dominant Sow

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ts1

ts1

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I'm feeling a bit sad because my one little girl (Snow White) has obviously become the dominant one and pushes and shoves the other (Barbie). There has been no fighting, squeaking or anything but Snow White seems to shove Barbie away from the food and whenever Barbie goes to the water bottle Snow White decides she wants to drink and pushes Barbie away.

I am now putting 2 bowls of veggies so that Barbie gets a chance, I have been putting a bowl of water too so that Barbie can drink and I will get another water bottle as well.

I feel very protective towards Barbie and don't want her to be bullied but is this normal behaviour? Does one end up as the dominant one? Barbie is so sweet x). Actually they both are :)) x)
 
You will always have a 'top pig'.. one that is most dominant.
Every now and again, piggies under him/her will push their luck and have to be put down a peg or two.

I myself have 3 pairs of boars. One pair is a 1 year old and a 3 month old, the eldest is top pig so every now and again they have the odd 'boxing match' to settle an arguement.. which is usually over who sleeps which side of their snuggle-oo :)). They soon settle down and act like nothing ever happened.

A little noise and pushing/shoving is normal, only worry when it's happening constantly 24/7 and/or blood is drawn.

I have one very big dry food dish and another veggie dish in each hutch, along with two bater bottles and two 'hideys'. Make sure you have two of pretty much everything, some pigs don't like to share lol.
 
thanks for the info, yes i was wondering if i need 2 of everything, its a shame they don't snuggle together anymore though..... :(
 
Guinea pigs live in strictly hierarchical roaming herds. As soon as you have two guinea pigs, they need to establish a hierarchy first thing.

Unlike humans, guinea pigs have not heard of political correctness; however, they work to a strict protocol that is understood by both sides. They are currently working out how far the top piggy can push the underpiggy and eventually how far the underpiggy will allow itself pushed. The worst of the dominance phase is usually over within a few days to about two weeks. It has nothing to do with how good friends they will eventually become, just on what terms.

Here is more about sow behaviour: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38561
 
oh thank you so much for this, i'm glad that they are hopefully just organising their hierarchy and will hopefully settle down again. :...
 
PS: Screaming from the underpiggy does NOT mean that it is hurt, but submission. Often an underpiggy will start screaming if the top piggy is just coming close; that is usually just before the dominance phase ends.
 
It seems mean to us, but remember that piggies NEED to have a dominant pig- it's how 'guinea pig society' works. And the dominant pig needs a way of showing that she is dominant, and the subordinate pig needs to show submission because this is the structure of guinea pig relationships.

We also have a dominant sow, Linney, and she does the same things that you mention. She makes Sundae wait for a turn at the water bottle and will nose her out of the way if she gets there first, she will take food from Sundae if Linney finishes a treat and Sundae is still eating... yeah, I feel bad for Sundae at times, but this is the structure of their little herd of two, and they would not get along if Sundae was to challenge the status quo. I would say it's only a problem if one pig is not getting it's needs met- ie. the dominant pig won't let the others eat or drink at all, etc. That doesn't happen with our girls- Linney makes sure that Sundae knows who runs the place, but Sundae still gets plenty of food/water/treats/companionship.
 
it looks like so far its fairly normal behaviour, i'll just be keeping an eye that it doesn't get too aggressive then......

can't help but put human emotions into the picture a feel sorry for my adorable barbie though...... :0
 
ts1 said:
it looks like so far its fairly normal behaviour, i'll just be keeping an eye that it doesn't get too aggressive then......

can't help but put human emotions into the picture a feel sorry for my adorable barbie though...... :0
Click to expand...

It's not nice to see sometimes, some of the wheeeeks my lot let out make me think they are in huge amounts of pain @)
 
i'm so happy, Barbie stuck up for herself this morning and wouldn't let Xionati push her away from the veggies and Xionati quickly gave up and they ate side by side. Well done Barbie.

Maybe its settling down....... :)
 
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