Chasing and guarding

[K.CO]

Hi guys!

I have 3 sows at 3x4 pen lots of hay, water and hides. Their names are Eden who is the biggest, Casein and Wine. Eden suddenly started chasing Casein and she’s like guarding Wine. Usually Wine stays at the corner to sleep. Eden just suddenly stays close to Wine and whenever she moves just a bit, Eden would move closer to her.
Whenever Eden gets up she chase Casein and goes back to Wine. No blood drawn or any sounds so i have no idea if they are fighting or playing.

Is this normal? I’m wondering if she’s in heat?

 

[Siikibam]

How long has this behaviour been going on? And what does Casein do when she’s chased? How is her relationship with Wine? The issue with trios is that sometimes you can end up with an ‘outsider’ or third wheel situation. Is Casein gaining weight and allowed to eat? And how old are they?

I’m not as experienced with sows so wait for a response from others. In the meantime have a read of the guides I’ve linked below.
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

 

[Wiebke]

Hi guys!

I have 3 sows at 3x4 pen lots of hay, water and hides. Their names are Eden who is the biggest, Casein and Wine. Eden suddenly started chasing Casein and she’s like guarding Wine. Usually Wine stays at the corner to sleep. Eden just suddenly stays close to Wine and whenever she moves just a bit, Eden would move closer to her.
Whenever Eden gets up she chase Casein and goes back to Wine. No blood drawn or any sounds so i have no idea if they are fighting or playing.

Is this normal? I’m wondering if she’s in heat?

Hi!

Unfortunately we cannot help you until you have given us some more background information as to the ages of your sows and how long this has been going on. Please remove any hides with just one exit for the time being.

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

 

[K.CO]

Eden 1 year & 6 months
Casein 1 year & 4 months
Wine 6 months

Eden and Casein have been together since they were 6 & 4 months old. Wine is Casein’s pup so they are with her since birth.

This has been going on for 2 days now.

All hides have 2-3 exits.

This is Eden and Wine last night. Eden gets up to chase wake up Casein and chase her then she goes back to Wine in that same position.

 

[K.CO]

How long has this behaviour been going on? And what does Casein do when she’s chased? How is her relationship with Wine? The issue with trios is that sometimes you can end up with an ‘outsider’ or third wheel situation. Is Casein gaining weight and allowed to eat? And how old are they?

I’m not as experienced with sows so wait for a response from others. In the meantime have a read of the guides I’ve linked below.
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

Casein doesn’t fight back they just run arounf the pen. They all eat great. They don’t fight over food.

Eden is 1 year and 6 months
Casein is 1 year and 4 months

They’ve been together since 6 and 4 months old. Casein had Wine so they are with her since birth. She’s 6 months old.

I also have 3 boars and they’ve never done this.

 

[Siikibam]

Could it be that Eden is making sure Casein knows her place, or is trying to take her place in the hierarchy? Do you weigh them weekly? And Casein is maintaining her weight? Could it be she’s in season? Is it constant - every time Casein gets near her?

Wiebke will be better placed to answer you. Count yourself lucky to have a functioning trio of boars, it’s not often it works. Did you have a read of the guides we linked to?

 

[K.CO]

Now that you mention it I think she’s trying to take her place in the hierarchy since Casein was like the alpha of the group. They’re all maintaining weight. This just new, this never happened before.