Is she being bullied?

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annaa

annaa

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We got our two sows a week ago - Janey (2ish) and Millie (1ish). Now that they've had a chance to settle and relax in their new home Janey is becoming increasingly more aggessive towards Millie. There is often lots of rumbling from her and, if they end up in the same house in the cage, lots of squeaking from Millie. She will deliberately follow Millie around the cage and chase her out of each house in turn, or stop her from coming out for hay. Earlier we aere sat on the sofa, one pig each and they were both making happy noises, Rob put Janey on my lap with Millie, she immediately starts rumbing and then after a few minutes (dispite being given equal attention) she's got her head under Millie and is flicking her up in the air and then seemed to go for her (though no blood drawn as we seperated pretty quick)
The cage behaviour was much worse just after we put them back in after this, it's been quite for about an hour now, but Janey has just some out of the house she is in and prowled into Millie's, cue rumbling and squeaking and then calmly walked out again with Millie making little wheeking noises.
I had assumed that they were a bonded pair when we got them, and had come in for rehoming as such....is this normal behaviour for a pair of sows? Is it just the new situation that is making Janey feel like she needs to reassert her dominance? Am I worrying about nothing? Reassurance please!
 
Thanks for the link, was very helpful!
From reading everything posted on there I guess my only remaining concern is that they have never cuddled up together, except for the first couple of days when they hardly moved because they were so scared. They are always one in one house, one in the other........
 
I suspect they are sorting out who's boss as they are in a new place rolleyes

Personally I am not a huge fan of hideys & I would remove them if it was me until things settle down.
 
annaa said:
We got our two sows a week ago - Janey (2ish) and Millie (1ish). Now that they've had a chance to settle and relax in their new home Janey is becoming increasingly more aggessive towards Millie. There is often lots of rumbling from her and, if they end up in the same house in the cage, lots of squeaking from Millie. She will deliberately follow Millie around the cage and chase her out of each house in turn, or stop her from coming out for hay. Earlier we aere sat on the sofa, one pig each and they were both making happy noises, Rob put Janey on my lap with Millie, she immediately starts rumbing and then after a few minutes (dispite being given equal attention) she's got her head under Millie and is flicking her up in the air and then seemed to go for her (though no blood drawn as we seperated pretty quick)
The cage behaviour was much worse just after we put them back in after this, it's been quite for about an hour now, but Janey has just some out of the house she is in and prowled into Millie's, cue rumbling and squeaking and then calmly walked out again with Millie making little wheeking noises.
I had assumed that they were a bonded pair when we got them, and had come in for rehoming as such....is this normal behaviour for a pair of sows? Is it just the new situation that is making Janey feel like she needs to reassert her dominance? Am I worrying about nothing? Reassurance please!
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I'm surprised that 2 sows are fighting like this? Especially if they lived and you rehomed them together? Please dont be offended but is there cage large enough for them both to not feel the need to get territorial? I think there is bullying going on here and id advise they be seperated to avoid scuffles and injuries..
 
They are in a 120 ferplast cage (intending to go down the c&c route at a later date, but at the moment I need a top to their cage otherwise my children would be in there with them!)
I'm really surprised too and have emailed the women I got them from who has confirmed that they came in as a pair.
The arguing has gone up a level this morning, both rumbling, some rumbling-strutting and bottom nipping from janey.......:(
 
This could be due to their small cage. It will be good when they have a bigger cage and can have more space. This is common with sows and I have heard of this behaviour many times so do not think this is abnormal in any way.
 
You may find that it's worse when one is in season. One of my pigs makes life miserable for the other two when she's in season - she's even tried to nip me when she's been particularly grumpy. The rest of the time she's as sweet as anything. When you get used to them, you will see if there are patterns to their behaviour. Mine don't cuddle together either, except if it's chilly in winter!
 
As everyone says, should settle down when they get accustomed to the new space. Personally I'd be weighing Millie more often than usual though, if it seems like Janey is keeping her away from the food! Just to make sure she's getting her fair share.
 
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