Worried - is it just Spring or do we have a problem?

[WombatnPiglet]

Hi All

Now that Wombat has settled in and isn't so nervous he has been exhibiting some dominance behaviour, particularly since Piglet has been ill.

There is almost constant chattering of teeth from him, directed at both Piglet and me, and he has been camping outside Piglet's hidey almost preventing him from coming out. Then this morning when it was fresh veggies time, Piglet didn't come out of his hidey to eat at all, and Wombat was hogging the veggies. I've since separated the veggies and put them in two bowls, but Piglet won't come out of his hidey to the feeding area at all. I've put his bowl in front of his hidey for the meantime, but I'm worried...

We've had them for 3 weeks now so we don't really know their personalities, but what worries me is that Wombat has been paired with other piggies at his rescue (you can see on the website that he was 'advertised' with two other pigs). Do you think he's one of those 'difficult' boars that needs watching? He's 2 and Piglet is 18 months.

Thanks in advice for the wisdom!

 

[lauraboara]

Stopping Piglet getting to veggies is not a good bit of behaviour but may be temporary. Wombat will have detected that Piglet has been off colour and is probably taking advantage to make the hierarchy extremely clear.

Good idea to provide 2 bowls of veggies. With my boars, I tend to hand feed their veggies so that I know that each gets their own share - and it is also good for building a relationship between human and g pig! Could you fit some hand feeding into your routine?

2 water bottles, 2 dishes, 2 beds etc all good plan. Also I tend to favour tunnel hideys - certainly entrance and an exit so that boys don't get trapped in.

Keep observing but try not to call Wombat 'difficult' because he is still settling into your household too. Let us know how things progress.

 

[Salt n Peppers mum]

I would definitely keep a record of each pigs weight, especially Piglet who is still having treatment for UTI?

Your own judgment is critical about what's going on with your boys, observe well.

As the boys are new to you and their new home then yes expect some dominant behaviours. Also the hierarchy can be compromised with one pig being ill.
There is a line between healthy dominant behaviour and bullying. Bullying is very stressful for the underpig and not good for Piglet's health if that's what's going on.

Try and observe as much as possible what's definitely going on with Piglet and Wombat
And please log their weights, I would routinely weigh them every week, doing a visual health check on them at the same time, more often if you suspect problems. Nails, eyes, ears and skin/coat, checking 'boar bits'

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showpost.php?p=534902&postcount=1


http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=76162

I suspect Piglet being ill is causing Wombat to stamp the dominant mark, but it will grind on Piglet's health which isn't good.
I suggest you give Piglet half half hr time out with you, and feed him his favourite food, let him relax and observe him. The more we can understand what's going on, the better we can help the boys.

 

[Salt n Peppers mum]

With my boars, I tend to hand feed their veggies so that I know that each gets their own share - and it is also good for building a relationship between human and g pig! Could you fit some hand feeding into your routine?

2 water bottles, 2 dishes, 2 beds etc all good plan. Also I tend to favour tunnel hideys - certainly entrance and an exit so that boys don't get trapped in.

Definitely handfeed, brilliant advice.

So many positives come from hand feeding, to make sure they get their quota, checking out eating issues, and to help build on trust and bonding.