Barbering during laptime

[plumduff]

Last weekend I suddenly found myself with two rescue sows who are about 9 months old. A friend rescued several animals from a closing down pet shop - so since I have a nice secure garden I took the pigs. These sisters have not been handled. They are skittish and hard to pick up. One is braver than the other and after several days she will now take food from my hand. The other one hides and unlike her braver sister is too clever to be herded into a tunnel for pick up. I have had pigs before as a child, and when my son was younger. Both sets of previous pigs were exceptionally tame. I would like these new girls to get tame enough that I can easily lift them out to the garden or bring them out for floortime in the winter. I have brought the new girls out for socialisation in a basket with a soft towel in the base. The braver of the sisters is chewing on her sisters hair while in the basket. I noticed they don't really lay close in the cage, so I'm wondering if she is irritated by the close proximity of her sister in the basket. Should I take them out separately, or will splitting them up stress them more?

 

[Lady Kelly]

Some pigs barber. There doesn't seem to be a set reason for it that anyone can find. When I brought Donald home and he settled with my ladies daisy decided to change him from a long haired to extremely short haired pig overnight, it was a shock. She's spent the past year maintaining a short top and sides for him but unfortunately doesn't help with his bum area

 

[Lady Kelly]

You might find this guide useful Barbering ( Eating Hair)

 

[Lorcan]

Some pigs barber. There doesn't seem to be a set reason for it that anyone can find. When I brought Donald home and he settled with my ladies daisy decided to change him from a long haired to extremely short haired pig overnight, it was a shock. She's spent the past year maintaining a short top and sides for him but unfortunately doesn't help with his bum area

I remember that photo, it was one hell of a haircut!

 

[plumduff]

Thanks - yes - i already had a read at that. Would you suggest taking these girls out separately or together for their socialisation time. I added a picture of them on the grass in a puppy pen while I prepared their indoor cage. I would like to do my best for them, and would like them to be more relaxed so they can get the best out of life. I don't want to make any mistakes or add to any friction between them. I forgot to mention - the shyer sister has very chewed ear margins.

 

[VickiA]

It’s hard to know whether it’s best to handle them separately or as a pair. Separating them at lap time may cause more stress. But you could give it a try and see what happens.

 

[Lady Kelly]

I agree with Vicki, give it a try and check what their behaviour is like. Some piggies are more stressed when out on their own

 

[plumduff]

Ok - will give it a go and try to gauge if it is better or worse for them. Thanks.