Unequal appetites

[jude29]

My girls have unequal appetites. Shirley literally eats like pig - head stuck in until everything is gone whereas Willow is more of a grazer - eating some, running round some and then going back for more - except sometimes there is nothing left because Shirley has eaten it all. Shirley is 3mths and and Willow 5mths so I guess Shirley could have a bigger appetite because she's younger. However, Shirley is much bigger than Willow despite being younger. Shirley weighs 884gms and Willow 717gms. They are completely different shapes - Shirley being short and round and Willow being long and slender. Despite eating less, Willow seems perfectly happy and I have seen her nudge Shirley out of the way to get at food, so it's not like she can't command her fair share. However, I worry that Willow might sometimes go back for more, but there'll be none left because Shirley has already eaten it all. I've tried giving them their veggies in separate bowls, but Shirley will eat all hers and then if Willow walks away she'll also tuck into anything that Willow has left. Am I worrying needlessly and should I just accept that like humans, piggies have different sized appetites?
Jude

 

[Briony_S]

Maybe keep an eye on their weight - weigh them once a week for a month or so and see if they are putting on weight - if they are then theirs probably no need to worry so long as they are both getting some veg and an unlimited supply of hay they should be fine.

If the weights do start to concern you it may be worth separating them at feeding times so they both get their share but I would monitor them first as the other one could just not be hungry!

 

[fritsthegirl]

If you can, give them another fresh veg snack before bed, just reserve a bit of the dinner portion so that the little one gets another chance to have a nibble later on. It could be that she just has a smaller stomach and doesn't like to eat too much in one session. She would welcome another snack before going to bed, as I'm sure would the other! I have had the same with my two guineas, one was very portly the other a little sprite. I am sure yours are perfectly OK, keep an eye on their weight, but as long as they have some dry food and plenty of hay to keep them going in between fresh food they should be fine.

 

[redd1800]

as long as their weights remain healthy I wouldn't worry too much.

you could try hand feeding. it would be a more accurate way of seeing just how much fresh food the quieter piggy is eating

 

[piggyme234]

I have two groups and I give them about them same but the younger group munches through their veg in 2 mins then ask for more while the older group hardly ever finishes what I give them, that's just how they are. Perhaps if you are worried that Willow isn't able to snack as her friend has eaten all the food you could give their food out over a longer period of time, some now, some later.