A bit of reassurance please :)

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raechiibbz

raechiibbz

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Hi there,

I'm new to the site, was going to join anyway but it coincides quite nicely with some "introductions" issues I'm having...

I took on a sow for a friend, about a year old, Cinnamon... she was separated from her boar companion when she was given to me [I don't know why]. Anyway, she seemed lonely so I've bought a companion. After talking with other owners around the net I decided on a beautiful baby sow, jet black, called Chocolate.. Not exactly sure on her age but judging by her size I'd say she's under 6 months [she's quite little bless her]. I thought having another, younger female might mean that dominance shows were avoided and just assumed Cinnamon would take on a more dominant role and there would hopefully be harmony quickly.

The cage Cinnamon came in wasn't adequate for her so I bought a bigger cage which, after some research, I chose one suitable for two. Cinnamon has been in it for a couple of days so I thoroughly cleaned it, and bleached it to remove traces of scent.

I've just introduced the cavies tonight, and first introduced them on neutral ground. There was a lot of chasing, rumblestrutting and a LOT of high-pitched wheeking from both piggies, but no fighting. Eventually they settled down and although they both have their own houses Cinnamon allowed Chocolate to share. Assuming all was well, I re-cleaned the bigger cage, just to be sure, thoroughly rinsed and dried it, and added new bedding, hay and some little distractions here and there, as well as a mix of veggies.

And this is where I seem to have problems.

For the last 2/3 hours, they've gone between hiding together under large piles of fresh hay to Cinnamon chasing and jumping on Chocolate. There has been a LOT of very high-pitched wheeking but I've been keeping an eye and there has been no biting, just chasing and squeaking. There was a little teeth chattering at the very beginning from Cinnamon but that eased off in seconds. I'm not sure if this is bullying/dominance behaviour from Cinnamon, but little Chocolate seems to be backing into a corner, she hasn't touched ANY of the food or water I've put out... I'm really getting worried, is this normal or should I put it down to Cinnamon being a bully and if so should I remove Chocolate? She's a lot smaller and I don't want her being bullied :(
 
This is perfectly normal for piggies. It takes a while before they establish who is in charge. The chasing and squealing is just part of it. Usually the lower piggy will make a squeak to show they are being dominated and that they are submitting. If one will not allow the other to eat then you can feed them separately. You have done all the right things with introducing them and cleaning the home. Hopefully they will soon settle.
 
This sounds perfectly normal behaviour they are simply working out whos boss and by the looks of it it will be cinamon. Keep an eye on them however if this continues without ease for several days then it could be seen as bullying behavior and they may need seperating. Put food in several places so both pigs can eat make sure theres 2 water bottles at different positions and 2 hideys, one smaller one for chocolate that cinamon cant fit into would be advisable so chocolate can escape cinamon for a while, hope this helps
 
Thanks, I really hope so... Chocolate has a lovely personality, although she's obviously shy with being the "newer" piggie, she seems to like her cuddles more than Cinnamon does. I just don't want any discordance between them, would be nice for them both to have some company...
 
With regards to "Hidies" I would use some plain cardboard boxes, I cut a hole at either end so as the less dominant piggy can't get trapped :) Chocolate will come out to eat, try to give their pellets/dry food in two small bowls & spread the veggies around to give her a chance to grab some. Also you could have Cinnamon out for some cuddles at veg time, just for a few minutes, that would give Chocolate a head start on the food rolleyes

I don't think using bleach to clean their cages is a good idea, my brother cleaned my nephew's out many years ago & used bleach & lost both piggies :( I use a cleaner like Wilkinson's cage cleaner or F10 to clean the cage :)
 
Poppy'sMum said:
With regards to "Hidies" I would use some plain cardboard boxes, I cut a hole at either end so as the less dominant piggy can't get trapped :) Chocolate will come out to eat, try to give their pellets/dry food in two small bowls & spread the veggies around to give her a chance to grab some. Also you could have Cinnamon out for some cuddles at veg time, just for a few minutes, that would give Chocolate a head start on the food rolleyes

I don't think using bleach to clean their cages is a good idea, my brother cleaned my nephew's out many years ago & used bleach & lost both piggies :( I use a cleaner like Wilkinson's cage cleaner or F10 to clean the cage :)
Click to expand...

I currently have two bowls of dry food at each end of the cage, Chocolate still hasn't been out but I've put a ton of hay in the cage which she's had a bit of a munch on, so fingers crossed she'll come out eventually for some food. I put a large spread of veggies on including a little bit of carrot, red bell peppers etc and she really doesn't seem interested, Cinnamon had no qualms in stuffing her face! If her food looks untouched in the morning I think I'll get Cinnamon out for floortime first so Chocolate has a bit of peace, and make her a little veggie feast.
As I write it's been quiet for half an hour or so, Chocolate is in her little box and Cinnamon is in her house, neither have ventured out. I'm wanting to go to bed soon so I'm hoping the seeming calm ensues. I had planned on staying up late but as I'm pregnant the life is drained out of me! Lol.
Determined that these two piggies will be loved and taken well care of though, neither were looked after very well before I got them... I think Cinnamon was being used by a shady breeder who I had no qualms in reporting after it turned out he was keeping them in cages on his balcony! grrrr And Chocolate was a pet shop acquisition, but the type of pet shop that thinks it's okay to keep rabbits and guineas together... I will make sure they get all the TLC they need to be healthy and happy!
Going to take them to the vet on Monday too for a check up of sorts [an exotic pets' vet, obviously] as I think nails need clipping and I want to make sure they're generally in good health.
As for bleach, I did do a lot of research before I decided to go with a diluted bleach mix and a lot of sites were saying it's safe as long as it's rinsed thoroughly, but for future reference I'll just buy pet disinfectant as now I'm terrified haha :(
 
As everyone else already said, your introduction behaviour all sounds normal. I've done quite a few introductions now, and its always nervewrecking! Just wanted to say well done on doing so much research :) bet loads of new pet owners don't bother, but you seem to be doing everything right. Also, this is the right place to be if youre ever stuck, cause people on here have helped me so much in the past :) Good luck with your piggies. Hope they will soon become the bestest of friends
 
Thanks so much for all the info and reassurance guys, it's much appreciated. Next time I have some spare cash - which should be the beginning of next month - I plan on making a massive cage/run for them.
Thought I'd give you all an update anyway, they were fairly quiet overnight but I was a little worried about Chocolate as she still hadn't ate much, just a tiny bit of hay. This morning I took Cinnamon out for cuddle time and put some veg out for Chocolate, who was absolutely NOT interested. Both parties seemed quite stressed too - Cinnamon was grinding her teeth on my lap and if I'm honest, I was preparing to separate them. However, after a lot of chasing and wheeking AGAIN, I discovered after careful observation I discovered it's not all Cinnamon being a bully... Chocolate has been nibbling on her ears and having a bit of a chin off, and even tried to steal a little lettuce from Cinnamon, who of course was having none of it. So I'm thinking there's a bit of a power struggle going on, but they have had breakfast together, and Chocolate has had some red pepper, carrot and lettuce this morning, as well as demolishing some hay. So I feel better. So I think my best bet is not to separate them at food time as it seems to stress them out more. They're still having a hard time sharing houses but I'm not fussed about that too much as they both have their own hideys anyway if they are getting narked.

P.s. All your help has been really informative and reassuring thanks, my partner owned cavies when he was young so is a little less panicky than me, but as a "first time mum" I want to make sure they're both healthy and happy pigs :)
 
I think the general rule of thumb is don't separate unless blood is drawn :... However I would say Chocolate will back down especially if Cinnamon is getting the pick of the food. It's all normal, but scary for us!

My three spent about 4 days doing nose offs, lunging & chasing each other (especially the youngest two) it was horrible really, I couldn't sleep at all lol! They now get on fine, except the middle one (unrelated to the other two) really doesn't like the youngest who is the daughter of the oldest & dominant piggy, but they tolerate one another. Good luck :)
 
Yeah, I definitely feel Cinnamon is gonna be head honcho, she keeps chasing Chocolate out of her house bless her. There's still some wheeking and squeaking but I guess it's all part of the bonding process. There has been no fighting, biting or drawn blood yet, so it might just be a case of Cinnamon getting used to having a friend around again. :P
 
I agree with poppys mum, don't seperate too early. I made that mistake before and thinking back now- knowing more about piggy behaviour- I should have stuck it out, but its quite scarry to see them at it. What you discrible still sounds quite mild. My boys had some proper full on rows together in the beginning, but are the best of friends now :-)
 
Little ones often make a lot of noise when newly bonding. Trying watching a baby sow be put in a herd of sows. It should settle with time, i know its worrying, your doing all the right things and yes a bigger cage usually makes a huge difference. Dont panic about your piggie not eating veg, hay is the most important part of the diet. Try also scattering pellets (or the muesli if you use that) in with the hay, means that both pigs can also eat it.

x.
 
The fighting seems to be subsiding a little but I've had a bit of good news... I might be able to get hold of a couple of cage pieces really cheap... if I do I'll be building them a big run sooner than I thought :D As you can tell, this news greatly pleases me! I've had them out again, it seems the more floor time they get the less cage fighting we have and the more inclined Chocolate is to have her veggies.
My main concern now is that neither of them seem to be drinking at all! They have water but I've yet to see them take a drink. They have a bottle, and they can both use them, but I've put a water bowl in just in case.
 
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