Bullying or something else?

[SallyM79]

We have two sows who are around 2 and a half years old and we have had them since babies. They have always got on and neither seemed particularly dominant or aggressive of the other although sandy is in charge.

A couple of times recently, sandy has started chasing lollipop and climbing on her back. Lollipop tries to run away and squeals a lot until sandy climbs on her then she stops. Sandy repeats this several times. I have only noticed this behaviour twice over the last couple of months.

I don't understand why the dominating behaviour would start now when they are older and we'll bonded. Any ideas?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Dominant behaviour will occur throughout their lives, when they are in season etc. Sometimes they can be stronger seasons than other times. It’s normal

However, a change to appearing to behave as if she is in season a lot be a sign of ovarian cysts in piggies who are over 2 years old.

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

 

[SallyM79]

Thank you. The link is helpful. It says cysts are a possibility if they act like they are in season or aggressively all the time. Thankfully she isn't behaving this way all the time. It has been for a few hours several weeks apart so I think it could just be a strong season.