Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

I have been unsuccessful in reintegrating Willow, Bertie and Pinniped since their fallout in late March.  Although they've been living in the same cage since mid-April, and there has been no hair-pulling or drawn blood, The Newbies have been doing their darnedest to make Willow feel unwelcome.

Given how bossy Willow was with them initially, I initially felt it was justifiable payback.  But its gone on too far, and Willow shouldn't have to deal with these two her final year(s) in life.  Pinni is guarding Willow far too often, and goes out of her way to take food from Willow an any given opportunity.  Bertie will randomly oust Willow and chase her around the cage (if Willow is willing to run).

So I spent my afternoon yesterday remodeling cages.  The main cage is back to the configuration it was for Willow and Pippin - a split three-level.  Willow has moved to the old store-bought cage I have kept for quarantine.  I refitted it with C&C grids because I hate the top that goes with it.

Its not the greatest looking setup, but it gives them each enough space to move around.  Using the C&C cages around the store-bought base works great, and it allows Pinni to stick her nose through but unable to harass Willow.

Willow was fully excited as I built her cage - she was constantly underfoot.  She has been quiet and relaxed since she got in.  I don't know what I did with the other cage, but Bertie has been freaked.  She didn't explore the cage at all when she got in, and hung around in the tunnel almost all the time for the last day.

Everyone is avoiding the third level.  Dopy pigs.  It was Willow and Pinni's favorite, before I had to pull it all down, due to the fighting.