Smaller Less Dominant Piggie Bullying Bigger Pig

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Nic bee

Nic bee

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Hello. My big piggie is 10mths old weighs 1.2kg and so laid back, my little pig is 7mths old 900g and flighty. I've had them 5 mths from a rescue and they've always got on but liked their own space. My big pig was clearly dominant but never mean with it (just rumbled lots around little pig) however over the past week my little pig has been pushing/chasing my big pig about and today stopped him getting hay. I saw them having an actual lunging at each other fight yesterday but panicked and jumped up so not sure what was actually going on but it did look like 2 furballs rolling round the cage together. They're always chattering their teeth at each other (lightly) & little pig won't let bigpig in the bed he's in anymore.
They have lots of space and 2 of everything now but I'm getting concerned as they have made contact in a fight. Could my little pig be trying to take over? My big pig looks so sad being pushed out of his bed where he's always slept..
Any advice please?
 
:D It sounds like you have done everything you can. You have given them enough space to get away from each other, and put two of everything in their cage. Have you got two hay racks, water bottles and bowls? I should just let them sort it out between them. Don't be tempted to move them somewhere else, or it will start all over again. As long as blood is not drawn, it will be okay. Tagging @Wiebke for more advice.
 
I second @7squeakers. You have two of everything, so there isn't very much more that you can do if they have a good amount of space. Don't separate them unless blood has been drawn. I had to separate my boys for other reasons, when Eggs scratched Bacon's eye so badly that it required medical attention. It might be a good idea to make sure both pigs' nails aren't sharp.

It does sound like your younger pig is trying to take over the dominant position. That doesn't surprise me very much though-he's starting adolescence, and, as heartbreaking as it is, this is probably going to go on for another year or so. Just keep weighing both of them and if it seems like one is losing weight rapidly, like he's not getting enough to eat, separate immediately, and if you notice that your older-or younger pig for that matter-isn't getting enough to drink it would be a good idea to separate as well.

Hang in there. It's really hard to watch them fight, but you just have to hope that their relationship makes it through.
 
Nic bee said:
Hello. My big piggie is 10mths old weighs 1.2kg and so laid back, my little pig is 7mths old 900g and flighty. I've had them 5 mths from a rescue and they've always got on but liked their own space. My big pig was clearly dominant but never mean with it (just rumbled lots around little pig) however over the past week my little pig has been pushing/chasing my big pig about and today stopped him getting hay. I saw them having an actual lunging at each other fight yesterday but panicked and jumped up so not sure what was actually going on but it did look like 2 furballs rolling round the cage together. They're always chattering their teeth at each other (lightly) & little pig won't let bigpig in the bed he's in anymore.
They have lots of space and 2 of everything now but I'm getting concerned as they have made contact in a fight. Could my little pig be trying to take over? My big pig looks so sad being pushed out of his bed where he's always slept..
Any advice please?
Click to expand...

Hi! Your younger boy (and I assume that you are talking about boars?) is currently at the point where his testosterone levels and output are at an all-time high. All boars go through this stage in their lives and it is always a tricky one. :(
You can find information and detailed tips for what you are going through at the moment in this information thread here (with further links): Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
 
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