Dominance/female In Season, How Long?

[PixieNixie26]

Hi there,
I am new to the forum, I used to have 6 female guineas but that was a while ago. I currently have 2 new female Guineas, Pixie and Nixie, who are about 12 weeks old. I've had them 2 weeks on Sunday and they are settling in much quicker than expected!

I am a bit worried with Nixie as from the day after she arrived pretty much she rumble strutted, I initially thought it was dominance as there was no attempt to mount or chase Pixie (Nixie appears naturally dominant as Pixie is very placid and laid back doesn't appear to challenge). So far they seem very close, like to be close to each other and get on well, they love playing, running and pop corning around..

However I think Nixie may have been/is in season but I'm wondering how long that would last? I've had them 2 weeks on Sunday so if she was in season from then it would be 10 days? Or it maybe only yesterday she started... I know cycles are regular but how long does the season last?

Last night and early this morning Nixie stepped it up a gear and began chasing and nudging Pixie's bum, there was chasing and squeaking... They have also been in a larger run for part of the day and put back in a cage at night, could this be a dominance thing as the environment has changed and she's reasserting. Nixie has also become very vocal when held and yesterday seemed a lot more grumpy than she has before, I thought maybe it was the hot weather and quick change in temperature here making her niggly as well?... As i'm writing this things are very calm with them but last night and this morning Nixie was really going for it...

Any thoughts would be helpful only I have read multiple multiple things on behaviors/illnesses I am getting a bit worried something is wrong with Nixie

 

[Wiebke]

Hi there,
I am new to the forum, I used to have 6 female guineas but that was a while ago. I currently have 2 new female Guineas, Pixie and Nixie, who are about 12 weeks old. I've had them 2 weeks on Sunday and they are settling in much quicker than expected!

I am a bit worried with Nixie as from the day after she arrived pretty much she rumble strutted, I initially thought it was dominance as there was no attempt to mount or chase Pixie (Nixie appears naturally dominant as Pixie is very placid and laid back doesn't appear to challenge). So far they seem very close, like to be close to each other and get on well, they love playing, running and pop corning around..

However I think Nixie may have been/is in season but I'm wondering how long that would last? I've had them 2 weeks on Sunday so if she was in season from then it would be 10 days? Or it maybe only yesterday she started... I know cycles are regular but how long does the season last?

Last night and early this morning Nixie stepped it up a gear and began chasing and nudging Pixie's bum, there was chasing and squeaking... They have also been in a larger run for part of the day and put back in a cage at night, could this be a dominance thing as the environment has changed and she's reasserting. Nixie has also become very vocal when held and yesterday seemed a lot more grumpy than she has before, I thought maybe it was the hot weather and quick change in temperature here making her niggly as well?... As i'm writing this things are very calm with them but last night and this morning Nixie was really going for it...

Any thoughts would be helpful only I have read multiple multiple things on behaviors/illnesses I am getting a bit worried something is wrong with Nixie

Hi and welcome!

Dominance and seasonal behaviour in sows can look very similar. The initial hierarchy sort-out typically lasts about 2 weeks, but can be a lot short or longer.
A season lasts about 15-17 hours and results in one or two days of madness with a strong season; once your piggies have settled, you should only notice the odd strong one. In a new relationship, seasons tend to be stronger and more pronounced. The excess of drama and pheromones tends to bond piggies closer together by going through this shared experience. The after is usually much more quiet and you can sometimes spot the piggies giving each other piggy kisses (licking the side of the face around the eye) or nuzzling each other to reaffirm their bond.
Sow Behaviour

You may find this guide here helpful: Sow Behaviour

" Starter Kit" Of Information Threads For New Owners

 

[Adelle]

@Wiebke has provided some great advice. Please dont worry about any form of ovarian/hormonal issue, as your sow is far too young for any of that x

 

[PixieNixie26]

Thanks both, really glad to have found this site.
I think that's what was bothering me.. I did the guinea equivalent of checking symptoms online and thinking it was something major! I am taking Pixie to the vets today as since I got her I have noticed she has been sneezing a bit more often than she should and she's snuffly so want to get that checked for certain.
Thanks again, things do appear to have calmed down now, Nixie still struts a bit but more certain it's dominance now and potentially came in season yesterday and today it's coming to an end.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks both, really glad to have found this site.
I think that's what was bothering me.. I did the guinea equivalent of checking symptoms online and thinking it was something major! I am taking Pixie to the vets today as since I got her I have noticed she has been sneezing a bit more often than she should and she's snuffly so want to get that checked for certain.
Thanks again, things do appear to have calmed down now, Nixie still struts a bit but more certain it's dominance now and potentially came in season yesterday and today it's coming to an end.

It sounds like she's had a season. Sows often mount each other when they do, even with a boar present!

It is good that you are checking the snuffliness, but it is more likely from the high pollen count. Brace yourself that your vet is likely to treat with an antibiotic anyway, just to make sure that it is not a respiratory infection (URI).

 

[PixieNixie26]

We are back, in the end they both got the once over... I had them from a pet shop, and to be honest I can't say I am assured they were properly looked after/checked on so for my peace of mind they were both checked (I did feel like an over protective mother) and did cost a bit but glad I did it.
Thankfully both of their lungs are clear and so no infections. Treatment wise I've never heard of doing this before but I have to use a nebulizer with a solution he gave me which will clear her nose and stop any bacteria if there is any getting worse he said. Possibly I did think maybe pollen and because she's changed environments etc but despite the cost very glad to hear for certain they are both healthy and okay!

 

[Wiebke]

Peace of mind is worth something! nebulisers are rather recently being used more and more as support for for breathing problems.

I always recommend to improvise with a bowl of steaming water next to the cage with a guinea pig with crackly/raspy/hooty breathing until you can see a vet and the meds kick in.