A Bit Concerned About Dahlia And Iris's Relationship

[R Dorothy]

I've had my two girls for a little over a year now. It's the first time I've had two piggies, so I'm not 100% sure how they're supposed to behave around each other. I know there's going to be some tense moments, but I've never seen them be affectionate to one another.

A positive is that they will both stand side by side and eat together. Every once in awhile a head will get raised, but there's never any fighting over food.

Space is another thing. They have a big cage, but if Iris is in a place Dahlia decides she wants, she chases Iris away.

Dahlia is without a doubt the dominant one. She has to have everything her way. She's also much more aggressive than Iris when going into heat. Both shake and rumble, but I have to take Dahlia away to chill out something since she wants to mount Iris so bad.

What's weird is that even though they don't like being all that close together in the cage (unless something scares them) I can't hold one without the other. I need to use my arm as a barrier otherwise Dahlia will take nips at Iris, but they won't lay down and relax if by themselves. They actually cry out for one another. For floor time Iris is actually the braver one and Dahlia is right behind her the whole way.

Sometimes, usually when I'm in another room, I hear Iris give a good shriek. I've never seen any signs of real physical damage until today. I felt some small scabby tissue on her ear and saw that Dahlia must've given her a pretty good bite. It is just a teeny tiny spot, but it still bothers me.

I'm really worried about Iris's happiness. Do you think I should get a separation grid for the cage or let them be? They've never gotten into a serious brawl, but I still feel that Iris gets bullied far too often.

 

[Wiebke]

I have a pair teddies that work the same as yours; they may not be loved-up and Nerys may be a grumpy old so-and-so, but they are very firmly bonded nevertheless and happiest as the pair they are! It is normal for the top sow to have the stronger season. Please don't interfere; sows are generally very tolerant when one of their friends goes overboard, hormonally speaking. You will find that Dahlia will do the same for Iris.

A little scratch to the ear can easily happen and is nothing to worry about; it won't break up their relationship. You may want to keep an eye out just in case the scab develops into fungal over the next few days.

 

[R Dorothy]

I have a pair teddies that work the same as yours; they may not be loved-up and Nerys may be a grumpy old so-and-so, but they are very firmly bonded nevertheless and happiest as the pair they are! It is normal for the top sow to have the stronger season. Please don't interfere; sows are generally very tolerant when one of their friends goes overboard, hormonally speaking.

A little scratch to the ear can easily happen and is nothing to worry about; it won't break up their relationship. You may want to keep an eye out just in case the scab develops into fungal over the next few days.

It's just that Dahlia gets so bad when in heat that Iris can't even drink. Dahlia seems to watch for her to take a drink at one of the water bottles and then runs up behind her. Should I really not take her out then?

Oh gosh, I didn't know it could turn into a fungal infection! I will for sure be watching it! Thank you!

 

[Wiebke]

No, if it is really as bad as that, then you are right to separate. It is only for a day or so, isn't it?

It is likely not to be fungal, but sometimes what looks like a scratch or a bite in the head area can be actually the beginning of a fungal infection, so it is always worth keeping that at the back of your mind. It is most probably just a dominance swipe from Dahlia that Iris couldn't dodge in time.