Bonding Sows…any Advice Or Thoughts Gratefully Received :o)…

[LaurenKing]

I have two sows who a're 15 months old in a massive cage and thought it would be nice to introduce another two baby sows (sadly a couple of months back we lost a third). The initial introduction happened 4 days ago and took about 5 hours as one of the older sows really really wasn't happy to meet them. The other sow was lovely with the new comers and protected them from the annoyed piggy. The big ones had a bit of a rumblestrutting, teeth chattering face off and all was a bit tetchy but eventually things calmed down enough for me to feel confident enough to put them all in their newly cleaned (with vinegar!)
cage. The concern I have is that 4 day's in and grumpy piggy still isn't keen on the baby's. She's not as angry or aggressive but I notice she has laid claim to the loft area of the cage and if they dare to go up there she chases them back down. She also chases them if she happens to find herself face to face with one or other of them. What's really worried me is that on examination today I discovered one of the baby's has two bite marks on her rump. The first one I know came from day 1 but the second is newer. Today I buddy bathed them all and once again cleaned the cage from top to bottom. Admittedly I have noticed that since the bath they all seem much calmer and I haven't heard any sqeaking from my babies but there has still been some chasing. Should I hold out longer as the relationships are seemingly improving? Or should I just separate them by grids and not risk any bullying? Ideally I'd like them all together but one of the babies in particular ( the one with the sore bottom) is very timid and jumpy whenever the big pigs come near her. The good thing is they will all eat together without squabbling and I have seen a growth already in my babies so in that respect they are fine. I just fear that my bigger pig is bullying when I see her chasing and see she's bitten the little ones and I don't want them to become depressed or unhappy. Any thoughts?! :o)

Ps my title should read 'gratefully received!'

 

[Wiebke]

Give them time; the grumpy piggy is the underpiggy who is very keen on keeping her position in the hierarchy. The dominance phase can last several days to several weeks, but it should eventually subside. I find that the average in a group is about two weeks.

Nipping and chasing typical dominance behaviours. Nipping is actually not biting, just letting the underpiggy feel the teeth in a demonstration of power. In turn, any big squealing is generally not from pain, but as a sign of submission. The dominance phase can look much worse than it is to the newbie, and it is certainly pretty nerve wracking! I am always glad when it is finally over!
You may find these threads here helpful:
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/sow-behaviour.38561/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/

PS: I have amended your thread title.

 

[LaurenKing]

Thank you so much! I just need the reassurance to carry on. The hardest bit was the neutral ground introduction when the big pig (Peanut) was really going for them and I just had to be determined to keep on waiting and blocking with the dustpan. As I type now Peanut is making the babies dive round the cage but she is definitely getting less and less bothered to continue the chase. The other big pig (Pookie) just doesn't mind any of them! I always thought she was our dominant pig and she certainly seemed to be in charge on the introduction day even making Peanut submit until she looked like road kill! I think you're absolutely right, Peanut will happily submit to Pookie but when it comes to the new comers ( Peaches and Pippin-yes we have a P theme going!) they will have to know she's the boss of them! It's funny coz when we had our trio of girls, Peanut was always the outcast and most submissive so it's funny to see her now showing her dominant nature! Thank you again for your reply and for changing my title! I'm loving reading everyone's experiences, tips and suggestions! X

 

[Wiebke]

In a group, it is always the sow just above in the hierarchy that will exhibit the strongest dominance in order to make sure that she is keeping her own rank in the pecking order.