Fighting?

[Lunar_and_winnie_piggies]

Hi there!
Yesterday I took my piggies in for a cuddle, but when left alone together in their 'special house toys' (the laundry bin, blankets etc...), they squeak a lot, tumble around, and make a weird sort of crunching noise with their teeth. I can't tell if they're playing around or actually full on fighting each other, because it is definitely one of the two.
They never do it in the hutch, only when they're inside and/or in small enclosed spaces.
Is it just harmless, is it because they're stressed out about being indoors?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m afraid we couldn’t say with any certainty what they may be doing but if they didn’t like each other enough that they were having a full on fight, then you would probably see other signs, such as injuries or problems at other times.
A full on fight is usually because of a breakdown in their relationship so you most likely see signs. However full on fights are much less common in sows (but they do happen) and they can be more subtle about bullying rather than having a full fight.

Its best to ensure they aren’t in enclosed spaces (always ensure there is another way out of any hide) as this is where problems can occur.

Please do note though that if your piggies live in an outside hutch, then they should not really be brought into a house at this time of year unless you can make sure the room they are coming into is the same temperature as outside. The temperature difference from inside to outside and back again is too much of a fluctuation at this time of year and can make them poorly.

 

[dhill_cb7]

The teeth sound might be teeth chattering. More of an annoyance dominance behavior. As said above make sure your hides have two or more exits.

Without a video we cannot really pinpoint exactly is going on with them.

 

[Lunar_and_winnie_piggies]

I’m afraid we couldn’t say with any certainty what they may be doing but if they didn’t like each other enough that they were having a full on fight, then you would probably see other signs, such as injuries or problems at other times.
A full on fight is usually because of a breakdown in their relationship so you most likely see signs. However full on fights are much less common in sows (but they do happen) and they can be more subtle about bullying rather than having a full fight.

Its best to ensure they aren’t in enclosed spaces (always ensure there is another way out of any hide) as this is where problems can occur.

Please do note though that if your piggies live in an outside hutch, then they should not really be brought into a house at this time of year unless you can make sure the room they are coming into is the same temperature as outside. The temperature difference from inside to outside and back again is too much of a fluctuation at this time of year and can make them poorly.

Oh right, the enclosed spaces and differences in temperature are probably stressing them out. Thanks!

 

[Lunar_and_winnie_piggies]

The teeth sound might be teeth chattering. More of an annoyance dominance behavior. As said above make sure your hides have two or more exits.

Without a video we cannot really pinpoint exactly is going on with them.

it didn't sound too severe, they weren't screeching and there are no injuries, it may well just be because of the temperature and enclosed spaces, so I will keep that in mind for next time