Bullying

Princess_Harriet

Princess_Harriet

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Mar 31, 2021
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Location
New York, USA
My year old (Harriet) and my 11 month old (Sylvia) have been chasing my 8 month old (Charlotte). They haven’t caused serious cuts but they will nip her and chase her away from the hay feeder. I’m getting a different feeder soon but they chase her away from everything else too! (Toys, hideys, etc.) She seems to be getting enough to eat and she’s pretty active but I was wondering if there is anything I can do to make it more pleasant for her. She is a very small pig. She isn’t underweight but she is very tiny which makes her susceptible to bullying. Any tips welcome! Thank you!
 
Being small doesn’t make them more susceptible to bullying. How has her weigh been? Is she stable or putting on weight? Is she allowed to eat? I would get rid of hay feeders and just have several (3) piles of hay around the cage. It sounds like she’s bottom of the pile. Nipping can be a ‘reminder’ or a get away kind of thing. Has any hair been pulled? Have a read of the guides I’ve linked below. See where they are behaviour wise using the first one.

Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Moody guinea pigs: Depression, Bullying, Aggression, Stress, Fear and Antisocial Behaviour
 
Yes some of her hair was loose the other day. I check there weight every Saturday and she gained an ounce between the past two saturdays. She is allowed to eat but only after the others have finished. So I looked at the top guide and my two older pigs have been teeth chattering, purring, and dragging their bottoms on the floor. I’ve only seen them mount her once. They’ve also been doing three snuffling but I thought they were just sneezing! Any way to tell the difference to tell the difference between sneezing and annoyed snuffling? She also squeaks very loudly when they are trying to chase her out of hideys. I’ll try giving them piles of hay. Anything else I can do? Harriet used to bully Sylvia when they were smaller but once Sylvia got bigger she stopped. This has been going on since we got Charlotte (October) and shows no signs of stopping! Thank you!
 
You have to be careful when you use the term bullying. That’s an entirely different thing with the piggy not allowed to eat, rest or do anything. It’s in the guide I linked above. Squeaking is likely her just saying she accepts her position as the bottom pig. And mounting can happen when they’re in season as well. I would scatter feed pellets and the veg as well so they can’t hog. Or hand feed them veg and scatter the pellets.

A sneeze is different. I’m not sure what you mean by snuffling though.
 
Sorry I meant snorting as it says in the guide. They now have piles of hay and I’ll add another hidey. Hopefully that will solve it. Thanks!
 
I would have the off everything. Make sure they’re spread out.
 
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