Is this just going into heat or something worse?

[RosieLily]

Hi and thanks for tuning in,

I tried searching and searching but couldn’t find information I could fully relate to.

I have two girls, both around 8-9 months old. One of the girls, Lily, seems to go into heavy season every few weeks. Her “downstairs area” is swollen, she’s rumbling, mounting, doing the butt wiggle dance, all in all being a nightmare for her sister, Rosie, to deal with. It lasts for a few days, then Rosie has enough, kicks her butt and Lily settles down again.

Like this, every few weeks.

Is this just a hormonal thing? Are cysts anything to worry about here? I’m aware “aggression” tends to accompany the cysts but I’m unsure if it’s constant or comes in waves.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Sows will come into season roughly every two weeks, she is hormonal teenager and what you are describing souns like she is just in season and it is certainly not aggression.
Ovarian cysts don’t typically tend to affect piggies until after they are older than two years old.

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

do they have a big enough cage so they can have space from each other?

 

[RosieLily]

Sows will come into season roughly every two weeks, she is hormonal teenager and what you are describing souns like she is just in season and it is certainly not aggression.
Ovarian cysts don’t typically tend to affect piggies until after they are older than two years old.

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

do they have a big enough cage so they can have space from each other?

Thank you, I will read up on the link you’ve sent me! Both of the pigs have a vet appointment coming up in a few weeks, but I am a worrier.


Their cage is very large but Lily is rather determined. I just hope she is comfortable.

Happy holidays from me and the girls!

 

[Piggies&buns]

It doesn’t sound like you need to worry in this case - it sounds like all normal behaviour. Always good to have a vet check done though if you are concerned.

Ensure their cage is at least 120x60cm and that all hideys have two exits so she cannot corner her cagemate.