Hello again everyone. Some more advice, please. My ex-bats are settling down into their new home but are, understandably, very nervous and, when I go anywhere near them, three out of the four all scuttle into a corner and try to hide behind each other. Now I don't want to traumatise them any further but, on the other hand, I am wondering whether it is better to try to pick them up and give them a cuddle so that they get the message that I am not going to hurt them and so they get used to me handling them (and so I get used to handling them). I've tried tempting them with food but they're not confident enough to come near me. As usual, I'm warbling on but the bottom line is - should I wait for them to come to me, in time, or should I get in there and be kind but firm?
Also - last question, I promise! - when I open their little house in the mornings, one shoots out straight away, two faff about for a while and then emerge but the other one always needs me to go in and fish her out. Should I be getting her out (I thought she needed to know that she can come out and have some breakfast and get her into a routine) or should I leave her to her own devices?
Many thanks for all your help... A x