Dominance

[Lorcan]

My two are going to have my head melted at this rate. Blitzen's personality transplant has led to him being much more assertive. There's still no actual fighting and no more squabbling than usual but he's been going for a hump on Comet and that's really not like him. Comet still doesn't actually care.

With his personality shift I've noticed him frequently coming up to the cage bars for food and this is where the problem is. It was easier when he never bothered, you just gave it to Comet for Blitzen to thieve at some stage. But now, who do I feed first? Who do I handle first?! Argh!

I mean I'm very thankful that they both get along so well. But it would be really nice if they could actually make a decision about who is boss, lol.

 

[piggieminder]

I had a similar dilema with Spike and Peanut until I decided to just sort whichever one came to hand first, they don't seem to mind. On the whole with any dealings with humans Peanut lets Spike go first to test the water, but in the cage when it comes to the favoured water bottle, bed, lying spot or piece of hay then Peanut takes first pick. These two are just so evenly matched most of the time now the worst of the hormone spikes are over they rub along with just the odd grumble 'cause they're boars and thats what they are supposed to do

 

[Lorcan]

I had a similar dilema with Spike and Peanut until I decided to just sort whichever one came to hand first, they don't seem to mind. On the whole with any dealings with humans Peanut lets Spike go first to test the water, but in the cage when it comes to the favoured water bottle, bed, lying spot or piece of hay then Peanut takes first pick. These two are just so evenly matched most of the time now the worst of the hormone spikes are over they rub along with just the odd grumble 'cause they're boars and thats what they are supposed to do

Yeah, these two spent their time chasing each other round the cage earlier. Now Blitzen's passed out from exhaustion (it's clearly hard work being him) and Comet's got his head stuck in the pellet bowl. They share a pellet bowl too...but they properly share it. One has some pellets and wanders off, the other has some pellets then wanders off. Rinse and repeat.

At least Blitzen doesn't bury himself IN the hay and I only have to search the hay for one pig on a regular basis o.O

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

I've always thought it was a rule of thumb to feed the boss first, and follow the hierarchy down when it comes to dishing out food!

 

[Lorcan]

Which is why I'd like them to sort out a hierarchy! Having to feed both at once whilst entertaining, is dangerous for my fingers.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

I'm a big meanie, often I just throw it in all over the show and watch the chaos unfold

 

[Lorcan]

I've been conducting experiments with pepper slices recently. I'll give Comet a slice, and Blitzen will notice and come over to demand his. When they've finished, I'll give them a new slice each - but Comet's base of operations is usually further away than Blitzen's. This means nothing til I get distracted and turn round to two piggies literally climbing the bars of the cage because I'm starving them of their pepper.

I swear they help each other up the bars, too. Just what I need. The two of them using their brains, together.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Partners in crime!

 

[Kylie80]

I've always thought it was a rule of thumb to feed the boss first, and follow the hierarchy down when it comes to dishing out food!

I've heard this too but I feed whoever is closest first and Coco my dominant pig couldn't care less as long as she gets noms she doesn't care who gets fed first lol.