Is it aggression or just transition problems?

[HappyMamaAcre]

I just adopted a pygmy goat and pot-bellied pig, both a year old, from the nicest couple in the world, who gave them up reluctantly due to a relocation. These two animals were raised together on a small farm - outdoor animals. The pig is large but not huge. I totally believe the couple when they say the pig was never aggressive with them. They were affectionate with the animals, but not over the top.

However, after only a few days the pig has been "charging" me when I go into the large (3500 square feet) grazing area we created for the pig, goat and the ten chickens I already had. I got nipped on the knee earlier today and do not want to have that happen again.

I would like to think this is a transition issue, not a permanent one. I want to approach this problem the right way the first time I try.

My online research seems to indicate I should let the pig know who's boss, by either stomping, clapping, yelling or being physical like a pig (poking or pushing, never hitting) until he gets the message.

I feel I would be more confident doing this with some protection to my legs, like a small piece of plywood or maybe a plastic trash can lid. I am taller than the pig, but he probably out weighs me by 20 pounds (I weigh in at about 100)

Any suggestions?

 

[drdoolittle]

I would be VERY careful when dealing with this pig. He may not have ever been agressive with his former owners, but they raised him. He could really do some serious damage to you. Yes, it could all be due to his stress of being re-homed (it's extremely hard on a pig to be relocated). I try to always wear knee-high rubber boots when in the pen with my boar----he's very, very sweet to me since I've had him from 5 weeks old, but you just never know. Pot bellies are the most agressive pig---second only to the wild boar.


Some sites that may help you are ones I turn to for advice and info on PBPs.

Here they are: pigs4ever.com
pigs.org
potbellypigs.com
pigpalssanctuary.com


I hope everything works out for you and the pig----PBPs are one of the most neglected and abused animals right now and the rescues are overwhelmed with the unwanted ones. This is mainly due to people breeding and selling them for pets as "mini" or "micro" pigs. The people that buy them just don't really know how to care for a pig or what they are getting into. I am breeding mine, but am planning on selling them mainly for meat or at least properly informing potential buyers of the reality of their care. I believe all pigs are happiest when kept outdoors with their own kind----or at the very least have an outdoor area where they can spend no less than 2 hours a day.

Anyway, keep us informed and post some pics of your new pets---we always love that!

 

[aggieterpkatie]

My pig is around 65is pounds and about up to my knee or so. She gets very enthusiastic when I go in to feed her, and this morning she used her nose to really "root" my leg hard, and it hurt. I whacked her in the snout. It was my first reaction, and it worked. She backed off and got ahold of herself. I think if your pig charges you again, I'd yell at him and tell him NO! and if that doesn't work I'd give him a bop on the snout (especially if he nips you again). He's castrated, right?

 

[HappyMamaAcre]

Thanks for the input! I really want this to work as well. I had a long conversation with the former owners last night and they are both amazed and horrified. Nothing like this has ever happened before. I've gone to those other sites and incorporated their advise into my strategies for dealing with this.

I have been using a loud "NO" and a push when comes at me. I wear rubber boots as well, but they would need to go above my knee to give me any protection (and I don't own waders )

He has access to the entire grazing area 24/7 so that's not the problem.

I assumed he was castrated, but asked them. They assumed he had been castrated before they got him...I guess it's impossible to tell by looking? I'm calling their vet today to get him here for a visit.

Headed out for the morning feeding soon - wish me luck!

 

[currycomb]

kinda easy to tell if he is still all boy. stand behind him, look just below his tail, if there are 2 bulges, he has not been cut. if there are no bulges, just kinda smooth, the he has had the operation

 

[drdoolittle]

I also wanted to tell you (just in case) that it's not a good idea to keep the pig in the same enclosure as the goat and chickens. He may have been raised with the goat, but pigs can become agressive for no reason and he could seriously injure or even kill the goat. As for the chickens, once he gets a taste of them, they'll all disappear. Maybe you could just separate the pasture into 2 separate enclosures?

 

[HappyMamaAcre]

Thanks currycomb - looks like he has been castrated. And thanks drdoolittle for all your helpful comments as well. It gives me insight on my not-well-thought-out situation.

In my situation, either all the farm animals get along together in the same area or someone has to go. They're pets. We really need to be able to co-exist together. I've got to assume there are at least a few positive pig stories out there. The previous owners are willing to work with me to re-home both the pig and the goat if it doesn't work out, but they are committed to keeping them together. I'm o.k. with that. If they both need to go, I'll stick with just goats the next time.

Today was a much better day. The pig got a lot of belly rubs out in the pasture from me. I used a plastic bin lid to protect my legs when I was feeding him and there was some mild bumping from him and a couple of "no" responses from me. No drama.

The vet comes on Wednesday to give me some advice and survey my setup. Maybe he'll also have some good input.

Thanks so much for all the advice. If anyone else wants to chime in, I'm all ears!

 

[TheSheepGirl]

My pot belly, Hamlet is kept with my chickens and my goats. All the animals are kept together and nothing has happened as of yet, and it's been 4 years! My big pigs even permit the chickens to set and hatch their chicks in their house.

Most will tell you that all pigs are nasty and viscious by nature. I have found that the oposite is true. My pigs, even the full sized ones, have been friendly, well mannered, and have peacefully coexisted with all of the other animals on the farm.

Though some pigs, and that even seems rare to me, will become viscious without cause, I have found that the vast majority of pigs are easy keepers and total sweet hearts. abused or mistreated pigs will often become viscious, but then again, they have a good reason to be.

However, pigs that aren't taught to mind will become pushy, as is a pigs way, and some will mis interptret this as agression. A few taps to the snout and a very stern "No!" and most pigs learn to behave around people.

Charging is a totally different thing. Chances are your pig is testing you to see if you'll back down. He is trying to establish who is the dominant animal, you or him. If the No commands are working, then keep it up. Don't look scared or run from him. Just stand your ground, tell him No, and let him know who's boss.

 

[HappyMamaAcre]

Thank you, TheSheepGirl! I'm a firm believer that there are always two sides to every story! The current situation is....

I'm not a leader by nature, to this is not an easy thing for me. Might be more my problem than the pig's. However, I went to the thrift store, bought myself some baseball catcher leg protection, and waded out into the barnyard. For anyone else with this problem, it was much easier for me than to try and protect my legs with a piece of wood or other flat surface.

It's only been a week, but I think I'm the big dog now. Probably because the pig was so well raised in the first place. There were a couple of attempts at charging at first, but now it's mostly my insecurity that is the problem. Feeding in the am and pm gets a bit sketchy with goat and pig vying for first dibs (pig always wins), but I'm getting more confident and finding alternatives ways of feeding that work better. No hand feeding, only food in the bowl. Pigs are smart. He's learning.

I'm sure there are mean pigs out there, and mine might be one of them at some point. But I'd like to put reasonable protection in place and think the best of the pig. It's a relationship. Sometimes it might me my fault, sometimes his. So far, no divorce or restraining order is necessary.

There is something wonderful about looking out my back door in the early morning and seeing a pig and a goat and a bunch of chickens enjoying the sunrise.

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

Thank you, TheSheepGirl! I'm a firm believer that there are always two sides to every story! The current situation is....

I'm not a leader by nature, to this is not an easy thing for me. Might be more my problem than the pig's. However, I went to the thrift store, bought myself some baseball catcher leg protection, and waded out into the barnyard. For anyone else with this problem, it was much easier for me than to try and protect my legs with a piece of wood or other flat surface.

It's only been a week, but I think I'm the big dog now. Probably because the pig was so well raised in the first place. There were a couple of attempts at charging at first, but now it's mostly my insecurity that is the problem. Feeding in the am and pm gets a bit sketchy with goat and pig vying for first dibs (pig always wins), but I'm getting more confident and finding alternatives ways of feeding that work better. No hand feeding, only food in the bowl. Pigs are smart. He's learning.

I'm sure there are mean pigs out there, and mine might be one of them at some point. But I'd like to put reasonable protection in place and think the best of the pig. It's a relationship. Sometimes it might me my fault, sometimes his. So far, no divorce or restraining order is necessary.

There is something wonderful about looking out my back door in the early morning and seeing a pig and a goat and a bunch of chickens enjoying the sunrise.

I agree!