Top Piggy Goes First?

[TheCavySlave]

Not totally sure where to put this, but anyway- I've heard that the dominant pig should be handled and fed first, why? Because although Duncan rumbles a lot, Godfrey is happy to stand his ground. And I've not really bothered about who I handle and feed first, is this bad?

 

[Wiebke]

Not totally sure where to put this, but anyway- I've heard that the dominant pig should be handled and fed first, why? Because although Duncan rumbles a lot, Godfrey is happy to stand his ground. And I've not really bothered about who I handle and feed first, is this bad?

By addressing the top piggy first, you are following guinea pig protocol - it is their right and privilege in return for taking the responsibility of leading the group and its long term survival.

In many pairings or groups this doesn't matter, but it can make a real difference during the dominance phase of bonding, with teenage boars or very hormonal/dominant sows. By observing the order of things, you are not putting any additional stress under an already tenuous or strained bond, especially when there is trouble whenever the submissive piggy is out or is being put back. You usually know from the dominance behaviour during and after an absence if there is an issue.

 

[TheCavySlave]

Oh, good! They really don't seem to care, if a piggy's been having cuddles and is put back, his brother will just have a sniff and toddle off.

 

[Guineapigfeet]

First pig to get to my fingers gets the food first in my cage! But I'm lucky to have a very stable and inclusive trio of sisters who don't bicker if they get food in the 'wrong' order. To be honest I'm not 100% sure who is top pig. It's either BB or Chewie, but it's all too subtle for me!