Aggressive Or Not?

[Babooba]

Hey. I have had 3 guinea pigs, all female, for 2 months now and they get along great for the most part, sometimes some bickering here and there, not unusual. So tonight after I clean their cage, one of them just starts acting really aggressive. She would chase after the other two, try to mount them, and just act really mean. Normally she does not doe this but tonight it was getting a bit more intense. None of them are hurting each other and the worst that has happened is the aggressor would chase one into a corner, wait a few seconds, and saunter off. They have all been squeaking pretty much nonstop for about three hours, but it would occasionally die down for a minute and then when one one squeak, the other two would join in like they are all arguing. I am confused by this and don't know what to do.

 

[Kerrie74]

They sound like my older three sows, one of them probably has ovarian cysts so that doesn't help (she's been treated with hormone injections), but since their sister died almost a year ago it's like they are still trying to sort out who's in charge. Some of the squabbles they have ughh lol, plus trying to pee on each other and kicking each other in the face.

I've pasted a link below for you to have a look at

Sow Behaviour

 

[VickiA]

Sounds like one could be in season. The link to sow behaviour is well worth reading.

 

[Wiebke]

Hey. I have had 3 guinea pigs, all female, for 2 months now and they get along great for the most part, sometimes some bickering here and there, not unusual. So tonight after I clean their cage, one of them just starts acting really aggressive. She would chase after the other two, try to mount them, and just act really mean. Normally she does not doe this but tonight it was getting a bit more intense. None of them are hurting each other and the worst that has happened is the aggressor would chase one into a corner, wait a few seconds, and saunter off. They have all been squeaking pretty much nonstop for about three hours, but it would occasionally die down for a minute and then when one one squeak, the other two would join in like they are all arguing. I am confused by this and don't know what to do.

It sounds like a very strong season with some dominance thrown. How old are your sows? Pre-adolescent sows can suffer from hormonal bursts like boars, only that they are not usually ending with full-out fights or permanent fall-outs. It usually comes out as a few mad days around the time they are in season.

Adult sows from their second year onwards can develop ovarian cysts, most of which never cause any problems. It is usually the tiny ones that cause the most havoc and can lead to protracted aggression problems. In that case, you want to look into hormone therapy if the disruptive behaviour is sustained for a longer period and seriously impacting on the group life.

As for now, just sit it out and it is hopefully going to die down again tomorrow. A strong season can cause A LOT of drama, but the shared excess of emotions also serves to cement the bond between your girls.
Sow Behaviour

 

[Babooba]

Thank you all for the replies. It gave me a lot of valuable information because I am still also trying to learn my cavies.

 

[DitsyMum]

I think my little sows are experiencing adolescent season...there's been a bit of bottom sniffing and some deep purring sounds along with a bit of feistyness... They are 3 sisters, about 10 weeks old...I'm still trying to work out the dominant one! I do find they seem to protest at being separated...particularly one of my piggies! But like you I'm still learning all their behaviours and sounds! It's like having a newborn baby all over again! Oh the sleepless nights worrying!.

 

[Freela]

Sometimes when a sow is in season she will show some noticeable dominance behaviors. They usually subside in a few days. One of my pigs used to get very noticeably moody... I used to call it guinea pig PMS. She was a whole other animal for those two or three days... and she was normally so meek and mild!