Bullying Piggy -help

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lauralucy

lauralucy

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I'm not sure this is the right section so feel free to move.

Following the loss of 3 oldies at the beginning of the year my group of 6 went down to a trio. Dotty who's scared of everything, nelly (boy) and Maria. Dotty didn't like being a trio she seems happier in a group and nelly was starting to show his age (5.5)

In march I rescued two baby girls ruby and Ruth. Dotty seemed a lot happier and nelly was like a teenager.

I noticed a couple of scabs on dotty one behind the ear and one on her back/bum turned into a lump and needed to be popped.

Last week ruby had a scab under her chin which has turned in a lump (abscess) on antibiotics.

I believe Maria is the cause of these nelly also had a scab but didn't turn into a lump.

I have separated Maria into her own part of the cage. She isn't happy but the others have relaxed a bit.

My question is what would you suggest doing with Maria? I don't want a lone piggy but I can't have her bullying every pig.
 
Hi, its a tricky one this. The two babies have upset the hierarchy in the group, which is unusual when they are still babies.
Have you space to have 2 groups? It seems a shame to take Maria away from her original friends. Maybe if she was with the boar and your other sow was with the babies?
 
pig in the city said:
Hi, its a tricky one this. The two babies have upset the hierarchy in the group, which is unusual when they are still babies.
Have you space to have 2 groups? It seems a shame to take Maria away from her original friends. Maybe if she was with the boar and your other sow was with the babies?
Click to expand...

the hierarchy was upset in January when I lost my 3 old girls, Maria decided she was going to be top pig and I think the power went to her head.

Nelly gets along a lot better with the babies and is rumbling after them and they follow him I don't want to take him away from them and Dotty (who is coming out of herself now)

I know it seems mean on Maria but I think I would rather try and find her another friend just for her. Thank you for the suggestion though.
 
I think finding a friend for Maria sounds like the perfect solution.
Do you have a rescue nearby who could help with this?
And now I am singing the song from the Sound of Music 'How do you sole a problem like Maria' :D
Good luck with it all.
 
thank you, I have one in Chelmsford I have messaged they have a neutered boy.
 
Just an update, Maria has been to the vets and has been diagnosed with ovarian cysts which is she is currently undergoing hormone injections. I will wait until this has been finished and re assess.

Ruby has had her abscess's lanced.
 
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