A question about Minnie

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Tracyxx

Tracyxx

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I've had Minnie and Daisy for 2 years now. I got them together, when they were about 6 weeks old, and they're cousins. They lived happily on their own as a pair for a while and then I added Honey, my "funny pig" (who was dropped as a baby, although not by me!) and finally Faith, my grumpy old Himmy sow. For about a year, they were a wonderful group. Then I noticed Minnie's weight was dropping and her fur was missing. I treated her for lice and mites and there was nothing wrong with her apetite. I was flummoxed. Finally, after observing the group, I discovered Daisy was stopping her from getting anywhere near the food bowl, and had been pulling out her fur! Minnie was a sad soul so I moved her to a group of 3 sows - Violet, Daphne and Lucy.
Now Violet passed away in January and Minnie's been with Daphne and Lucy ever since. There's often a lot of rumbling so yesterday I tried to move her with another group of sows. They just attacked her. So she went back in with Daphne and Lucy - and Lucy went mental, chasing her round and biting her. They're OK now, but it's always Daphne and Lucy sitting together and snuggling up, whilst Minnie sits on her own. I know they're tolerating each other, but all of my other pigs are very lovely and bonded and get on wonderfully together..I feel sad that Minnie doesn't have that "special friend" to snuggle with.
So what do I do for the best? In a few weeks my shed will have more cages and I'm thinking of getting a baby sow to live with Minnie. What does everyone think? Does anyone else have pigs living together that simply tolerate one another but aren't the best of friends, and is that OK? I want Minnie to be happy, just like my other pigs. :)
 
Oh poor minnie I do feel for her. It is sad when they just tolerate each other. I think if it was me I would get a baby for her. She sounds a lovely pig and perhaps she would enjoy mothering a baby sow.
 
I agree, I had two sows that tolerated each other, one has passed over the rainbow bridge now, she was such a sweet little thing, I wished that I could have got them each a new friend. You are very thoughtful, do what your instinct tells you. Good luck with what ever you decide.:)
 
I am soft too! I would also get a baby for her! I'm doing that with my two now. Started with one boar, got a friend for him, they fell out so am going to get two friends. I have gone from one to four crazy.... I love them so much though and they are worth every penny.... may even have to quit smoking but they are worth it!
 
Thanks everyone!
I already have 26 though :red And all of them are in their very bonded groups, apart from Minnie, Daphs and Lucy. I thought about taking out one of the younger sows from the big groups I have and trying them together, but then I feel worried that I'd upset the balance in the big groups? All of my pigs usually get on so well together, it's such a shame that Daisy stopped loving her :( Poor Minnie, she needs a soulpig!
 
Poor Minnie :( She sounds similar to my Maddie. I got her as part of a trio with Albie & Lottie, Lottie became ill & passed away which left her with Albie. When he passed away last June i tried her with a pair of sows but she was grieving & was terribly bullied. She then lived next door to Toddie (intact boar) whom she seemed to grow to love so i had him neutered & paired them up but she wasn't happy sharing her space with him. Along came Lyric & Lark but she would sit with her head in a hay rack whilst the other 3 were snuggled up together at the opposite end of the hutch. I brought her inside & this is where she is now, on her own but she seems happier.
I hope Minnie finds her soulpig, i wish Maddie could find hers or maybe that's what I want & not what she wants :{
 
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