[Gpdd] BEHAVIOR (GNAWING)

[Penny Charlesworth]

Hi Grace,

Why don't you do what I do and use cardboard boxes for the piggy hideaways? 
All sizes of boxes are left at the supermarket for people to use for their 
shopping. I wonder if this is done where you shop.

I have a few pigloos, which have been given to me by people handing over 
their piggies but most of the Piggyfriends have boxes. Those who like to 
chew doors and windows in them are free to do so and when they become too 
damaged, they go on the garden compost heap. Some piggies like to sit on top 
of a box or jump from one to another.

I line the boxes with newspaper and put some hay on top. I change the paper 
every morning so that no piggy is sitting in urine and poo. Elderly piggies 
have their box lined with a piece of vetbed of suitable size with paper 
underneath. I particularly like the boxes that originally held 6 bottles of 
wine as they are just the right size to fit an English free paper called 
Friday Ad but any paper can be folded to fit. Use a thick enough wad of 
paper that the box does not get wet and it can be reused for quite a long 
time.

Piggies that like to snuggle with their friends have larger boxes. The tough 
ones that hold apples or potatoes are particularly good for this as they 
take a lot of gnawing before they disintegrate. These might be too high for 
a cage with a top but the Piggyfriends' pens are just wire surrounds so it 
doesn't matter. The wine boxes on their side are only the height of two 
bottles.

Some pigs really are neat and tidy as you said. All the poos in one corner 
ready to be swept up in the morning. You can't teach behaviour like that! 
Some piggies are born messy. Are you reading this Polo and Copper? You might 
expect boars to be messy, just like little human boys but my tidiest piggy 
is my big boar, Halloween.

Penny and the Piggyfriends.