Hi
About a month ago I adopted Mousha, a 2 year old sow who had always been a single piggie. I wanted a companion for her and adopted Thelma, approx 2 years old, who had recently lost her (I think) sister.
We have had Thelma with us for a week and she seems to be settling in. Eats like a horse, sleeps like a cat and has the odd burst of energy where she runs around like a banshee.
But...she has a tendancy to bite Mousha.
I've had a look on other threads but can't find anything that quite answers my concerns. Thelma is a lot bigger than Mousha. She follows Mousha around the run, comes up close and stares at her for a bit before giving her a good nip.
Sometimes she'll corner Mousha and then lie down in front of her to bar Mousha's way. As a result the two of them spend a lot of time in their respective houses not mixing very much - except around the food bowls!
Given that they have only been together for a week, does this sound like normal adjustment behaviour between two sows? Could Thelma be trying to make friends with Mousha, not getting the desired response and so nipping in frustration?!
About a month ago I adopted Mousha, a 2 year old sow who had always been a single piggie. I wanted a companion for her and adopted Thelma, approx 2 years old, who had recently lost her (I think) sister.
We have had Thelma with us for a week and she seems to be settling in. Eats like a horse, sleeps like a cat and has the odd burst of energy where she runs around like a banshee.
But...she has a tendancy to bite Mousha.
I've had a look on other threads but can't find anything that quite answers my concerns. Thelma is a lot bigger than Mousha. She follows Mousha around the run, comes up close and stares at her for a bit before giving her a good nip.
Sometimes she'll corner Mousha and then lie down in front of her to bar Mousha's way. As a result the two of them spend a lot of time in their respective houses not mixing very much - except around the food bowls!
Given that they have only been together for a week, does this sound like normal adjustment behaviour between two sows? Could Thelma be trying to make friends with Mousha, not getting the desired response and so nipping in frustration?!
