Cagney - What Next?!

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Guinea Slave

Guinea Slave

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As some of you may have been following. My little girl Cagney went down with Pneumonia last week. She seems to be recovering OK so I am tentatively looking forward to re introducing her to the herd when she is better. However I do have some serious concerns and just wondering what peoples thoughts are?

I have a herd of 4 now. All been together for about 2 years now. 1 mature boar who is about 4. 2 girls who are 4 and one girl who is 2. A while ago I had a mature 'matriarch' sow (Bella) who sorted everyone out in a quiet way and made sure everyone behaved to ensure the boy did not have to get bolshy. She sadly died back in March.

Since then Cagney (who has been bottom pig all this time) has been progressively bullied by the boy Sebastian. I am worried this has caused her immune system to dip and the Pneumonia to happen. He does not draw blood, or bite or anything like that. Just chases her about. When she became ill he tried to prevent her from eating by blocking her in. She is very wary of him. Their cage is 22square feet so she has room to get away from him.

I dont have many options. I have divided the cage up before but that stresses her out and she then is very hostile to whoever goes in with her (she tore her sisters ear). Really they all need to be in together. When we had Bella the issue was not so prevalent as Sebastian rarely got involved in domestics.

My husband suggested we try to find a mature 'matriarch' who can perhaps bring order back the herd. Which I do think is a good idea. (I will take them 'herd' dating to a rescue)

Just wondering what your thoughts are?
 
Poor Cagney, sorry to hear she is so poorly. I wouldn't introduce her back to the other piggies yet if she has been bullied, it may cause her health to go down hill again. Best to wait until another members comes on.
 
Chief Guinea Pig said:
Poor Cagney, sorry to hear she is so poorly. I wouldn't introduce her back to the other piggies yet if she has been bullied, it may cause her health to go down hill again. Best to wait until another members comes on.
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Hiya

Yes i do completely agree, she needs to be 110% before I do it but I just want to think ahead really, she needs her own kind of company but wont deal with one companion and is very lonely currently (she has humans but I dont think thats the same!). I need to ascertain what options I have really to prepare for when she does go back.
 
I have separated several times in similar situations like that, including severely bullied Caron, who is now living happily as a permanent foster with a friend after she wouldn't get on with any of my several groups at the time.

In the end I had to make the decision to remove Hywel from the Tribe, as whenever I took out the sow he was currently chasing around and bullying, he would find another victim down the line a few months later - and at wife #5 within three years I decided that I had enough! Bullying is always a latent problem in a herd as a bottom piggy is in its own way as important for defining the herd as the top sow/top husboar. Hywel was neutered because he kept bullying any boy he was introduced to, both by his previous loving owner and at the rescue, but it has not changed his personality!

It is a very tricky one if you cannot split either Sebastian or Cagney with just one companion from the rest of the herd. Looking for a calm but competent sow with leading qualities may still be an option. I had the same problem with my Tribe after ambitious Ffwlbri staged a coup and the group dynamics went haywire in wake with various issues going on at the same time.

Could you try the 75x150 linnmon Ikea table in the cage option like I did to create space for another separate pair; it is perfect for a cable wired 2x4 C&C cage? I just lift the table with my shoulders enough to change the bedding, so it doesn't have to be moved for every clean and it won't take up any more room space.

IMG_0820_edited-2.webp
 
Thank you Wiebke

I did wonder about creating another cage and separating them but I was thinking about Cagney not Sebastian. In fact Sebastian would probably be fine with one female (he adores Titch) so that may work. He is a devil and as you say, he may just bully another although its very calm now Cagney is not around but then he only has 2 ladies and one is half blind. Since she lost an eye he is very sweet with her and does not bully her at all.

I wonder if I should'nt try a matriarch type (if I can find one) and if that does not work then separate Sebastian and Titch. Its such a shame as they have a lovely set up and I always prefer a larger herd but I guess you get the odd character and I don't really want to pass Seb on as despite his 'interesting character' he is a cuddly adorable chap (whe he is not kicking or biting you that is :hug: . AND they were the ones who chose Sebastian! Hee hee.

BTW I love your descriptions! They are such funny little creatures are'nt they?
 
Don't tell me! I started out with one big group and ended up with 6 over the course of five years due to accommodating various special/strong pigsonalities and health problems... Thankfully, I am down to 5 groups now, which makes cleaning out time easier!

For being so group dependent, piggies have definitely got their quirks. And their group dynamics,,,
 
I have ten sows split into two groups because one sow In each group hate each other.There is a group of six and a group of four.Wanted all ten together so they could have the full room but within minutes of them being together für flies.They Go straight for each other.Really frustrating
 
Wiebke said:
Don't tell me! I started out with one big group and ended up with 6 over the course of five years due to accommodating various special/strong pigsonalities and health problems... Thankfully, I am down to 5 groups now, which makes cleaning out time easier!

For being so group dependent, piggies have definitely got their quirks. And their group dynamics,,,
Click to expand...

Gawd, I think I would be divorced by now! I do LOVE your set up though.
 
Wiebke said:
I have separated several times in similar situations like that, including severely bullied Caron, who is now living happily as a permanent foster with a friend after she wouldn't get on with any of my several groups at the time.

In the end I had to make the decision to remove Hywel from the Tribe, as whenever I took out the sow he was currently chasing around and bullying, he would find another victim down the line a few months later - and at wife #5 within three years I decided that I had enough! Bullying is always a latent problem in a herd as a bottom piggy is in its own way as important for defining the herd as the top sow/top husboar. Hywel was neutered because he kept bullying any boy he was introduced to, both by his previous loving owner and at the rescue, but it has not changed his personality!

It is a very tricky one if you cannot split either Sebastian or Cagney with just one companion from the rest of the herd. Looking for a calm but competent sow with leading qualities may still be an option. I had the same problem with my Tribe after ambitious Ffwlbri staged a coup and the group dynamics went haywire in wake with various issues going on at the same time.

Could you try the 75x150 linnmon Ikea table in the cage option like I did to create space for another separate pair; it is perfect for a cable wired 2x4 C&C cage? I just lift the table with my shoulders enough to change the bedding, so it doesn't have to be moved for every clean and it won't take up any more room space.

View attachment 13966
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wow I love your set up. My husband would crack up if there were as many cages as that in my house. But I think it looks awesome. :nod:

@Guinea Slave hope you find a solution for your poorly girl soon.
 
madguinealady said:
I have ten sows split into two groups because one sow In each group hate each other.There is a group of six and a group of four.Wanted all ten together so they could have the full room but within minutes of them being together für flies.They Go straight for each other.Really frustrating
Click to expand...

Eek! Does not look good then for me! Trouble is I do try to avoid this by ensuring they choose their friends and not me. I guess herds change dynamics when one passes on or as you say, there are health issues. I think Seb knows she is the weaker one of the herd and maybe he does not want her in the herd? I think I am looking at a redesign!
 
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