Top Pig Or Underlying Problem?

[Tinkoz]

our peaches was a very cuddly pig but after losing her sister Apple (the top pig) she has now become the top pig herself with her new cage mate and no longer likes cuddles is this just because she is the top pig and wants to be back with her cage mate to keep control or could there be some other underlying issues we should be looking for?

any help or your own experiences would be gratefully received.

 

[Wiebke]

our peaches was a very cuddly pig but after losing her sister Apple (the top pig) she has now become the top pig herself with her new cage mate and no longer likes cuddles is this just because she is the top pig and wants to be back with her cage mate to keep control or could there be some other underlying issues we should be looking for?

any help or your own experiences would be gratefully received.

No, it is the companionship issue. Peaches is now a piggy of consequence as the leader of her own group. I see this regularly with piggies of mine.

While you may lose out on some cuddles, you win in knowing that you have a happy, confident piggy that is living their own instincts to the full. things will settle down again somewhat over time as she becomes more secure in her position and therefore more relaxed about it.

 

[gizzy]

l have experanced this a few times , l would discribe it as greaf for want of a better word,
l would not have though it possibal until i first whitnesed it many years ago

two boars , one died (old age) , the other , a relertivly yong bor whent into a rappid decline,

he was so sudued , and vet could find no reason for this decline

l then interjuced a new boar ( in a devided cage ) and he picked up within a few minites
for this is 1 of the reasons l keep all my pigs in groups of 3

 

[Adelle]

I would say its just the pack positions shifting.. My ginger sow is a big girl and is dominant of my other sow of similar age and my 8 month old baby sow. But when she isnt there (sometimes seperated due to ongoing illness) my baby sow dominates my 5 year old other sow. Its just them sorting themselves out. If shes not dominating the other pig too much and making her unhappy then i wouldnt worry x

 

[Flutterby]

I've had this too, with having 10 girls. Quite regularly hormones flare and some make a bid for top dog. I've also had the top sow pass away, leaving her group to sort out their pecking order.

 

[BonBon2010]

When BonBon lost Treacle and Humbug just weeks apart, she changed completely, from a laid back piggy to a boss pig, which she clearly didn't want to be. Truffles took over as soon as she was big enough, making BonBon second in command. She went into a gradual decline despite the company, and atm, we're still in the progress of bringing her round. She's currently rallying

 

[Tinkoz]

Thank you all I thought it was just her moving up the pack that caused the chance but wanted to double cheek thank you all for putting our minds at rest