Bullying over food

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custardcream

custardcream

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Hi all,

I have a question about my two 7 week old GP's -

I have had them for 2 days now (they live outside unfortunately as I am currently living with my Mum) and today I have been hand feeding them and whilst doing this I noticed that Custard (from what I can tell already is more confident than Cream) is taking food out of Cream's mouth like she is the boss. At one point there was a little bardge from Custard and a squeek from Cream. My main problem is that Custard is going to bully Cream so she can get all the food and Cream will have less or go without.

I have read that one way to prevent this is to put two bowls of food in the cage. I will start doing this tomorrow morning.

Is the only way of seeing if this is going to carry on, waiting to see how their weight is? If Custard's will increase and Creams reduce? I'd rather not have to wait until I can see if Cream's weight reduces!

Any tips would be handy.

Thanks in advance!

Alex
:))
 
When I had sister guineas, one would always try to take more than her fair share, it was her way of saying she was the boss. We also used to spread their food out around the cage, we just made sure the other got her fair share of the best bits by putting them under a hidey where she could eat it in peace. Meanwhile the other thought she was getting ALL of the food in the bowl, so everyone was happy. :)
 
My piggies still argue now a bit if there favourite foods are involved, i wouldnt worry to much as the odd wheek and bum shove is normal.
 
My girls will sometimes take food from one another. They all do it to each other, even Pixel (our youngest) trys to take food from the other two sometimes (especially if it's something tasty like a dandelion or some parsley! :)) )

We split veggies over two dishes to make sure they share, although more often than not all three choose the same dish rolleyes

Good luck with your piggies
 
I spread veggies all over the cage as others do, and make sure that the more dominant pig cant' just eat from the door of a hidey hole and blocking the other pig in. So veggies are not near the hidey holes. x
 
Guinea pigs are so greedy, they often do that! For 7 week old pigs I'd give them unlimited dry food anyway (not sure what everyone else here does) so they'd both definitely get enough dry food that way anyway, also unlimited hay and grass.
 
Thank you all so much for your quick responces!

They have unlimited pellets and hay so I am hoping she'll get some of that. I will also spread the veg over the cage.

I am pleased to say that they have just found out how to use their ramp in their 2 tier hutch! I have just watched them walk down and up it! I am a very proud Mum!

Thanks again, now just to sort out their names - My family like the names Simone (after Simon Cowell as she as a middle parting on her head!), and Hatty (she looks like she is wearing a hat and she's fully white with a brown patch on her head). I prefer Custard and Cream! Oh the dilemas! I'll post pictures soon when they aren't so timid.

Thanks!

Alex
 
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