Should i be worried?

[Niki]

Here i am again!
I'll be known as the person with the "problem pigs" lol
Since making the W's & H's hutches 10ft long Huxley pig has started to bully poor Hamish. Tuesday night they went into their new home and Huxley was chattering his teeth but i thought nothing of it, yesterday all seemed fine, the pair of 'them were happily sharing dandy leaves and both seemed happy.
Today i gave them their bowl of veg (all my piggies have shared a veg bowl with no probs) and wondered why Hamish wasn't about. When he did come out of his bed to eat he was chased away by Huxley, he retreated into one of the pigloos but Huxley carried on nudging his head into it after him.
I took Hamish out, prepared another bowl of veg and put it near to the bed he was in and shoved the other veg bowl to the other end of the hutch for Huxley.
All was well until Huxley decided to go to the other bowl, Hamish took flight and ran into the pigloo and that's where he stayed.
There's no fighting, Hamish is a lover not a fighter and i know it's probably Huxley reinstating his position but i don't want him intimidating Hamish into not eating.
Do you think, given time, they will sort it out between themselves and Hamish will be ok?
After all my OH has done to the hutches it would be a great shame to separate them
Niki x

 

[kellyandpiggies]

Sometimes Tonic and Guinea do this, often Tonic being the 'bully' and other times, Guinea.

They have a bowl each and what I do is put a bowl at either end of their hutch so they have time themselves and get to eat in peace.
It works most times, and others not. They have a little niggle then go their opposite ends!

In time I am sure that they will calm down. Maybe they just need to get into their own routines of doing things?

 

[Niki]

I hope so Kelly, they were fine when the hutch was 2 storey, they both used to come down the ladder to share the veg bowl (they've always had 2 dry food bowls) i'll keep an eye on things...again : - at this rate i'll be having eyes transplanted onto different bits of me to watch 'them all What a great week this is turning out to be! :-X

 

[kellyandpiggies]

LOL they just need to get used to it, I'm sure they'll be fine.

 

[starshine]

I would be watching them very closely Niki. Well done for noticing it - so many people wouldn't!

Hopefully they have just been unsettled by the cage change but do be a bit guarded for now. Sadly I know of more than one pig that has been 'bullied' into illness by not getting enough food etc.

I would carry on with 2 bowls etc for now but if Hamish carries on looking scared and intimidated you may want to think about splitting them as piggies can get very depressed in situations like this.

 

[Niki]

Hi Kate,
That's exactly how Hamish did look, depressed, hiding away in the different pigloos or the bed. I brought him in (it was grease gland cleaning day) and he had a few dandy leaves while he dried off, which made me feel better-at least i know he still has an appetite & isn't ill.
Thankfully there were no problems when they were re-introduced but i def will be keeping a close watch!

 

[starshine]

Glad things are better today!

 

[Barmy4boars]

You could always try giving 2 bowls and using a hidey house to partially partition the cage (like in the middle) so they can keep out of each others sight if needs be. That way if Huxley sends Hamish packing from one bowl he can just go to the other and doesnt miss out. With it being a new cage it is proably just the new territory thing... or the sound and smell of new piggys perhaps? Sure you will be keeping an eye on them... hoping its something and nothing

 

[Niki]

I think things are getting back to normal, gave them veg each today (in separate bowls) and both stayed at their own ends, then swapped. Hamish wasn't hiding away all day today either and tonight when i gave them each some dandelion leaves, Huxley tried to steal Hamish's but he stood his ground, threw his head in the air and carried on munching - Huxley got the message and went to get his own