Is This Playing/bullying/fighting?

[Chukkin]

Hi all,

My two girls have gotten along well since I brought them home two weeks ago and have made good progress regarding eating out of my hands. Today, when I got home, I have noticed a new behaviour and since I am new to the piggie world, I'm sure exactly sure what I am seeing! Basically, Ivory (the dominant one) is in the wooden log tunnel which they hide in together, and every time Ebony goes through it, I can hear one squeaking (not angry/afraid/in pain - just the normal bubbly squeaks) and the other is either grumbling or purring. Then Ebony runs out of the tunnel, sometimes followed by Ivory.
What are they doing? Is it just a game? Neither seems to be sporting an injury and there is no sign of blood or anything. Have just given them their veggies, and they are still eating. Over the last few days, I have noticed that Ivory always eats out of my hand first, and Ebony tries to eat it out of Ivory's mouth.
I don't understand what's going on? Is this something I should be worried about?

 

[Jerrybelly]

This can be normal dominance behaviour, which is often made worse when one of the piggies is in season. As long as there are no signs of blood drawn or actual fighting then it should settle down in a few days.

 

[VickiA]

Sounds like normal dominance behaviour to me. Watch out for when they come into season and how the hormones change their behaviour!

 

[Chukkin]

Hey - UPDATE! Ebony (submissive one) is definitely in season and is rumble-strutting everywhere and trying to come on to Ivory who is squeaking like crazy and trying to run away! Is there something I should do? Separate them? Leave them to it?
Also, and I apologise for this in advance, but there is now a funny smell coming from their cage (not the normal smells, this is different) - is that normal?

 

[VickiA]

Let them get on with it unless anyone is getting seriously hurt. My sows chase each other and do all of this when in season. Not sure about the smell. Have you checked wees and poos to see if there is any sign of infection or loose stools? Certain foods can make their poos smell funny.

 

[Briony_S]

Girls do this type of behaviour as well as boys but normally no smell with girls. Could the smell be something else in cage? Or have you fed them something that might have made them a bit gassey like cabbage?

 

[Chukkin]

I have observed over yesterday evening and this morning, and they seem to have settled a bit - no more rumble-strutting! And the smell was just a waft of something which disappeared after about 10 mins. Could have been anything I suppose - the window was open a little so it could have even been something outside.