Help with a pig

[DomBee8]

I don't know ANYTHING about pigs, but my friend has one that she keeps at her stable. I want to learn a little more about pigs so I can get to know her better. Also, she causeing some problems, so I wanna know if yall have any suggestions.

Her name is Violate, and she is a black pig. She comes up to my knee. She has always walked with a limp- my friend said she was born with it. She has some people issues. Everytime a person comes near her she will snort, growl, or try to bite them. She wont run, she'll just get an attitude.

She likes to tear up stuff, too. If we leave a gain bag next to the feed bucket then she will tear it open and start eating the grain. She will even go into the horse's stalls and steal their feed, or sleep in there with them. A few weeks ago she knocked over a table with a whole bunch of equipment on it- a tv, a video camera, a radio, and some other things.

What can we do about her attitude, and how can stop her from getting into trouble? We don't want to put her in a pen because she has never wandered off, and we want her to be able to roam around to keep her from getting bored.

[gwildlifeguy05]

There are a lot of things that could be going on here..

first, and foremost, is she spayed? Female pigs (sows) go into heat every 3 weeks and they can get pushy. If she is not spayed, she needs to be...they can get some horrendous uterine tumors if not spayed.

if she is spayed and acting like this, some of this is territorial. Some of which is ok...many pigs prefer their own "bedroom" and don't like anyone standing in it...imagine someone standing on your bed that wasn't invited!!

If she is just pushy, shovey, chargey,snappy, she just hasn't learned that you and your friend are "top pig.." She's treating you like a subordinate pig. When she tries to charge you, stand your ground...use a garbage can lid or large piece of plywood to block her if you feel that she is going to bite you......and push her backwards, slowly. Make her retreat.

Pigs are incredibly intelligent....perhaps Violate is bored....that is why she's shredding the feed sacks, it's fun! Why not train her to do some tricks? If you can get a few pieces of plain popcorn (no salt or butter!) or some cheerios or some grapes, teach her to sit....hold it just above her head and back far enough so that her body naturally goes into the sitting position....when her booty touches the ground, say "sit, Violate.." Reward her. Try it again. You will see by the 3rd or 4th try, she will have probably picked it up and she will beging sitting on her own "asking" for a treat!

PLEASE make sure that she is eating a proper diet....she should be eating a good pelleted potbellied pig food, such as Champion by Ross Mill or Mazuri pot bellied pig food. Hog food or any other food is not appropriate. Based on her size and body type, she should be receiving 2 cups of pelleted food per day...one cup in the morning, one cup in the evening, less if she's a big grazer. We like to add water to the feed and let it soak in...it should be the consistencey of cooked oatmeal....the extra water is good for them.

Hope this was helpful!

Greg

[DomBee8]

It did! We had no info on pigs when we got her- my friend owns a Therapeutic riding stable, and a man donated Violate because he though she would be good for the kids. They really like her, and she only snorts at them. It's the volunteer that she snaps and bites at. The man that gave her to us said that we could feed her grain, veggies, stuff like that. So we've been feeding her horse grain, and stuff like watermellon. She hasn't had a problem with it so far, except for her weight. So we'll get some Potbellie food for her. I'll try the training tips that you've suggested, to.

[Mamakitkat83]

Just my two cents, but not all pigs want to sit so don't get frustrated if she wont "learn" the trick. I had a pair and the male did every trick you can think of except sit, he just ignored it. The female on the other hand well sit was just about the only trick she would do. I hope it all works out for you guys pot belly pigs are very sweet and intelligent friends.