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Post by bazookagoof on Apr 4, 2016 1:44:00 GMT
It was almost 70 degrees out today, so I brought out the piggies for some grazing!
Oscar immediately found a spot in a box and grazed away. Theodore was baffled by his surroundings, and opted to stay in his pigloo and occasionally munch a blade of grass. If he wanted to explore, he would push his pigloo around the fenced-in area.
They managed to ignore each other, which surprised me- but I didn't want to push the issue by putting them together. I figured there would be plenty of time later this year, so I just let things be.
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Post by Bean on Apr 4, 2016 9:41:28 GMT
Oh it's great to be able to start the grassy grazing - mine love it, it's like a day trip for them and they come home content, full bellied (for at least 10 minutes anyway...) and tired out.
Sounds like a good call just having the boys side by side for now too.
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Post by 3piggles on Apr 4, 2016 13:33:57 GMT
Ooh, glad they got to get outside, have a change of scenery and get some fresh treats Piglooing, which is what I call taking the pigloo with them where ever they go, seems to be part of certain pigs personalities, but not all. Just as some flip pigloos but others don't. We have one pigloo with the entry cut off, and a back door cut in. Zippy used to carry that pigloo around the cage. He'd raise himself up as high as his legs would go, so the entry rested on his shoulders, then he'd take it with him. Dallas was a piglooer. He spent hours moving the pigloo around the cage. Part of it is to keep them busy and not bored. Some is because it's fun. Some pigs don't really like to be overly exposed (by their assessment), so they take their protection with them. I'm sure there are lots of other reasons, too I hope he gets used to the grass, and starts to enjoy his outings more
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Post by jolovespiggies on Apr 4, 2016 19:58:06 GMT
Mine have been having squabbles, not letting each other in and out of the pigloos has been a real issue today. For once, Lacy didn't win and Merley stood his ground LOL!!
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Apr 5, 2016 14:16:51 GMT
Sounds like a change in the herd dynamic, Jo. Merlin has finally decided he's had enough of her bullying, and has stood his ground. She will probably back off a bit, as he's established a boundary to what he'll tolerate. Hopefully it will sort itself out, and they will get back to a good relationship. Merlin may just stop being so afraid of his shadow, too
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Post by jolovespiggies on Apr 5, 2016 19:45:30 GMT
I think you are right Piggles love, she used to dominate Mr Darcy but I think Merley is less tolerant. Also you should see her face when he answers her back, it is utter amazement and very funny. I too wish he would stop being so nervous.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Apr 6, 2016 13:09:35 GMT
Now that he's asserting himself with her, he may relax a lot more, in general. All pigs take different amounts of time to adjust to new surroundings, and to new cage mates. Hopefully, he's found his safety zone. Mia was a totally different pig after tossing Momo over the side and asserting her dominance. Merly may be, too
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Post by jolovespiggies on Apr 6, 2016 19:55:53 GMT
I do hope so Piggles love. The trouble is their pen is on the floor, it is not elevated and I cannot get down to pick them up and pet them, I have to reply on Paul to pick up a piggy and he is usually not here. I will keep you posted.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by bazookagoof on Apr 17, 2016 4:21:49 GMT
Was able to get the boys out for an official grazing day- it went fairly well! Oscar grazed confidently, while Theodore snuggled up near Oscar and timidly chewed an occasional blade of grass. I was surprised they didn't immediately fight (that came later) but we kept them out for a full hour, as the temperatures were wonderful! Near the end, they starting chattering and trying to mount each other. Oscar, who had to bend to Deo's will, decided that HE was going to be boss pig and knocked Theodore over on his butt twice. I let them duke it out so they could get it over with. No blood was drawn, and I think they'll settle down. I hope they'll be grazing buddies, but it's too early to break out the champagne just yet.
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Post by 3piggles on Apr 17, 2016 19:42:38 GMT
It's hard when they don't normally share a living space. Each time you take them out to graze, it starts all over again. If Oscar is going to be definite, though, I think it will get settled quickly, and hopefully without bloodshed
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Post by jolovespiggies on Apr 17, 2016 21:27:53 GMT
Oh poor Theo, well and truly put in his place bless him. When you realise that there is no serious fighting there comes a time when you have to let them work it out for themselves, everything crossed that it going to be OK love. Hugs JO xx
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Post by bazookagoof on Apr 18, 2016 0:21:25 GMT
I brought them out again for grazing, and it's basically going well. True, there is a small amount of domineering attempted, but they either graze side-by-side or find their own isolated spots. Oscar likes to do his own thing, and Theodore is following him around. It seems like Theodore wants to negotiate the title of Boss Pig and occasionally tries to mount Oscar, who keeps knocking him on his butt. Apparently Oscar has learned some nasty guinea-pig martial arts moves from Deo, and employs them with gusto! (This is made all the more hilarious because Theodore never changes his expression.)
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Post by Bean on Apr 18, 2016 9:49:31 GMT
Sounds like a pretty decent start - grass is an excellent distraction! But the fact that despite some shows of dominance, they can have periods of forgetting the other one is there (especially given they've had an unsuccessful interaction before) is really good.
And just the sheer fact that the weather is good enough for them to go out and graze is brilliant! Our weather is up and down so we're not quite into regular jaunts outside yet, but they're getting to go out every few days and love it.
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Post by 3piggles on Apr 18, 2016 11:59:38 GMT
I'd love to see his martial arts moves, lol That sounds so cute It's all totally normal. It would be the same way if they shared a cage, and you took one out to clip his nails. They do use every possible chance to change the hierarchy. Works sometimes. Doesn't work others. Sounds as if Oscar has some great moves to make his point without causing any damage to Theodore
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Post by jolovespiggies on Apr 18, 2016 20:35:20 GMT
Ha ha Baz love, that is a great post. It seems that there is a lot of "putting in their place" around at the moment. I like my own space sometimes so I can understand Oscar wanting to slip away sometimes. Our weather is up and down Bean love, Paul said it was really cold yesterday but a little warmer today. We have had some really lovely Aprils in the past but this one cannot make its mind up as you say. I would like to see the martial arts movements too Piggles hunni, I wonder if he has seen "G Force" LOL!!
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by bazookagoof on Apr 19, 2016 2:30:56 GMT
Whenever Oscar was hiding in a box grazing and Deo would amble by, Deo would enter the box- and I would witness the box shake and hear the sounds of chattering teeth, and then Oscar would scurry out of the box. This happened consistently: Deo was Boss Pig. Of course, it just occurs to me that the reason I could never see what was going on in the box was that Deo was training Oscar with secret techniques!
Click Here for dramatic emphasis!
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Post by 3piggles on Apr 19, 2016 13:12:24 GMT
Love it I'm old enough to remember Grasshopper, too Great depiction I find it really interesting that guinea pigs, and probably all animals, have as many ways of showing their dominance, as humans have. Deo was an 'in your face' kind of leader. My Momma pig was more the type to simply put herself between the two fighting pigs, and make it known that the fight was over. None of Momma's subjects ever questioned her. A friend had a boss pig who felt a constant need to nip her subjects, to remind them that she was boss. I wish we could impart a bit of Grasshopper wisdom to some of the more aggressive leaders
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Post by jolovespiggies on Apr 19, 2016 20:18:39 GMT
Ha ha, I love it Baz hun and that photo is just the best. I remember first seeing the series in 1973 and I loved it.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by bazookagoof on Apr 20, 2016 2:31:05 GMT
Thanks! (Ever since day one, that photo looked like Deo was imparting wisdom to the young one in front of him, with Oscar listening attentively.)
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Post by 3piggles on Apr 20, 2016 12:13:16 GMT
Definitely Grasshopper
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