Nervous about sows being grumpy with each other!

[TinyPiggies]

My sister guinea pigs are about 3 months old and they seem particularly grumpy with each other today. I haven't managed to work out who is boss and I don't think that they have either. I'm a bit nervous if this is normal dominance behaviour or if they could fall out. I have never seen them mounting each other before but today I saw the little one try and fail to mount the big one, and then the big once very definitely pushed little ones head/chin up. Is she saying she is boss? She also comes for food first and snatches food often. Any does or don'ts while this is going on?

 

[Claire W]

You may find that one or both have come in to season in which case, they are displaying normal dominant behaviour. Only if you see lunges or if one isn’t allowed to eat or rest without being bullied by the other should you keep a close eye on them.

Mounting is perfectly normal and is displayed by both boars and sows

This thread may help you When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)

 

[Wiebke]

My sister guinea pigs are about 3 months old and they seem particularly grumpy with each other today. I haven't managed to work out who is boss and I don't think that they have either. I'm a bit nervous if this is normal dominance behaviour or if they could fall out. I have never seen them mounting each other before but today I saw the little one try and fail to mount the big one, and then the big once very definitely pushed little ones head/chin up. Is she saying she is boss? She also comes for food first and snatches food often. Any does or don'ts while this is going on?

Hi!

Just sit it out; it should be over within a day or so. What you are dealing with is likely the run up for a stronger season, which are not at all uncommon for this age when the first teenage hormones are starting to kick in.

Fall-outs in sows are pretty rare but sibling rivalries can mean that teenage sisters are actually more often squabbling, especially when in season and during the teenage months than not related sows in my own experience - similar to human siblings. Nothing like your siblings to dish it out and make up again... It is unfortunately a fallacy to think that piggy siblings are naturally best of friends; it is quite often more a case of me against you and us against the world.

Here is more information on sow behaviour and seasons:
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)

 

[TinyPiggies]

Hi!

Just sit it out; it should be over within a day. What you are dealing with is like the run up for a stronger season, which are not at all uncommon for this age when the first teenage hormones are starting to kick in.

Fall-outs in sows are pretty rare but sibling rivalries can mean that teenage sisters are actually more often squabbling, especially when in season and during the teenage months than not related sows in my own experience - similar to human siblings. Nothing like your siblings to dish it out and make up again... It is unfortunately a fallacy to think that piggy siblings are naturally best of friends; it is quite often more a case of me against you and us against the world.

Here is more information on sow behaviour and seasons:
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)

Thank you for the reassurance!