Talk

Flip

Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your pet, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Small pets

GP domination woes

3 replies

DoinItForTheKids · 20/05/2018 11:13

Hi

Had two approx 1.5 yo rescue sows for a good 5 months now.

Initially getting on well but recently one is bullying the other one and mostly what she does is putting her head up displays and rumblestrutting. It's noticeable the black GP is really touch sensitive to us humans now - not sure if it's related to the recent developments with her cage partner. In recent week or two dominant white one has started going up to the black one and biting out her hair (then eating it). DDs description is 'nibbling and pulling black one's hair out.

She does not prevent her from getting to food or water.

What should we do? Are we ok to leave it for the moment, should we do anything when we see it happening?

OP posts:

Report

DoinItForTheKids · 21/05/2018 20:53

We've had them out (separately) in the out of the cage play pen area this evening to give them a rest from one another and a look around somewhere different and as soon as they were put back in the cage together, the white one took a chunk out of the black one's fur! Rrrrrr.

I've told DD to split their fresh food in half and give half in the morning and save half for at night and feed it when they are put back in the cage together, hope that might help.

Any other ideas??

OP posts:

Report

user1492958275 · 22/05/2018 13:03

Check the black one for any cuts or blood, if not it could be she is just grooming her.

A pig won't rip out hair as a sign of attack, they will just attack and usually it's the nose/mouth/chin they will go for.

I have a greedy girl pig who is blind and will eat anything, she will eat wires, my clothes, she even eats my hair. She nibbles on me but never bites. She is one of my dumbest sweetest pigs.

Check black one over for cuts if there are no cuts and she is backing down from the other pig then it's just a case of reaching adulthood and finding out whos boss. So long as food/water isn't getting restricted I wouldn't worry personally.

Report

DoinItForTheKids · 22/05/2018 13:49

She is backing down and food/water not being blocked, but she squeals hugely because t'other one is doing it. I will check for bald patches tonight.

After splitting them up so they could have space, immediately on return to the cage, white one took a chunk of hair out of black ones body.