Bella Doesn't Seem Happy

[ayemee]

I've had Bella my newest rescue piggy since Sunday, so just under a week.

She has had the all clear health wise, so bonded her with the others as she became very quiet and withdrawn from loneliness.

However now I'm not sure she's happy. She often just sits in one corner and Martha can be a pest with chasing her.

Gracie has settled right in with the others. But poor Bella still seems very out of sorts. I know it's early days but I'm thinking it all might be a little much.

 

[sport_billy]

She may be finding the herd situation a little much at moment, hopefully she will find her feet, early days, she eating okay?

 

[sport_billy]

How long has it been since she was bonded with them?

 

[ayemee]

She may be finding the herd situation a little much at moment, hopefully she will find her feet, early days, she eating okay?

She's been tucking into veggies fine at feeding time. She's been sharing a hay pile with hendricks too. As far as I can tell she is eating okay yes. I've been taking her out now and again to give feeding time on her own to make sure.

It's only been around 3 full days. I know very early days yet. Just hoping she's ok.

 

[ayemee]

She ate some veg with the others tonight for a short time before dragging her share into her hidey to be on her own.

 

[Guinea pig slave]

Just a thought but having herds myself, find 2 food plates work really well Maybe try that if you haven't already
Ensures that each piggy can eat comfortably at their pace and there's no bullying.

 

[Pawz]

You said before that Bella came from an elderly owner. Maybe the whole "herd" environment is just so new to her as I doubt her former owner had such a tribe.
She's probably sat there saying "Am I still dreaming? look at all these free-range piggies in this vast enclosure." Also maybe she's just a bit shy and will come out of her shell once she realizes she's no longer destined to spend eternity alone or simply with 1 room mate.

 

[Wiebke]

She's been tucking into veggies fine at feeding time. She's been sharing a hay pile with hendricks too. As far as I can tell she is eating okay yes. I've been taking her out now and again to give feeding time on her own to make sure.

It's only been around 3 full days. I know very early days yet. Just hoping she's ok.

I have had sows that have taken longer to integrate; 3 days is a rather short time. Give it more time. Group dominance takes around 2 weeks to settle down. That is the time you and any new piggy have to sit out.