Separated Pig Chewing Bars

[parkpiggies]

Hi everyone,
Yesterday, I brought a new baby pig home, I already had a group of 3 girls. I decided it would be best to have 2 pairs rather than the 4 altogether as one of my girls was picking on the other 2 a bit. So I put her in with the baby, in a separate cage, but right next to the other 2. She is now almost constantly biting on the bars, on the side that is next to the other 2. Does she miss them? I thought she would be okay seeing as she has a baby with her, but she’s almost ignoring the baby and completely focused on getting to the other two. Thanks in advance.

 

[Siikibam]

What do you mean when you say she was picking on the other two? You have to be careful about separating when it’s normal dominance behaviour.

It could be that she’s missing the other two. How old is the new baby? And when you say you out in a separate cage, did you bond first or just put them together in a new cage. Your answers will determine the next steps.

 

[parkpiggies]

She would kind of jump on them and rumble strut if either of them went near her, especially one of them.
The new baby is 6 weeks, I bonded them in a play pen before I put them in the new cage, everything seemed fine.

 

[Piggies&buns]

She would kind of jump on them and rumble strut if either of them went near her, especially one of them.
The new baby is 6 weeks, I bonded them in a play pen before I put them in the new cage, everything seemed fine.

rumblestrutting and mounting is an entirely normal dominance behaviour. It is not picking on them.
Separating her from the friends she is bonded with and putting her with a ‘stranger’ is likely upsetting her.
you would do better to bond all four together provided you cage is big enough for four piggies

 

[parkpiggies]

rumblestrutting and mounting is an entirely normal dominance behaviour. It is not picking on them.
Separating her from the friends she is bonded with and putting her with a ‘stranger’ is likely upsetting her.
you would do better to bond all four together provided you cage is big enough for four piggies

rumblestrutting and mounting is an entirely normal dominance behaviour. It is not picking on them.
Separating her from the friends she is bonded with and putting her with a ‘stranger’ is likely upsetting her.
you would do better to bond all four together provided you cage is big enough for four piggies

I have a 5x2 c&c cage, is that big enough for 4? I could potentially make it bigger.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m afraid it’s not big enough - four sows need a 6x2

 

[parkpiggies]

I can make it bigger, however, she has started chasing the baby and the baby squeals. I might just be being paranoid but I'm scared she's going to hurt her. The baby obviously isnt fighting back which is why I havent separated them.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I can make it bigger, however, she has started chasing the baby and the baby squeals. I might just be being paranoid but I'm scared she's going to hurt her. The baby obviously isnt fighting back which is why I havent separated them.

Chasing is normal and squealing is good - it’s submission. The baby is acknowledging the top pig’s position and is literally saying ‘I’m no threat‘. She won’t hurt the baby

 

[parkpiggies]

Oh good, thank you. I'm going to build them a bigger cage tomorrow, I have leftover grids from making the first one. The poor baby is tiny compared to the others, must be very overwhelming for her.
Thanks for your advice.

 

[parkpiggies]

Just thought I’d show you how theyve got on. Everyone is happy and settled in their new cage. Pictures for cuteness.