramp has something for them to get purchase, that helps a lot. If not, a piece of carpet/carpet tile they can get their nails into is good. I've tried toweling, and it moves too much, at least it did for mine.
If you have boards you could attach to the sides high enough for them to feel safe(just 3-4 inches), that might do the same thing. I've used C&C cage grids, and those worked for keeping them on the ramp. Just need something to give them purchase with their hands/feet/nails.
I haven't found putting veggies on the ramp helped, though it might help if you have already put sides on the ramp. You can even tack cardboard boxes on the ramp, and cut out light holes on the side and tops. They will pee on the cardboard, so it will need to be replaced. It would let you know if they will use the ramp, with the changes made.
A lot of getting things right for guinea pigs is trial and error. No two pigs are exactly the same. If there's a good lead pig who decides the ramp is good, the others will follow. If no one is willing to take that first step, you need to try things until you find what makes at least one of them feel confident enough to use the ramp.
If you have wooden houses with windows, doors, you could try attaching one near the entrance from the hutch, and see if that is enough.
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Post by rustypete on Oct 14, 2021 20:20:55 GMT
Rusty looks like a Self guinea pig. Pete does look like a crested, from that picture. Does Rusty have any other color on him than the butterscotch? If not, he is a Self. I don't think guinea pig depth perception is very good. They seem to like to have something to keep them on the ramp, and not have the ramp open. They also like to be able to get purchase with feet/nails. If your ramp has something for them to get purchase, that helps a lot. If not, a piece of carpet/carpet tile they can get their nails into is good. I've tried toweling, and it moves too much, at least it did for mine. If you have boards you could attach to the sides high enough for them to feel safe(just 3-4 inches), that might do the same thing. I've used C&C cage grids, and those worked for keeping them on the ramp. Just need something to give them purchase with their hands/feet/nails. I haven't found putting veggies on the ramp helped, though it might help if you have already put sides on the ramp. You can even tack cardboard boxes on the ramp, and cut out light holes on the side and tops. They will pee on the cardboard, so it will need to be replaced. It would let you know if they will use the ramp, with the changes made. A lot of getting things right for guinea pigs is trial and error. No two pigs are exactly the same. If there's a good lead pig who decides the ramp is good, the others will follow. If no one is willing to take that first step, you need to try things until you find what makes at least one of them feel confident enough to use the ramp. If you have wooden houses with windows, doors, you could try attaching one near the entrance from the hutch, and see if that is enough. Thanks. Rusty does have a small white dot (Not on his head or bum)and not obvious on the picture) but apart from that he’s the same colour. When you say purchase do you mean grip? If so as there young I think the grips might be too large for there paws. They live in hutch would it be able to attach things to that kind of ramp?
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Post by 3piggles on Oct 15, 2021 20:02:38 GMT
Yes, I mean grip. They don't want to feel as if they're sliding going down the ramp, and slipping going up the ramp. Did the ramp come with the hutch, and is the opening to the hutch as wide as the ramp? If so, making the ramp any more narrow, while the opening is still just as wide, is dangerous. If you used the plastic tubes, they wouldn't cover the whole opening, only about 4". I would suggest either getting some type of wood and adding slats to the sides so the pigs stay on the ramp, but light comes through, or using something like the C&C cage grids - C&C GRIDS The grids are just metal squares with connectors.
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Post by rustypete on Oct 15, 2021 23:21:53 GMT
Yes, I mean grip. They don't want to feel as if they're sliding going down the ramp, and slipping going up the ramp. Did the ramp come with the hutch, and is the opening to the hutch as wide as the ramp? If so, making the ramp any more narrow, while the opening is still just as wide, is dangerous. If you used the plastic tubes, they wouldn't cover the whole opening, only about 4". I would suggest either getting some type of wood and adding slats to the sides so the pigs stay on the ramp, but light comes through, or using something like the C&C cage grids - C&C GRIDS The grids are just metal squares with connectors. Thanks and yeah the ramp came with the hutch. I think the ramp is the same width as the opening. What’s the best type of wood to use if I did choose the wood option? As I know not all wood is safe.
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Post by 3piggles on Oct 16, 2021 19:23:11 GMT
I googled wooden guinea pig houses, and checked the description on several of them. Most said 'solid wood,' but others said fir. By solid wood, I think they mean not to use anything that multiple pieces pressed together such as plywood, pressboard, etc. You would also not want anything on the wood like a finish, or in the wood such as the solution used to make outdoor wood last. Just plain old solid wood.
My only issue might be that I wouldn't want the wood to splinter, as if the pigs chew it, I don't want a splinter lodged in their mouth or throat. Also, once you make the sides, you can use mineral or vegetable oil to seal them, if you think you need to.
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Post by rustypete on Oct 17, 2021 13:12:11 GMT
I googled wooden guinea pig houses, and checked the description on several of them. Most said 'solid wood,' but others said fir. By solid wood, I think they mean not to use anything that multiple pieces pressed together such as plywood, pressboard, etc. You would also not want anything on the wood like a finish, or in the wood such as the solution used to make outdoor wood last. Just plain old solid wood. My only issue might be that I wouldn't want the wood to splinter, as if the pigs chew it, I don't want a splinter lodged in their mouth or throat. Also, once you make the sides, you can use mineral or vegetable oil to seal them, if you think you need to. Thanks I haven’t done anything with the ramp yet They’ve started to explore the ramp a bit on there own so Mabye it’ll just take time. I’ve also started to tame them and I know this takes time. They like Romaine lettuce & kale the most. I was saying if the would eat a bit of lettuce from hand feeding and Pete did first and then Rusty joined in they ate it till my neighbours dog barked Here’s them being curious. Apologize for the mess. I filled there hay up but they made a mess it
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Post by 3piggles on Oct 17, 2021 17:51:56 GMT
Aw <3 Then the dog barks, and they book it back under cover They are so cute
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Post by rustypete on Oct 18, 2021 7:10:09 GMT
Aw <3 Then the dog barks, and they book it back under cover They are so cute Thanks and yeah. The other day one of my my neighbours cat (I forgot They had a Cat) was literally sitting down watching them around the time I fed veg the other day . When I fed them veg that cat ran away. The other day I saw it and now it just walks past it not caring about the hutch must of worked out she or he can’t get Into it luckily.
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Post by Bean on Oct 18, 2021 7:30:55 GMT
They're gorgeous and it looks like they're having a great time! To me a mess of hay means they have it the way they want it, not how we do!
If they're not using the ramp are you just putting them down and back up every day? I only ask as with the weather getting colder, they definitely need to be able to get somewhere off the cold ground (as in lifted up on legs or similar) that's draughtproof. I can't see if there's anything like that, although they certainly have a great selection of toys and hideys! Hopefully they will start to use the ramp soon, whether it's as it is or modified.
It's great that they've been hand feeding too, it's lovely when you can see they trust you!
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Post by Bean on Oct 18, 2021 7:34:14 GMT
Cat) was literally sitting down watching them around the time I fed veg the other day . When I fed them veg that cat ran away. The other day I saw it and now it just walks past it not caring about the hutch must of worked out she or he can’t get Into it luckily. We have a couple of neighbourhood cats who will sometimes sit and watch them for a bit. But it's the magpies that are persistent and try to get to them, sticking their beaks through the wire - they try to pull their fur. They haven't ever done any damage as the mesh is too small for them.
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Post by 3piggles on Oct 18, 2021 18:53:05 GMT
We had dogs and cats with the guinea pigs. The dog wasn't interested, though Zippy would always go to the dog and nose bonk him, to say hello. The dog acknowledged Zippy, and went back to sleep. Dallas would bully the cat out of the living room during floor time, so the cat was never a threat. We had a member who had A LOT of pigs, and his cat used to sleep in the cage with the pigs. The cage was open, and on the dining room table, so easily accessible to the cat
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Post by rustypete on Oct 18, 2021 18:53:26 GMT
Cat) was literally sitting down watching them around the time I fed veg the other day . When I fed them veg that cat ran away. The other day I saw it and now it just walks past it not caring about the hutch must of worked out she or he can’t get Into it luckily. We have a couple of neighbourhood cats who will sometimes sit and watch them for a bit. But it's the magpies that are persistent and try to get to them, sticking their beaks through the wire - they try to pull their fur. They haven't ever done any damage as the mesh is too small for them. Thanks, I do have bird feeders but i havent filled them since i got the guinea pigs. As I don’t know if it’s good to have wild birds near them.
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Post by 3piggles on Oct 18, 2021 19:07:30 GMT
I've had the girls out in a run in the backyard, near the bird feeders. The birds, squirrels and chipmunks all stopped to check out the new animals in the neighborhood, but didn't do anything. The girls seemed as interested in them as they were in the girls. The hutch is covered, so no birds or animals are getting in where the pigs are, and that's fine. If I take the girls out to graze, I blast off the grass with the garden hose, just in case any poops or anything got on the grass. I cover the run, so nothing else gets in while the girls are grazing. I just noticed the post about Rowan Atkins. So he and Hugh Grant was wannabes, eh? Probably quite funny
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Post by bazookagoof on Oct 18, 2021 23:03:01 GMT
I just noticed the post about Rowan Atkins. So he and Hugh Grant was wannabes, eh? Probably quite funny He's also performed in live shows with the cast of Monty Python and he fits in with them perfectly.
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Post by 3piggles on Oct 19, 2021 18:23:13 GMT
He was in Black Adder, too.
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Post by rustypete on Oct 19, 2021 18:24:58 GMT
I've had the girls out in a run in the backyard, near the bird feeders. The birds, squirrels and chipmunks all stopped to check out the new animals in the neighborhood, but didn't do anything. The girls seemed as interested in them as they were in the girls. The hutch is covered, so no birds or animals are getting in where the pigs are, and that's fine. If I take the girls out to graze, I blast off the grass with the garden hose, just in case any poops or anything got on the grass. I cover the run, so nothing else gets in while the girls are grazing. I just noticed the post about Rowan Atkins. So he and Hugh Grant was wannabes, eh? Probably quite funny Thanks
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