Boys fighting over veggies

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neuroticmum

neuroticmum

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Hi, I've recently adopted two boars, Patches and Bubbles both aged around 3 years and they've lived together for all their lives.

They generally get on fine with Patches reminding Bubbles that he is in charge by the odd bit of mounting and shoving him out of the way, nothing any more serious than that.

When I give them their daily veggie treats Patches is more than happy to eat from my hand but Bubbles prefers to take his food from me and hide to eat it. The trouble is that when Patches has eaten his food he steals Bubbles and poor Bubbles is left without. I've tried feeding Patches first and then giving Bubbles his while Patches is busy, but Patches still seems to end up eating more than his fair share. As Bubbles is so timid he wont eat while I hold him, and I dont know how to stop Patches going to steal from Bubbles.

Does anyone have any ideas how I can stop Patches stealing from Bubbles and ensure Bubbles gets his share?

Thanks
Carolyn
 
hmm difficult one, is there not something you could use to put Bubbles in during veggie time so that he can eat his fair share? Again its just Patches showing his dominance and having the pick of the veg but that doesn't help poor bubbles.

Even a small run, spare cage or decent sized cardboard box could be used if he won't eat while you are holding him
 
Why dont you take Patches out and feed him separately? That will ensure they are both eating their share of food.
 
Do you know that as stupid as it sounds i never thought about taking Patches out when I feed Bubbles - it could be a very simple solution and will try it tomorrow.

Thanks both!
Carolyn mallethead
 
Do not worry. I had to do this myself at one point when I had my first two piggies.
 
I have this problem with my mummy pig she is literally a piggy hoover rolleyes I may have to rename her "Chubster" lol !

You could try scattering the food around more & taking Patches out for some laptime for a few minutes to give the other one a head start.

Anyway I have been getting her out for laptime whilst I let the babies have their fill, then she goes back in when they've stuffed themselves to finish it all off. My problem is the babies are supposed to have unlimited pellets which is pretty impossible to do as Chubster will nick them all :) I am hoping eventually someone will invent Piggy Weight Watchers :))
 
I fed them seperately yesterday and that went fine, today I have given them both an equal share of carrot, corriander and romaine lettuce, they both just ate their own and there was no stealing at all!

Patches does seem to be a guinea pig dustbin though, he will try anything and everything (including my socks and a tea towel!)

Lol x
 
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