Bonding concern

[Sarahangel]

We have now had baby Peaches for 2 weeks and she is in with Wanda and has been for almost the whole 2 weeks. They seem ok together lots of chasing from Wanda initially, but seemed to settle after a couple of days. The worry is, Wanda still chases her and when she goes to the baby, Peaches Squeeks loudly as if she is scared. Does this sound ok? There hasn't been a fight or any injuries at all, we are just worried that the baby is scared. The cage they are in for now is 120 x 50. They go back to uni Sunday with my daughter where she has a larger C&C cage. Any thoughts would be appreciated

 

[Piggies&buns]

The squealing is usually a sign of submission. She is telling Wanda that she accepts that Wanda is boss. As long as there aren’t any of the signs to be concerned about (and it doesn’t sound as if there is), then all should be well.

Your daughter should be aware that the change in their cage when they go back with her, will set off a new set of dominance displays. Any change in environment will cause this. It will help if she can take some soiled bedding with her so that the new cage can be made to smell of them as it’ll help them settle more easily

 

[Wiebke]

We have now had baby Peaches for 2 weeks and she is in with Wanda and has been for almost the whole 2 weeks. They seem ok together lots of chasing from Wanda initially, but seemed to settle after a couple of days. The worry is, Wanda still chases her and when she goes to the baby, Peaches Squeeks loudly as if she is scared. Does this sound ok? There hasn't been a fight or any injuries at all, we are just worried that the baby is scared. The cage they are in for now is 120 x 50. They go back to uni Sunday with my daughter where she has a larger C&C cage. Any thoughts would be appreciated
View attachment 129983View attachment 129984

Hi and welcome

This is normal behaviour for the post-bonding dominance phase, which lasts around 2 weeks on average but can go on for longer. The loud squeaking is submission squealing and NOT in pain; it is the correct response to any dominance behaviour from the leading piggy and very effective at that. Please be aware that youngsters are always extra dramatic and vocal. Most people are unfortunately not aware that the whole process of becoming a functional hierarchical group is not over in just a few hours, but that bonding is a process with clear stages that takes in fact several weeks. In sows there is also the added complication that the first seasons in a new bond are usually stronger ones and lead to a renewed display of assertion; this serves actually to cement the new bond rather than putting it at risk.

Please take the time to read these two guide links. You will find the information in them very helpful to understand the behaviours and the dynamics that you are witnessing. the guides also contain more practical tips.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics (the last chapter deals with the post-bonding dominance phase)
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts) (including information on typical dominance behaviours and strong seasons)

 

[Sarahangel]

Thank you for the advice, I will tell her

Hi and welcome

This is normal behaviour for the post-bonding dominance phase, which lasts around 2 weeks on average but can go on for longer. The loud squeaking is submission squealing and NOT in pain; it is the correct response to any dominance behaviour from the leading piggy and very effective at that. Please be aware that youngsters are always extra dramatic and vocal. Most people are unfortunately not aware that the whole process of becoming a functional hierarchical group is not over in just a few hours, but that bonding is a process with clear stages that takes in fact several weeks. In sows there is also the added complication that the first seasons in a new bond are usually stronger ones and lead to a renewed display of assertion; this serves actually to cement the new bond rather than putting it at risk.

Please take the time to read these two guide links. You will find the information in them very helpful to understand the behaviours and the dynamics that you are witnessing. the guides also contain more practical tips.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics (the last chapter deals with the post-bonding dominance phase)
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts) (including information on typical dominance behaviours and strong seasons)

The squealing is usually a sign of submission. She is telling Wanda that she accepts that Wanda is boss. As long as there aren’t any of the signs to be concerned about (and it doesn’t sound as if there is), then all should be well.

Your daughter should be aware that the change in their cage when they go back with her, will set off a new set of dominance displays. Any change in environment will cause this. It will help if she can take some soiled bedding with her so that the new cage can be made to smell of them as it’ll help them settle more easily

Thanks I will tell her

 

[Sarahangel]

Thank you for the advice, I will tell her

Hi and welcome

This is normal behaviour for the post-bonding dominance phase, which lasts around 2 weeks on average but can go on for longer. The loud squeaking is submission squealing and NOT in pain; it is the correct response to any dominance behaviour from the leading piggy and very effective at that. Please be aware that youngsters are always extra dramatic and vocal. Most people are unfortunately not aware that the whole process of becoming a functional hierarchical group is not over in just a few hours, but that bonding is a process with clear stages that takes in fact several weeks. In sows there is also the added complication that the first seasons in a new bond are usually stronger ones and lead to a renewed display of assertion; this serves actually to cement the new bond rather than putting it at risk.

Please take the time to read these two guide links. You will find the information in them very helpful to understand the behaviours and the dynamics that you are witnessing. the guides also contain more practical tips.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics (the last chapter deals with the post-bonding dominance phase)
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts) (including information on typical dominance behaviours and strong seasons)

Hi and welcome

This is normal behaviour for the post-bonding dominance phase, which lasts around 2 weeks on average but can go on for longer. The loud squeaking is submission squealing and NOT in pain; it is the correct response to any dominance behaviour from the leading piggy and very effective at that. Please be aware that youngsters are always extra dramatic and vocal. Most people are unfortunately not aware that the whole process of becoming a functional hierarchical group is not over in just a few hours, but that bonding is a process with clear stages that takes in fact several weeks. In sows there is also the added complication that the first seasons in a new bond are usually stronger ones and lead to a renewed display of assertion; this serves actually to cement the new bond rather than putting it at risk.

Please take the time to read these two guide links. You will find the information in them very helpful to understand the behaviours and the dynamics that you are witnessing. the guides also contain more practical tips.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics (the last chapter deals with the post-bonding dominance phase)
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts) (including information on typical dominance behaviours and strong seasons)

Thanks I will have a good read, feeling less worried already