new pig does not like veggies!
I will keep trying, but so far, the more good pellets I put in, the less he eats. Figures, huh?
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How old is Junior (one more time, I know I've asked this before :-p)?
If he's under a year, don't worry about the alfalfa pellets just yet ... leave him on them. Unless you plan to have him live permanently with Elmo; then Elmo will eat them and he shouldn't have them.
If it were me I'd make the switch as Topaz suggests, at the point you have them living together permanently.
If he's under a year, don't worry about the alfalfa pellets just yet ... leave him on them. Unless you plan to have him live permanently with Elmo; then Elmo will eat them and he shouldn't have them.
If it were me I'd make the switch as Topaz suggests, at the point you have them living together permanently.
Junior is approximately 6 months - 1 year old, according to my vet.
I would like to permanently house he and Elmo together, but want to wait until he is a bit more receptive to timothy pellets. Elmo does tend to be a bit food aggressive, so it may not work to house them together, but I would like to try. Thanks for the advice! I will keep trying. They still love to play together!
I would like to permanently house he and Elmo together, but want to wait until he is a bit more receptive to timothy pellets. Elmo does tend to be a bit food aggressive, so it may not work to house them together, but I would like to try. Thanks for the advice! I will keep trying. They still love to play together!
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Oh doh, you told me all that. I'm sorry.
If they're okay at playtime, and you are able to make a large enough cage, I'd wait only long enough for you to be sure Junior is eating well and properly, and maintaining his weight and/or gaining.
What may happen is that once Junior and Elmo are together permanently, Junior will learn to stick up for himself foodwise.
If they're okay at playtime, and you are able to make a large enough cage, I'd wait only long enough for you to be sure Junior is eating well and properly, and maintaining his weight and/or gaining.
What may happen is that once Junior and Elmo are together permanently, Junior will learn to stick up for himself foodwise.
They do play "tug of war" with veggies during floor time! Junior has gained a few ounces this past week , which is good. I have been very busy lately, so have not had time to arrange "move in day" yet, but will soon. Elmo is in a big cage already, so that is all set.
His cage mate Licorice passed away in November, and we had purchased a large cage to accommodate the 2 of them. Mine has to be on a stand due to my kitties!
His cage mate Licorice passed away in November, and we had purchased a large cage to accommodate the 2 of them. Mine has to be on a stand due to my kitties!
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"They do play "tug of war" with veggies during floor time!"
100% normal. This will actually get Junior to eat more.
"Elmo is in a big cage already, so that is all set."
What you *don't* want is to plop Junior in "Elmo's cage." That is how Elmo will see it anyway. You need to thoroughly clean the cage, wash all food dishes, water bottles, pigloos etc.; change the fleece, bedding or whatever you use, and make the initial introduction in a neutral place (which you more or less have already done). Move the cage furnishings around so that it seems like a completely different cage to Elmo. Otherwise he will be PO'd that you put a "new" pig in "his" cage.
100% normal. This will actually get Junior to eat more.
"Elmo is in a big cage already, so that is all set."
What you *don't* want is to plop Junior in "Elmo's cage." That is how Elmo will see it anyway. You need to thoroughly clean the cage, wash all food dishes, water bottles, pigloos etc.; change the fleece, bedding or whatever you use, and make the initial introduction in a neutral place (which you more or less have already done). Move the cage furnishings around so that it seems like a completely different cage to Elmo. Otherwise he will be PO'd that you put a "new" pig in "his" cage.
As soon as I have time, I will do all that. Right now, they enjoy floor time together every day. The tug of war does encourage Junior to eat. Elmo is a bit more aggressive with it than him , but he has learned to hold his own.
Junior moved in with Elmo about half an hour ago. So far, so good! They have not had any squabbles yet, and both appear happy! Everything was washed thoroughly and the whole cage was rearranged to make it different. Thanks Talishan, for the move in advice. I am trying to mix more of the good pellets in, and will weigh both daily for a while to be sure they are both eating enough.
I have already gone down the rule list with them, and no biting is #1 on the list! Let's hope they follow the rules! He He!!!