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Post by bazookagoof on Jul 6, 2015 2:23:02 GMT
(I didn't see a thread like this, but I only searched about 12 pages.) I thought I would create a thread where we just post some random observation about our piggies; I have one so far: It's incredibly gratifying when you clean out a cage, put the cavy back and they purr loudly when they've returned to their home- I like to think this is their way of saying, "Thank you!"
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 6, 2015 15:35:21 GMT
I totally agree Mine check out every square inch, popcorn, and purr, then demand treats for all the work they had to help me do I could clean their condo much faster, if I didn't have to stop and play with them regularly
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jul 6, 2015 17:44:04 GMT
Ours tend to complain because they have been picked up but they do inspect everything once they have gone back in and soon start chomping on the new hay. Hugs JO xx
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Post by bazookagoof on Jul 7, 2015 1:40:04 GMT
Deo has been mostly quiet, but as the past few days he started wheeking. Now, Oscar's got quite a range of various wheeks, but so far Deo just sounds like a high-pitched cartoon sound of a drop of water hitting the sink. It's funny; I never realized how different guinea pigs can sound. This is probably a bad example, but to me a cat's meow doesn't sound any different than another cat's meow. But, with these two I can tell them apart. My favorite part of my time with them is when they both know treats are coming, and start wheeking. It's a nice stereo effect.
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 7, 2015 14:45:30 GMT
I hear a lot of differences in cats meows, and I've had the wonderful opportunity of having a talking pig, one who used all sorts of sounds and movements, run together, to make his point. It totally changed how I listened to guinea pigs, and it made me realize that their sounds and motions go together in a very complex language. I've had very quiet pigs, very loud pigs, very vocal pigs and very silent pigs. Listen and watch. You'll learn a lot about them I've also found that pigs have jobs. Whatever a pigs strength or interest is tends to be its job. I've had explorer pigs who paved the way for the rest to follow around the house, and out of their safety zonese. I've had the callers, the pigs with the loud, clear voices, who alerted me to their lack of food or water, or to an intruder, such as when we cat sat a friends cats, and he was a bit too interested in the pigs for their satisfaction. He never actually bothered them, and the loud voice of my Harlequin seemed to warn the cat to stay at a safe distance. So it may also be a battle voice, warning predators away? Everyone else stayed quiet, while Harlequin told off the cat.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jul 7, 2015 18:42:46 GMT
What a wonderful post Piggles and I will listen more closely in future. Ours only tend to talk when they are having a matrimonial or screaming for food, otherwise they are quite quiet little piggies. I would love to listen to yours; I agree with you, there is indeed a language there both vocal and physical.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 9, 2015 15:59:51 GMT
Lol, Jo, I don't think I've ever had a quiet pig, not one who didn't at least use body language to have conversations. Maybe someday I'll record a conversation, and figure out how to post it
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jul 9, 2015 18:58:51 GMT
Piggless love, if we had time and money, it maybe worth seriously investigating. I am sure there is a language there and it would be wonderful to know more about it. We may even get to know what they really think of us LOL!!
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 10, 2015 20:52:43 GMT
I totally agree, Jo. There are many sites with the sounds recorded, so they can be identified. Zippy used to run all different sounds together, mix it with sighs, flopping this way or that, lifting his head or plopping it down. He literally spoke in sentences. I felt so incredibly lucky to have a pig talk to me that way, but I haven't had one talk that way since. I really do hope to again. I knew exactly what he was talking about, and I've never communicated with an animal to that extent, before.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jul 11, 2015 18:38:24 GMT
Oh Piggles darling, what a wonderful experience and it would be awesome if you did get another one who talked to you as Zippy did. Wow, I am so impressed. I am trying to visualise him communicating with you using body language too as you describe.
Hugs Jo xxx
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 11, 2015 20:40:25 GMT
Try envisioning him lying on his back half off my shoulder, while carrying on a conversation, lol! The people at the vets were always amazed that he didn't fall off Never sat anywhere else except my left shoulder. No idea why.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jul 13, 2015 18:46:48 GMT
That I would love to have seen, him sitting there chatting into your ear.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 14, 2015 20:23:23 GMT
I think I mentioned herd members having jobs, in a different thread. It's been my observation that, except for wheeking for treats, different pigs have different tasks within the herd. I figure it's about their strengths, such as the one with the loudest voice being the lookout/alarm pig, the one with the most curiosity being the explorer pig, etc. Has anyone else noticed pigs having certain jobs within their herds?
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Post by bazookagoof on Jul 15, 2015 2:38:36 GMT
I think I mentioned herd members having jobs, in a different thread. It's been my observation that, except for wheeking for treats, different pigs have different tasks within the herd. I figure it's about their strengths, such as the one with the loudest voice being the lookout/alarm pig, the one with the most curiosity being the explorer pig, etc. Has anyone else noticed pigs having certain jobs within their herds? I'm still learning about them, so I haven't figured out what those two guys of mine (my daughter's) do yet! My daughter has commented that Oscar smells so bad, yet she can't stop sniffing him. Truthfully, he doesn't really smell bad- I think she just needs to clean out his cage more often!
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 15, 2015 21:41:39 GMT
What type of bedding are you using in the cage, or is your daughter using? I have found some beddings start to smell more quickly than others. I use a combination of beddings, and haven't had an odor problem since I started using this combination.
Also, if Oscar is marking his territory, and she picks him up right afterward, he could smell of marking scent. It goes away, but at first smell, it seems rather potent.
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Post by bazookagoof on Jul 16, 2015 2:52:31 GMT
What type of bedding are you using in the cage, or is your daughter using? I have found some beddings start to smell more quickly than others. I use a combination of beddings, and haven't had an odor problem since I started using this combination. Also, if Oscar is marking his territory, and she picks him up right afterward, he could smell of marking scent. It goes away, but at first smell, it seems rather potent. The brand is Kaytee, "Clean & Cozy" - the birthday cake style. So far, it soaks up odors pretty well. I should mention that Oscar doesn't drink too much water, while Deo is one thirsty guinea pig! Therefore, his cage tends to smell sooner from all the urine.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jul 16, 2015 18:15:48 GMT
What an adorable photo love, thank you for sharing it with us. I love little patchwork piggies.
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 16, 2015 18:54:42 GMT
I don't know that brand, but if it's like Carefresh, it should do the job. It needs to be used in quantity, usually a few inches deep.
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Post by bazookagoof on Jul 21, 2015 2:21:42 GMT
I just threw this together because sometimes Deo seems so serious, as compared to Oscar, who's hyperactive and has more of a "bouncing off the walls" sort of personality:
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jul 21, 2015 18:07:38 GMT
That is brilliant love, thanks for sharing.
Hugs JO xx
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