Am I being mean?

[Abi_nurse]

Hi guys,

Just wanted some advise, its kinda hard to explain without a quick rundown of what going on so bare with me for a moment.

I had 4 sows, one of which was pregnant when i got her. She successfully gave birth to two little pups early August and theyve been doing well since. My 4 sows now live together happily and i had the two babies in a seperate cage together, as i was not 100% on sexes but i now am. Theyre two little sows as well.
Until a couple of days ago, the pups got on fine, a little rumbling went on but i thought i would just keep an eye on it until Wednesday. I was watching the pair when they litrally launched at each other to fight. I split them straight away. No piggies were hurt thankfully.

So then i had the dilema of what to do with the pups. My friend just lost one of her two sows and i thought maybe the remaining piggie would like a friend. So far so good. Problem is the remaining girl. Ive introduced her to the group, on nutral ground, they were all out in the run today on the grass. All fine. But tonight i pop them into there indoor cage and the pup doesnt seem happy.

My 4 girls tend to be a bit rough, they rumble occationally, nudge each other out the way. But if any one of the girls goes near the baby, touches her, nudges her, tell her off etc she really makes a huge deal, squeaks, runs and hides. I dont know weather this is fair on her?

Will she get any better? get more confident, they dont seem to be bullying her, she just seems to be scared of it all. I really dont want to have a lonely piggie if i take her out? I dont know what to do?

Any ideas? Help?

x.

 

[4piggiepigs]

My babie's did the whimpering sound so i sectioned off part of the cage so she could be near them but not get hurt overnight and whne i got up she had got through the grid and was perfectly fine. The older pig's will bully for a while but it should be fine and tho the sound's are horrible they are normal as soon as they all know their place they will be fine.

 

[Ralphisamadpig]

They are just establishing who is superior- i.e putting baby girl in her place.

 

[shazbo]

hi mt boys are 2 in feb and still do alot of rumbling and one does seem to pick on the other sometimes niping at his back when he walks passed and he has a habit of wheeking loud and usually i look and the other is either biting his ear or sucking it but some times he lets him do it . i dont think any harm is being cause they are just showing who is boss you may find the tables will turn

 

[Abi_nurse]

Thanks guys,

Theyve all been in there indoor run all day and they seem to be ok, one or two of the older sows must be in season because theres been plenty of rumbling and trying to mount, but all seems fine otherwise. Ive put loads of hides in there and I'm going to leave them in there overnight. Theyre all happily tucking into a supper of greens and broccoli.

Thanks for the advise.

x.