The 3 (new) little piggies
New cages arrived today. Got them set up and the piggies in their new homes. The cages are about 10 inches shorter than the other ones but the same width. The piggies still look tiny in them. The girls were very excited. Oreo was too but not quite as much. It was so cute to watch them frolicking around. I think they'll have plenty of room.
Got the newbies (can't call them that for too much longer) off the paper bedding and on fleece like the rest of the piggies. Oreo liked it and spent a good amount of time checking it out. I think it'll be good for him. The girls were a slightly different story. I'm wondering if, even after 3 washes and a high heat drying, they smell the scent from the boys being on it. They immediately started chasing and trying to mount each other. It was a little bit of a scuffle but neither one of them got hurt.
That's the kind of behavior I expected from Sammy and Dean, but they haven't had so much as a rumble strut, lunge or nip. Sammy even grabbed the long stem of grass from Dean and he didn't seem to care. He just grabbed up another one. They're over 2 now, so maybe they're calming down. Anyway, back to the girls. I've never had sows act like this. Is it normal? Could there be some of the scent from the boys still on the fleece? Maybe it is the new environment caused by fleece replacing the paper bedding. Any ideas?
That's the kind of behavior I expected from Sammy and Dean, but they haven't had so much as a rumble strut, lunge or nip. Sammy even grabbed the long stem of grass from Dean and he didn't seem to care. He just grabbed up another one. They're over 2 now, so maybe they're calming down. Anyway, back to the girls. I've never had sows act like this. Is it normal? Could there be some of the scent from the boys still on the fleece? Maybe it is the new environment caused by fleece replacing the paper bedding. Any ideas?
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daisymay
- Supporter 2016-2021
I would let it play out. As long as no blood is drawn they should be alright. It could be just more room seeing who is going to be top pig. I have 3 girls together, Jill 5 and a half, Jay 18 months, Jersey 8 mths and Jersey terrorising the other two. No matter how many times they snap at her and chase her she still does it. Hoping she settles down soon for my sanity!
Thanks Daisy. They said at the shelter that both of these girls are a year and 1 month old. I don't see how. Ginger especially because she's got that look like a pup. Not sure how to describe it other than her neck has not filled out yet and she's kinda small. Ginger is noticeably bigger, yet small herself. I'd guess about 6-7 months old for Ginger and maybe a year old for Maryann.
Even though she's really small, Ginger flat out terrorizes Maryann. She's actually a very impetuous little girl. A very loud wheeker too. When she wheeks, you can see her mouth open. It's so adorable (the wheeking)!
Even though she's really small, Ginger flat out terrorizes Maryann. She's actually a very impetuous little girl. A very loud wheeker too. When she wheeks, you can see her mouth open. It's so adorable (the wheeking)!
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daisymay
- Supporter 2016-2021
Sounds a right little madam! I can't say she'll grow out of it as Jessie was 4 when we added Jemma and Jasmine(they were 3 weeks) and she chased them, tried to mount them etc. When exhausted she'd sit down and wash their faces. It was funny when they grew she couldn't lift her legs that high but she had fun trying. She started on doing it to their faces but they put their paws down to that! So she gave up and ignored them.
Make sure both are getting food and weigh both, Jersey at times won't let Jay eat so just keep an eye for things like that. Even though we have 2 of everything. Bossy 4 paws!
Make sure both are getting food and weigh both, Jersey at times won't let Jay eat so just keep an eye for things like that. Even though we have 2 of everything. Bossy 4 paws!
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Lynx
- Celebrate!!!
If you're weighing them regularly (weekly is recommended), you will have another way to estimate age.
http://www.guinealynx.info/weigh.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/weigh.html
It's kinda hard to get an accurate weight on these piggies since they are still skiddish and try to run away. I have the girls at about 1.8 lbs and Oreo sitting at around 2.3 lbs. They're all noticeably smaller than the boys, all of whom are around 3 lbs or more in the case of BJ.
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daisymay
- Supporter 2016-2021
That's not fat on BJ that is muscle! Cause he eats his spinach and he is BJ the sailor pig! Toot toot! Just thought as you had a Ginger and Mary Ann you could have a Popeye too.
Have you googled Tina Louise who played Ginger? You may get a shock! Shame only 2 of them left! Grew up on that show!
Have you googled Tina Louise who played Ginger? You may get a shock! Shame only 2 of them left! Grew up on that show!
Introduced the girls to grazing outside today. Took them a few minutes, but in the end, their love of grass overrode their fear of being outside and they ate quite a bit in the few minutes they were allowed out.
I've been picking grass a little at a time for them so they already know they like it. I'm keeping the outside time at a minimum until they get used to the big open sky and all of the neighborhood noises.
Look at that big boy! Mr Bubbles taught him well and now he's grown up enough to be outside by himself!