Feel really sorry for Bessie

[Lisajazz]

Hiya. Thoughts please.
Bessie and Gypsy are my foster pigs who I am adopting. They live together and it's mainly okay. Gypsy is a bit of a toughie and can pick on Bessie a bit, nothing violent but she's a rumbler and a teeth chatterer. Bessie is very shy indeed and isn't coming out of her shell as quickly as Gypsy - that's fine too.

The issue I have is that Bessie seems to be longing to be with my other girls, when they are out in the run the 6 are in one run and bessie and gypsy in another. Bessie just stares through the bars of the run at the others for so long smelling them and she looks so sad. I have introduced them before (Gypsy too) and Bessie fitted right in while Gypsy got very annoyed so I abandoned it and haven't done it again.

I dont know what I am asking here but I just want your thoughts. Do you think Bessie is unhappy with Gypsy and that's why she isn't coming out of her shell so much?

 

[Kira]

it sounds like Bessie would be happier with the other girls in my opinion....putting her with the other girls may help her come out of her shell but if Gypsy wont fit I'm not really sure what to suggest...maybe gypsy is too dominant or overbearing for bessie and that's why she's so shy?

maybe take gypsy to a centre and let her pick another partner and let bessie go with the others? =p good excuse to get another pig!

x

 

[Wiebke]

I noticed an amazing change when I put Taffy with the other piggies - she clearly relishes the company of a group, as that is what she has been living in before she was rescued.

I can imagine that Bessie is not happy with being bullied by Gypsy (who won't like having to give up her top spot!), but would like being with others.

It is a dilemma you've got here, and not an easy one to find a solution for that makes all piggies happy!

Perhaps Gypsy might be happier with a neutered male longterm?

 

[Lisajazz]

That's what I was thinking - I've heard that the girl rules the roost with a mixed sex pairing and I do think Bessie would thrive with the others as she's not into being top girl at all plus in large herds they all relax more as there are more eyes to keep a lookout. There isn't a bully in my 6 girl group although there is a top girl (and she doesn't like Gypsy at all)

Dilemma. I am going have a long hard think and in the meantime if anyone else has any ideas / thoughts please share them!