Bonding

[DM190921]

Hello me again, I have uploaded pics of my girls ears as I have concerns about their ears & would really appreciate advice please. I have searched the forum but posts haven’t really answered my questions so needed to post. My concern is the chewed/bits missing on their ears. As far as I’m aware they get in very well & love each other. They are both sisters I got at 6/8 weeks old. Should I be concerned about the bits missing on their ears as I’d hate the thought of this being a bullying issue. Princess with the white face has hers nibbled/bitten more. She has a chunk out of her ear but both are handled daily so I can say Iv never seen blood or scabs. They both do the dominant rumble strutting sometimes. Queenie is dominant at least I think but I’m not sure if princess has submitted to this or wants to be boss. They are currently in a big room with lots of space, toys, chews & hide outs etc. Also 2 bowls so 1 each with food & 1 each with water. We have a cat so the glass door has a curtain on it so as she doesn’t stress them out. I think I need to move them back into kitchen so I can see & observe them more but as far as I see they get on very well. Thank you again for reading. They are my first pigs so I’m learning

 

[Minnieandpebbs]

Ear licking is a very mild form of dominance but it can lead to ear biting, this isn't much of a problem unless you see any blood of other wounds that are hurting the guinea pig. Mine have some chewed bits on their ears but are completely fine. Only take action if you spot blood.

 

[DM190921]

Ear licking is a very mild form of dominance but it can lead to ear biting, this isn't much of a problem unless you see any blood of other wounds that are hurting the guinea pig. Mine have some chewed bits on their ears but are completely fine. Only take action if you spot blood.

Hi, thank you for replying. I check them daily & there has never been any blood or cuts/scabs. Both girls have but princess more so. Feeling better knowing it can be a common thing others do also x

 

[DM190921]

Ear licking is a very mild form of dominance but it can lead to ear biting, this isn't much of a problem unless you see any blood of other wounds that are hurting the guinea pig. Mine have some chewed bits on their ears but are completely fine. Only take action if you spot blood.

Iv been observing the girls & both has been rumble strutting, trying to mount, sniffing each others bottoms etc so I don’t think they have established who will be the dominant girl. They are both only a few months old & sisters but during this have been playing & popcorning & love each other. Do you know how long it takes for dominance to be established? X

 

[Piggies&buns]

Iv been observing the girls & both has been rumble strutting, trying to mount, sniffing each others bottoms etc so I don’t think they have established who will be the dominant girl. They are both only a few months old & sisters but during this have been playing & popcorning & love each other. Do you know how long it takes for dominance to be established? X

It takes a couple of weeks after they’ve been introduced to each other. If they are going into season then you will see an increase in dominance behaviours and I imagine that is what you are seeing

 

[DM190921]

It takes a couple of weeks after they’ve been introduced to each other. If they are going into season then you will see an increase in dominance behaviours and I imagine that is what you are seeing

Yes I think it definitely has something to do with one being in season as Iv been reading & watched the videos posted here on that. I also read that one needs to submit or there will be problems, is this what would happen? I think queenie is dominant but Iv just been watching them & both are trying to mount etc. Wish I knew who actually was top girl but I’m not sure to be honest. Iv learnt so much on the forum it’s been so helpful for me as a first time pig owner. I’m a bit paranoid about everything because of this. Looks like I’m having the teenage hormones haha with my girls X

 

[DM190921]

Yes I think it definitely has something to do with one being in season as Iv been reading & watched the videos posted here on that. I also read that one needs to submit or there will be problems, is this what would happen? I think queenie is dominant but Iv just been watching them & both are trying to mount etc. Wish I knew who actually was top girl but I’m not sure to be honest. Iv learnt so much on the forum it’s been so helpful for me as a first time pig owner. I’m a bit paranoid about everything because of this. Looks like I’m having the teenage hormones haha with my girls X

I’m not worried though as they don’t fight & are so sweet together most of the time. I’m a bit hormonal myself at that time of the month so I feel for my girls, us woman have a lot to deal with & clearly being a sow is kind of like that, especially a pair of young buds like my 2 x

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes one needs to submit. If they both wanted to be top pig then there would be issues, but you are less likely to see the kinds of blood drawings fights that you see amongst incompatible boars.
If it’s just chasing and mounting, then leave them to it. How old are they now? I’ve not had sows but I do know their first few seasons can be quite dramatic!