Bonding a dominant sow

AngelaJTaylor

AngelaJTaylor

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Hi, we lost a piggy last week so on Friday started bonding our lonely sow with pir other pair (the dominant sow in this pair, Delilah had previously been very aggressive when we had introduced a third piggy and it failed).
So, initially in a large neutral area there were a few lunges from Delilah, both at her usual cage companion and the "newcomer" Luna. Things settled, though they were keeping distance. After four hours we transferred to the clean 3x4 c and c cage. Any time Luna was too close, Delilah would make a grab for her, getting a mouthful of hair but not drawing blood. Initially Betsy was was just an onlooker when Delilah chased luna, staying out the way, but has now started approaching Luna and teeth chattering and chasing when she gets scared and runs. Luna is submissive and squeals and runs when they get close. There have been many occasions when they are grazing fairly close by, and are all calm, but we are getting several spates of chasing or hair grabbing a day still.
Does this sound like a failed bonding or should we give it longer? It doesn't seem to be calming down, but I didn't want to give up too soon.
Thanks in advance for any advice!

Photo was yesterday when they all say grazing for several minutes seemingly all happy. Delilah then chattwrwd and grabbed hairIMG_20200524_151745123_HDR.webp
 
I’m not too familiar with sow bindings but have a read of the threads below. Also bear in mind that the dominance and bonding behaviour can go on for several weeks after the bonding.
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Bonds In Trouble
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

How often are these incidents of pulling hair? And does the nipping draw blood at all? Is it that the dominant piggy (Delilah?) goes for Luna, or just nips at her as she passes by?
 
Thank you 😊
I already read those and what it did say was that grabbing mouthfuls of hair Is sow aggression rather than full on biting (Unlike boars) which has made me think even more that it’s not going to work, but I am just wary of ending too soon if It may yet settle. They have been together for three nights and betsy has only joined in with the chasing in the last 24 hours (may be on heat? or just had enough of this “invader” to her home?)
 
I think it’s too early to say on this one. Chasing and nipping are dominance signs. If you read the guides linked above you will understand more. It sounds like the 2 dominant sows are going to have to work out their relationship. Luna seems to have accepted bottom spot. It may take some time for the 2 dominant sows to work out who is going to be top sow. But I would keep a very close eye on them - make sure there is no bullying going on, that all are able to eat and sleep unhindered, and that it doesn’t escalate. make sure that there are no injuries, that the hides all have multiple exits and ensure there are plenty of spaces for each pig to get away from each other. Hair pulling is not akin to full biting. I’ve seen it myself in sows who have grudgingly accepted a newcomer and it has gone on to work ok in the long term.
 
Just found scabs on Lunas back and ear, What looked like nipping and hair pulling may have been a bit more. Decided that they will all probably be happier in pairs, so Lina will be getting bonded with a new friend at a rescue when we can. So disappointed, as wanted it to work out, but we did give it a shot. Thanks for the advice.
 
AngelaJTaylor said:
Hi, we lost a piggy last week so on Friday started bonding our lonely sow with pir other pair (the dominant sow in this pair, Delilah had previously been very aggressive when we had introduced a third piggy and it failed).
So, initially in a large neutral area there were a few lunges from Delilah, both at her usual cage companion and the "newcomer" Luna. Things settled, though they were keeping distance. After four hours we transferred to the clean 3x4 c and c cage. Any time Luna was too close, Delilah would make a grab for her, getting a mouthful of hair but not drawing blood. Initially Betsy was was just an onlooker when Delilah chased luna, staying out the way, but has now started approaching Luna and teeth chattering and chasing when she gets scared and runs. Luna is submissive and squeals and runs when they get close. There have been many occasions when they are grazing fairly close by, and are all calm, but we are getting several spates of chasing or hair grabbing a day still.
Does this sound like a failed bonding or should we give it longer? It doesn't seem to be calming down, but I didn't want to give up too soon.
Thanks in advance for any advice!

Photo was yesterday when they all say grazing for several minutes seemingly all happy. Delilah then chattwrwd and grabbed hairView attachment 143564
Click to expand...

Hi!

Pulling hair is the sow equivalent of a full-on boar bite.
I have never found that any bonding where this has happened more than once has been a successful one. Even if the piggies settled together to some respect, the old issue would resurface very quickly and worse than ever or never really settled down at all. These days a mouth full of hair is the end of road as far as I am concerned with my own piggies.

Sadly any piggy bond stands and falls with character compatibility and mutual liking - which is definitely not happening with yours.
 
Thank you,I feel that we did the right thing. It wasn’t settling and Luna was petrified. She was so happy to be back in her own cage and our pair look more relaxed now that she has moved out! We will give her a bit of time and then seek a new friend at rescue x
 
I’m sorry to hear you found evidence of bites. I think you’ve made the right decision. Hope they will be happier as 2 pairs once you’ve found a new piggy companion
 
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