Help with taming - 2 weeks, still very skittish

[Poppy]

I have 3 rats who were around 4 weeks old when I got them, and who are still very very skittish 2+ weeks later. Any sudden flinch or movement that I make has them running away extremely quickly. They are curious and eager to explore, but I am not comfortable letting them explore my room until I can pick them up (which I can't). I could barely get them into a large plastic bin so that I could clean their cage, since they would run-off or jump away the moment they saw that they were being moved.

They will happily walk onto my hands at night (well 2/3), but if I move my hand to try to scoop them up (or pick them up from below if they're on my lap), they run away. I can tell they're super skittish and nervous (or maybe it's a game? Not sure). They respond eagerly to my voice, but they are still very scared of my hands.

What should I do? Any insights or guidance would be extremely appreciated.

-Su

 

[Rocket99]

Best advice? Spend as much time with them as you can. Don't push the issue but try to get them to trust you, and if all else fails, their curiosity will get them to explore new boxes, which you can then just lift up and place on your bed. Then they completely change (usually) and you can pick them up and handle them. Still not easily, but easier! Then handle them, soothingly speak to them let them hide in your sleeves or hooded sweatshirt, etc. They will come around. It may take awhile.bAnd it may take AWHILE. But before they become old aged, they will come around. Fortunately, they're still young enough to socialize, but you have to keep on top of it right now while they're still young. Once they're adults, they're much much harder to socialize.

 

[Kye]

I got mine to come to me with treats.. I'd put treats in my hand and put my hand on the cage floor so they could see it but not be overwhelmed by it being up higher. It's not the most comfortable but it worked for me.

 

[Rocket99]

I got mine to come to me with treats.. I'd put treats in my hand and put my hand on the cage floor so they could see it but not be overwhelmed by it being up higher. It's not the most comfortable but it worked for me.

Yup, that's good. Many rats are cautious of hands over their heads. And others go crazt when you try to pick them up. So putting out your hand and letting them come to you is excellent tactics. I do the same but offer my forearm. Same principal though. Then they do the back and forth routine a few dozen times before they trust me enough. Lol. That's why the forearm, so I can lean on the cages doorway. Haha