Piggy Fan
New Born Pup
Hi guys,
My boys will have been with us for 4 weeks this Wednesday. They are settling in really well, feeding from my hand happily and less freaked on the odd time I pick them up in the cuddle pouch for their weekly weigh in and check over. They greet me with great excitement and lots of zoomies and popcorning, especially in the mornings and especially Bubble T who is a hilarious little character.
When I got them the lady at the rescue told us they were a Torton white (Mochi), about 9 weeks old and a Cream Abyssinian Cross (Bubble T), about 7 weeks. She said Bubble T would be dominant due to character and breed.
I thought I had read everything I needed to in advance but now realise a properly bonded more mature pair of boys would have been “safer” as I missed the board and bonding info.
They said, they seem to be ok so far (I know it’s early days for hormones). They have plenty of space - a 5x2 C&C cage and ramp up to a 1x2 upper floor which they both use. I have a house on both levels and also food, water and hay on both level. The houses have two entrances so no risk of being cornered.
Mostly they seem fine but I have noticed this past week or so a couple of face to face stand offs, and today some fairly loud teeth chattering and bottom waggling by Motchi. He is of course slightly older so I’m guessing his hormones are on the up. I can’t yet work out who is dominant, thankfully so far the teeth chattering is the highest level it’s got to. They steal veggies off each other, usually fairly amicably, and so far one or other always backs down when it’s getting a bit aggressive. Much of the time they seem very happy together.
One question I have is what do I do about picking up the dominant male first etc if I’m unsure which one that is? I think based on recent behaviour Motchi is acting more dominant BUT this contradicts with what the rescue told me. Also Bubble T is much braver - first to come to me for food, first into the snuggle sack when I pop it in the cage so in that respect he seems like he will end up being the boss / brave one / leader.
We love them both so much and as 1 piggy belongs (in theory) to each daughter (both mine really shhhh) I am praying they get through adolescence OK and are amongst that 90% who bond successfully.
If I see them getting angsty can I try to distract them with food etc? I know not to put my hand between them if fighting but presume if I can avoid them getting to the fighting stage that’s even better?
Is there anything else I can do to help them?
I’m so cross with myself for not reading up on sows versus boars etc beforehand & falling into the “cute baby” trap. But they are so lovely if I’m honest I would still do it again now even knowing what I do. It’s just I now have a year of anxiety until I know they are ok!
I am officially a GP addict, but don’t have room for another cage (yet)!
Amanda
My boys will have been with us for 4 weeks this Wednesday. They are settling in really well, feeding from my hand happily and less freaked on the odd time I pick them up in the cuddle pouch for their weekly weigh in and check over. They greet me with great excitement and lots of zoomies and popcorning, especially in the mornings and especially Bubble T who is a hilarious little character.
When I got them the lady at the rescue told us they were a Torton white (Mochi), about 9 weeks old and a Cream Abyssinian Cross (Bubble T), about 7 weeks. She said Bubble T would be dominant due to character and breed.
I thought I had read everything I needed to in advance but now realise a properly bonded more mature pair of boys would have been “safer” as I missed the board and bonding info.
They said, they seem to be ok so far (I know it’s early days for hormones). They have plenty of space - a 5x2 C&C cage and ramp up to a 1x2 upper floor which they both use. I have a house on both levels and also food, water and hay on both level. The houses have two entrances so no risk of being cornered.
Mostly they seem fine but I have noticed this past week or so a couple of face to face stand offs, and today some fairly loud teeth chattering and bottom waggling by Motchi. He is of course slightly older so I’m guessing his hormones are on the up. I can’t yet work out who is dominant, thankfully so far the teeth chattering is the highest level it’s got to. They steal veggies off each other, usually fairly amicably, and so far one or other always backs down when it’s getting a bit aggressive. Much of the time they seem very happy together.
One question I have is what do I do about picking up the dominant male first etc if I’m unsure which one that is? I think based on recent behaviour Motchi is acting more dominant BUT this contradicts with what the rescue told me. Also Bubble T is much braver - first to come to me for food, first into the snuggle sack when I pop it in the cage so in that respect he seems like he will end up being the boss / brave one / leader.
We love them both so much and as 1 piggy belongs (in theory) to each daughter (both mine really shhhh) I am praying they get through adolescence OK and are amongst that 90% who bond successfully.
If I see them getting angsty can I try to distract them with food etc? I know not to put my hand between them if fighting but presume if I can avoid them getting to the fighting stage that’s even better?
Is there anything else I can do to help them?
I’m so cross with myself for not reading up on sows versus boars etc beforehand & falling into the “cute baby” trap. But they are so lovely if I’m honest I would still do it again now even knowing what I do. It’s just I now have a year of anxiety until I know they are ok!
I am officially a GP addict, but don’t have room for another cage (yet)!
Amanda
