Small pig does a breathy shriek in other pig's face when they annoy her (Vet says she's physically okay and it's behavioural)

[kh12490172490]

Does anyone else's pig do this? I adopted a herd of 4 girls who I assume are all related due to their similar colourings and coats - one senior, two adults, and one small pig that might be a juvenile or might just be petite.

The other pigs are normal amounts of piggy bratty. When someone intrudes on their space, they will fake-nip to tell the other pig to back off. My little girl just does this breathy shriek several times in their faces when they bother her though.

I assume this is because she is far smaller than them and can't physically stand up to them much.

I used to be worried that she was afraid, because it is a scared-pig sound... but she flops back down and gets cozy immediately after being pestered because the shrieking actually makes them back off lol. I assume this is why she continues to do it.

Her wheek is a little breathy too. I wonder if she just has odd vocal cords that effect her voice a bit. Her vet says she is totally okay physically, and that the shrieking is completely behavioural.

I've never heard of this behaviour. It's a little annoying, but I love my sassy pants pig all the same.

(Their cage is huge, 100 inches by 40 inches, they have lots hideys and all of them have multiple exits, cage stays clean, multiple water bottles, tons of hay, varied and plentiful veggies)

Does anyone else's pig do this? Any insight is appreciated!

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s hard to tell from a written description, but it sounds as if it may be submissive squealing - this is entirely normal and is the under pig’s way of saying ‘i am no threat to you’. The nip the others do is a harmless gesture of power.

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

 

[Wiebke]

 

[kh12490172490]

It’s hard to tell from a written description, but it sounds as if it may be submissive squealing - this is entirely normal and is the under pig’s way of saying ‘i am no threat to you’. The nip the others do is a harmless gesture of power.

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

Ohh you know that makes sense that it's a sign of submission, which makes them back off with their dominance displays. They usually back off quick too.

I mistook it as an adapted dominance display originally, but it really isn't. I thought they only squealed when they were in pain, but knowing that it happens at other times too clarifies things. Thank you, that really satisfies my curiosity!