Herd Shennanigans :-(

[Doeylicious]

Well after finally cracking it with Bruno, Muffin and Crumpet who are now very loved up, my 'calm and oh so easy' herd have decided being a herd is not for them!

Well I say THEY, it's more ONE of them. The other day we found a nip on Honey's nose, and a bit of ear had been munched. Given as there are six of them I had no idea who did it, so started covert ops to see what was going on (cue peering through venetian blinds with a torch etc)

Tonight Honey, JoJo (snipped boar of the group) and Bounty were on the top level waiting for their tea. I was just giving Bumble and Pixie (who live next door) their veg when I heard a very loud WHEEK, spun round to see blood dripping from Honey's lip

Grabbed her, yelled for Mum, blood going everywhere by now, Mum grabbed a towel and wrapped her in it, so blood all over the towel, I ran indoors for the hibi...cleaned her up and checked she was ok by offering veg which swiftly disappeared so she is fine in herself

I fed the rest of them, went in for my dinner, then after tea sat watching them for a good long while. I am 90% sure it wasn't Jo - he is very laid back, doesn't even really hump the girls, and has always been absolutely fine with Honey (they were originally to be bonded til she popped a sprog)

So suspect number two is Bounty. Bounty has always been a funny one, a past life with rabbits means she has never rumble strutted, teeth chattered, doesn't understand chin ups, basically she can't speak guinea very well. As such they can all seem fine and then, with literally no signs of aggression from anyone, she will just lunge

Her and Honey are similar in age and size so I always thought there might be a 'whose in charge' issue with them, but it looks like she is taking it too far.

So...is it time to take her out? Shall I take JoJo too as he was just with her before? Though he LOVES my other girls and I hope he will take over the herd when my matriarch Noodles goes to the bridge (she isn't doing too well bless her)

My instinct is to take her out and let her calm down, and see how she changes on her own...any opinions anyone?

 

[AudioHeart]

Aren't piggies difficult sometimes?

Give a big chin tickle to Honey from me. It must of been such a shock for you and your mum, everything was going so well!

Can you not put a wire mesh divider in the cage at all just until she calms down a bit? It might just help for a couple of days, Bounty sounds like a piggie who prefers her own space.

a past life with rabbits means she has never rumble strutted, teeth chattered, doesn't understand chin ups, basically she can't speak guinea very well. As such they can all seem fine and then, with literally no signs of aggression from anyone, she will just lunge

I have the same problem with Percy-Roo, and its worrying! He has no idea how to communicate with other piggies and its so sad to see. Even when hes in his run beside the girls he lunges and then starts popcorning. I just hope over the next few weeks they can teach him 'guinea pig' so he can have a friend all of his own.

 

[Suzygpr]

I agree, giving Bounty some time out may help or rule her out as the culprit. Whether she is suited to herd life is something to decide once she has settled, it could be that she has a strong season and the hormones got the better of her.

Honey may be a 'victim' pig (one that always attracts bullying from others) keep an eye on her to see if the others respond badly to her. Being cast out by the group, or dominant, can be an instinct if they sense the victim has an illness or just doesn't intergrate well within the group.

HTH

Suzy x

 

[Doeylicious]

Thanks guys.

Honey used to live with just Noodles, Whiskey and her daughter Tulip, and they all got on quite well. There would be times she would be on her own, but you could say the same about Whiskey too - they both have similar personalities in that they can come across quite irritable and just want their own space at times - I have always put it down to their seasons (have to admit, I am the same at certain times of the month :{) they are both incredibly loving and friendly when you get them out, and NOSY!

It's absolutely pouring at the moment, I am hoping it will die down in a bit so I can go and prepare a hutch for Bounty under an umbrella. Can't wait til we move to the flat, I have a wonderful taurpalin roof planned for the piggy area.