Dominant Sow Bullying While In Heat.

[jmdwriter]

Hi there! I'm new to these forums, but I've browsed and read a few different snippets and I still can't find a resolution for my problem. Hopefully one of you kind folks can link me to a related thread or give me some advice?

I have two girls, Lily and Belle, who are both fairly young. Lily is probably 1.5 years, and Belle perhaps a year old if that. They have never been cuddly, close best friends, but they are normally tolerant of one another. They can share a food bowl, they can lie fairly close to one another just fine, that sort of thing is rarely an issue. But Lily has established dominance - she's older, bigger, and more aggressive about her space. This is normally fine as well. Belle doesn't challenge her and she'll step out of the way if Lily doesn't like something.

However, things change a bit when Lily is in heat. She will go out of her way to chase and attempt to mount Belle, and that is not an appreciated gesture, so Belle will squeak and run away and sometimes squirt at Lily to deter her. Lily will stop, sometimes wander to the opposite side of the cage for a little while, and then start right up again in no time. I understand that this is pretty normal behavior, and that it can go on for a couple of days, but is there ANY way I can make Belle more comfortable? I've taken her out and held her a few times, I've left her cage door open to give her an easy out if she needs it (Lily won't willingly exit the habitat, she's stubborn), but I don't know what else to do when they both have to be in the cage.

They have 8 square feet of space. We just recently upgraded from the pitiful arrangement we had (generic pet store glorified litter box), so I'm fairly certain that isn't the issue. They can be on opposite ends and Lily will deliberately start a squabble. They don't fight, they don't tear into one another, but Belle just seems like she can't get a moments rest. Lily has to be asleep for there to be a period of peace for Belle. So I've gathered that it's probably totally fine, but it's stressful for my boyfriend and I, too, because they'll do it while we're trying to sleep as well. I considered possibly dividing the cage before bed, but I would prefer not to do that unless I have to. I wouldn't put it past Lily to be a little devil if she has enough time to establish comfort by herself. Help?

 

[Jerrybelly]

Bumping this up in case anyone has any advice

 

[Wiebke]

Lily is obviously a rather dominant, hormonal sow, and her seasons are riding her hard. She simply can't help herself during these times. It can get very mad! It is tough if this happens with every season even though she should be reaching a more hormonally settled adulthood around this age.

I would recommend to put a divider in for the night, so that both girls and you can some sleep, but not to separate them all the time because the shared experience is also often a bonding occasion, especially when they reaffirm their bond on the day after. Not all piggies are close; that doesn't say that they cannot be best of friends. You are giving Belle breaks and the possibility of an escape, so you are already doing the right thing. Make sure that she has hay, food and a place to crash outside the cage on these days.

 

[jmdwriter]

Thank you for the bump as well as the advice! I'll make sure they get some personal space whenever those rough nights occur, then. I really appreciate it.