How do piggies show submission?

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susie_q

susie_q

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I've been fostering three baby pigs, and I'm making a huge mistake and am thinking of keeping one. (All boars) So today I decided to see which one of the three my big lads would take too.

Now, Patches is about five, Squeaky is about 2, and the babies are 10 weeks.

So, on the couch in neutral territory they all met. There was lots of wheeking, and running around and sniffing each other's bums, and the babies, bold as brass, were even stealing food out of the big boy's mouths!

There was also lots of head raising, and wheeking, and shoving under each other's bums.

No real traditional "shows" of domience, I'm assuming this is because the babies are so young and not a threat? But it got me thinking, how would they show dominence? As it is, I'm not even sure who is boss out of Patches and Squeaky! I like to say Patches, but I'm sure Squeaky bosses Patches about as much as Patches does Squeaky!

(/long winded question)
 
well,when the one has it's head held high and another has its head lower down and looks like their sniffing the others chin/throat, the one with the lower head is the less dominant
 
Thats a really interesting question! When my two got to about 2 and a half months old they really started scrapping with each other over (presumably) the piggy hierachy. There was much strutting and grumbling around each other and I thought that the larger piggy (Iggle) was the boss because she would drive Piggle away from the food or kick her out of the sleeping quarters. However it is ALWAYS Piggle that goes out first down the ramp and Iggle ALWAYS follows whatever Piggle does and wherever she goes, she is very timid where as Piggle will come and squeek and look for the treat you are offering, Iggle hangs back until she sees that Piggle has got a treat and THEN she will come and get her treat. I find it very difficult to draw the line between piggy personality and piggy hierarchy position! I will be introducing a new piggy to the group soon so that should be fun!
 
igglepiggle said:
Thats a really interesting question! When my two got to about 2 and a half months old they really started scrapping with each other over (presumably) the piggy hierachy. There was much strutting and grumbling around each other and I thought that the larger piggy (Iggle) was the boss because she would drive Piggle away from the food or kick her out of the sleeping quarters. However it is ALWAYS Piggle that goes out first down the ramp and Iggle ALWAYS follows whatever Piggle does and wherever she goes, she is very timid where as Piggle will come and squeek and look for the treat you are offering, Iggle hangs back until she sees that Piggle has got a treat and THEN she will come and get her treat. I find it very difficult to draw the line between piggy personality and piggy hierarchy position! I will be introducing a new piggy to the group soon so that should be fun!
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its funny, ruby follows everything pheobe does, pheobe is the more extrovert one she lets you stroke her at any occassion. BUT ruby is actually the dominant one. she says where she sleeps, pheobe isn't allowed in either house and has to lie outside! (just aswell they're indoor piggies) ruby's quieter, but she does pipe up sometimes then pheobe shuts up! well,that was when they were just a twosome. now they're a foursome with bethany and maggie-may and the hierarchy seems to change hourly. silly piggies
 
It must be very complicated in guinea pig world! I think its the best thing about keeping piggies, all the little differences between them, the fallings out and friendships and getting to know their personalities.xoxox) I would love to have a big heard all living together in a sort of big guinea pig 'aviery'!
 
igglepiggle said:
I find it very difficult to draw the line between piggy personality and piggy hierarchy position! I will be introducing a new piggy to the group soon so that should be fun!
Click to expand...

I have the same issue! My boys are both terribly shy and will play musical igloos, all the time! I think maybe with some piggies, it's just difficult to tell?

And yes, a wee third girlie will stir things up a bit! Are lady guineas like lady rats? In that in a threesome the heirarchy is easier to establish than in a twosome?
 
I have no idea! I sort of think it will add a nice dynamic to the group, having a third one, I can not wait to see what what they think!
 
i had two bonded pairs,then put the pairs together. now when pheobe wants piggy attention and ruby isn't eager to oblige, she goes to bethany. maggie-may totally adores ruby,and ruby adores her! its lovely having them as a foursome,they're so much happier and there are less squabbles!
 
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