Territorial behaviour?

[DanL]

Over the last few days, Willow has taken to dominating the upper level of the hutch, particularly the bedroom hidey. The other three pigs generally stay on the lower level, but the two youngest do occasionally venture up. This usually ends very quickly and they are chased away. Nothing untoward, they simply don't seem to be welcome in the hidey.

I'm not overly concerned but have noticed Willow will no longer go down the ramp when veggies or food pellets/nuggets are put out (I've traditionally only put food bowls in the floor level). She gets as vocal as ever when she knows veggies are being placed in the hutch, but won't go down to eat them. She's perfectly able to go down, but chooses not to and misses out.

When placed in an outdoor run they all get along fine. It seems to me she simply doesn't want to relinquish territory on the upper level to the point where she will lose out on food.

I've added a food bowl up there this evening and she's tucked straight in, so she clearly wants it.

Is she simply holding her new favourite spot or is there something more afoot here?

For what it's worth, they will be moving into a much larger 2x6 C&C cage next week, so territory will change anyway. I'm just curious on this behaviour and wondering if I am reading it correctly.

 

[Piggies&buns]

It is normal for the dominant piggy to have the pick of hides but this can be the issue with a double level hutch - one claiming the upper area.
We obviously are already seeing it through your own view and you may well be right - she is being territorial but you would want to look at whether she is isolating herself?

 

[Swissgreys]

I would also think about popping her along to the vet for a check up.
She may have some underlying health issue like arthritis which means going down the ramp is possible but painful and she is being grumpy with the others because she is in pain.

 

[DanL]

Thank you both for your responses. She was downstairs and two other pigs were upstairs yesterday morning, this morning she's upstairs with one of the others.

I think I was probably worrying unnecessarily. She certainly seems fine in herself and not inhibited in movement judging from the amount of playing. They are fascinating animals to get to know, I just need to reign in my constant worrying!

 

[Free Ranger]

I think your observation skills are spot-on. How many people would have noticed that shift in behaviour, pondered the reasons for it, and then followed it up? It will be interesting to see what happens in the new territory!

 

[alpacasqueak]

They are fascinating animals to get to know, I just need to reign in my constant worrying!

Glad she’s up and down with her buddies now. Hope they’re all still getting along really well, sounds it!
I’ve kept piglets for over a decade and I still worry all the time about them! It shows you care about your lovely girlies