[Gpdd] [CARE] Advice on settling three young girls

[warmbreath at comcast.net]

If there is a way you can move the girls to a room that people are in for 
the most time each day that helps allot. If you have a phone where they are 
or have a cordless phone then sit by them when you talk on the phone. You 
can read to them as well. Also when you go in you might remove the pigloos 
so they at least have to occupy the same space as you. Another thing, 
although for the long run I dont recommend chopping up their salads, for 
this socializing time you can sit by them and talk and offer the salad one 
bit at a time through the bars very slowly. Offer the choicest bits of hay 
as well.  Sometimes an opportunity presents itself to easily scoop up a pig, 
do that and sit right by the cage and pet the front part of the pig, if she 
shoves your hand off her head respect that, but I know very few self 
respecting pigs that can resist a rub on both sides of the mouth, under the 
chin do one way stroking, and massage in front of the ears and along the jaw 
line. Since their jaw muscles are constantly used I theorize that is why 
they enjoy this so much. Sammy closes his eyes and has a very relaxed air, 
while few pigs will tolerate their back or bums being touched and many 
include the top of the head.  Try not to turn them over or hold them baby 
style, just a very natural position your lap or chest, they want to feel 
supported and safe. If it looks like Laura is the alpha sow take her out 
first as the other sows will do what she does. Keep an eye out that her 
status doesn't change by being first, I dont know that this could happen but 
it's a thought. Nothing worse than a thwarted alpha sow over time. Time an 
patience can only be hurried so much but if they can escape or hide they 
will, and that extends the process and is why I suggest removing hidey 
places.

If the cage is on the floor you can open it up sit next to the opening if 
there is one, a put the salad on your lap. If you take out one pig in this 
scenario you can take one of the subordinate sows, the alpha sow will be 
hard put to resist what her sister is enjoying and may come out on her own. 
If you cant get on the same level as the pigs you can just use pieces of the 
scenario.  I also found that Sammy in particular doesn't like to be taken 
from his cage for it to be cleaned, and I accommodate him on the times it 
doesn't have to washed with vinegar, I use more paper on the bottom level so 
it doesn't have to be all removed every time and just start rolling up 
individual sections with as much litter as fits and remove one package at a 
time. He thinks this is a wonderful game and he popcorns hugely, runs 
around, tries to pee a little on each fresh section and is impatient for his 
favorite part, the placing of the Carefresh, he helps, and then the hay 
which he dives on top. He just thinks this is grand fun, and when he wants 
the cage cleaned he lets me know by flinging bedding out, I get a different 
signal when he wants to be held, which bye the way, is now, so I sign off 
and wish you luck with your precious girls. Love  Sandy and Shipwreck Sam