Bonding Sow And Baby Piglet

[Kaya87]

HI guys,
My sow has been on her own for the past 3 years. I've tried mixing her with anot her grown sow and neutred baby male but she has been too aggressive.
We moved in to a new home 6 months back and I've got a new job, working long hours, I felt that Roxi needs companionship and I recently bought a 3 week old baby girl.
I've introduced them for the first time and Roxi has groomed the piglet, she seemed pretty relaxed.
I've put them for few hours together under constant observation.
Roxi hasn't chattered her teeth, she seemed relaxed. She allowed the little to eat with her, however when the little one makes sudden movements or starts pacing around the cage, Roxi runs up to her and nibbles her. Then she relaxes again and grooms her, and she just does her own thing.
Is it something to worry about?
They are in the cage at the moment and they are OK, it seems like Roxi is acting quite territorial but are those signs of acceptance or would she hurt the little one?

 

[Wiebke]

I wouldn't worry; Roxi has obviously decided to mother the little one; all signs are dominance, but very safely on the welcoming to normal side and she seems to be very attentive.

Weaned youngsters are very much put into place at the bottom of the hierarchy, but with the grooming Roxi is also telling the little one that she wants her as a member of the herd ("power grooming").

 

[madguinealady]

I have two dominant sows in two separate groups as they hate each other but they accepted babies no problem and there has been no problems as they grew up.My two dominant ones are the biggest in the groups which probably helpd

 

[Kaya87]

Thank you. I'm bit worried about the little one as she is only 3 weeks old. Just been separated from her mother and Rox has groomed Leyla but whenever Leyla moves somewhere Roxi doesn't want her to be, gets chased down and bitten. I haven't seen any obvious wounds or blood. But Leyla screams and looks scared to death. Than she relaxes and starts roaming around the cage, for few moments is ok, then Roxi is at it again.
It's not constant but I'm worried. I had to take Leyla out to make sure she doesn't get hurt. They cages are next to each other and they seem to be calling out to each other...not sure what to do.
Roxi is not chattering her teeth, she just launches at the little one.
Is there any hope for them?

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you. I'm bit worried about the little one as she is only 3 weeks old. Just been separated from her mother and Rox has groomed Leyla but whenever Leyla moves somewhere Roxi doesn't want her to be, gets chased down and bitten. I haven't seen any obvious wounds or blood. But Leyla screams and looks scared to death. Than she relaxes and starts roaming around the cage, for few moments is ok, then Roxi is at it again.
It's not constant but I'm worried. I had to take Leyla out to make sure she doesn't get hurt. They cages are next to each other and they seem to be calling out to each other...not sure what to do.
Roxi is not chattering her teeth, she just launches at the little one.
Is there any hope for them?

What you are seeing is dominance behaviour, and it is not painful. All the dominant piggy is letting her feel her teeth (threatening, but never biting). The loud screaming is submission, which is quite an effective way of keeping the dominant piggy from inflicting harm. It is very typical dominance behaviour.

Hopefully it settles down soon. Freshly weaned piggies go through the same process with their mothers and aunties when they make the transition from protected nursing pups to minor members at the bottom of the hierarchy. Leyla will survive just fine!