Is This "popcorning"?

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Beans&Toast

Beans&Toast

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But of a silly question...

So I know when piggies are happy they can popcorn, but what my piggies do seems a bit different to what I've read popcorning is...

When they're having their mad half hour, they don't "jump" as such, they will speed in one direction then suddenly change and head in a different direction. Or they'll run laps around my (piggy proofed) bedroom as fast as they can then change direction..

Is this still popcorning?
 
AlbiePercy said:
I would call that "zoomies". Popcorning is the little bounces of happiness they do.
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Is it the same idea though? They don't bounce as such, well, their little bums go up somewhat when they're running and changing direction, but they're about 3-4 now so I'm not sure they can quite bounce like they used to :p
 
Claire W said:
It sounds to me like you have two very happy piggies :)
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Good :) I just wanted to be sure that it was a happy move and not something they're doing out of frustration or something.

They have a 6x2 c and c cage and during the day the cage is left open at one end and they have the full use of my piggy proofed room so they have a lot of running space, and they certainly use it!
 
My two are about 16 months and they don't leap in the air like they used to, it's more shoulder shrugs these days :)
 
Beans&Toast said:
But of a silly question...

So I know when piggies are happy they can popcorn, but what my piggies do seems a bit different to what I've read popcorning is...

When they're having their mad half hour, they don't "jump" as such, they will speed in one direction then suddenly change and head in a different direction. Or they'll run laps around my (piggy proofed) bedroom as fast as they can then change direction..

Is this still popcorning?
Click to expand...

This is what we often call "zoomies"; they can also end up with playing "dodgems" by deliberately crashing into a companion. ;) Piggies of all ages can do it (my Mali continued to do it with arthritis and full cataracts until two days before she passed away somewhere around her 8th birthday waddling in a loop with her nose stuck to her scent spoor; she loved working our new loops!), but it is typical for youngsters.
"Popcorning" is more specifically the sudden jumps etc.
 
Wiebke said:
This is what we often call "zoomies"; they can also end up with playing "dodgems" by deliberately crashing into a companion. ;)
"Popcorning" is more specifically the sudden jumps etc.
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Yes this is exactly what my two do! Run into each other then run away then back into each other. They seem to be enjoying it :nod:
 
Claire W said:
Don't worry. My Emma who's nearly four does the exact same thing up and down the hallway where as Ellen who's nearly one does full on popcorns :)
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Thanks, just wanted to make sure it was normal and they werent unhappy . Sometimes it looks like they're trying to popcorn but can't quite do it anymore :P
 
It's not popcorning, but they still sound happy! My younger pigs would always do laps... like they just have a lot of energy that they need to burn off! My youngest right now turned 1 in October and now runs laps less frequently, but she still dashes around like a maniac some evenings!
 
I just extended my cage to a really large on they could also run in to an extra 3 grids long with another upper level and they do the "zoomies" while popcorning at least once a day. I read its not only a sign of happiness but they do this to let out bursts of energy. Its basically great exercise! So fun to watch!
 
Sorry to go off topic, but the word zoomies makes me smile,

lts hard to imagin some my old time zooming around the pig room floor lol
 
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