Post Surgery Re-bonding

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stripeybeanie

stripeybeanie

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Hi I'm hoping for some advice on re-bonding my sows after Beatrix (usually dominant) had surgery nearly 2 weeks ago. She's starting to get her strength back but we're struggling to get her and Dot back together.
They play on the floor well (even popcorned together tonight). But when we try Dot back in the main house she gets aggressive at Bea who gets scared and submits, usually ends up cowering in the corner squeaking. It breaks my heart!
We had a breakthrough last night though when Bea stood up to Dot & asserted her rightful boss position in the house. But I could tell the face-offs and chasing (& Dot even tried humping her too) were exhausting for Bea and I didn't want her getting stressed so we separated them overnight & whilst we were at work just in case. Then tonight we tried again. Floor time great but in the house it was back to Dot intimidating & chasing. We left it & waited. Bea tried standing up to her - even pounced at one point! but she gave up & ended up cowering in the corner. I never know how long to try them together for, when, if Bea's ready, if they've been too long apart...
Btw, Dot's about 10-12 months old & only lived with us about 10 weeks. They bonded well initially but Dots getting bolder & boisterous just as Bea needs a break! It's so worrying!
 
Oh dear you are going through a tough time by the sounds of it! Wiebke will soon give advice, but she told me (After similar thing happened to my girls post op) to either try a bonding bath which I did, then I put them in a run together with a lot of food & hay afterwards. I did this in the morning & it took a few hours but by early evening they were grooming each other :) It is very nerve wracking, but you have to leave them together to sort it out & do not separate them unless there is loud teeth clacking & lunging or proper fighting. Make sure you are nearby with a blanket to throw over them if they fight. If this is successful put them in their house together which must be totally clean, thoroughly hot wash bedding & hidies etc. You will need nerves of steel but don't give up yet, good luck :). Just to add, my dominant sow would chase the post op one & she would squeal as if she was being murdered! She also nipped her a few times on her bum, but she backed down & now they are settled back to how they were pre op :)
 
Thanks @Poppy'sMum maybe we're being over cautious but it's hard to know when Bea's strong enough. Also bec we both work full time I don't want to do it and just leave them. We'll retry tomorrow night but definitely would appreciate any other tips please! @Wiebke ? X
 
stripeybeanie said:
Hi I'm hoping for some advice on re-bonding my sows after Beatrix (usually dominant) had surgery nearly 2 weeks ago. She's starting to get her strength back but we're struggling to get her and Dot back together.
They play on the floor well (even popcorned together tonight). But when we try Dot back in the main house she gets aggressive at Bea who gets scared and submits, usually ends up cowering in the corner squeaking. It breaks my heart!
We had a breakthrough last night though when Bea stood up to Dot & asserted her rightful boss position in the house. But I could tell the face-offs and chasing (& Dot even tried humping her too) were exhausting for Bea and I didn't want her getting stressed so we separated them overnight & whilst we were at work just in case. Then tonight we tried again. Floor time great but in the house it was back to Dot intimidating & chasing. We left it & waited. Bea tried standing up to her - even pounced at one point! but she gave up & ended up cowering in the corner. I never know how long to try them together for, when, if Bea's ready, if they've been too long apart...
Btw, Dot's about 10-12 months old & only lived with us about 10 weeks. They bonded well initially but Dots getting bolder & boisterous just as Bea needs a break! It's so worrying!
Click to expand...

What you are experiencing is dominance behaviour. Dot is obviously a very amibitious character and needs to assert her dominance over Bea. She is feeling rather possessive about the cage and sees it at hers to reign over.
Please make sure that a) have cleaned out (including walls and furnishings) the cage or hutch
that b) you have got alternative housing, ideally with two exits, so no piggy can be cornered.

You have to commit and let the girls work it out between them. If you constantly separate, they will struggle to complete them, and it will really frustrate Dot and lead to her overreacting. By two weeks, Dot's scars should have knitted completely. Keep weighing her daily until you are sure that they have settled down well together.
 
Thanks @Wiebke so do you think Dot might become the new leader? When Bea's sister Leeloo was alive she was the boss most of the time & Bea was cool with that. I suppose it's natural for Bea to be the boss as she's older but she's quieter since her op and Dot is very boisterous and strong although smaller.
 
Ooh forgot to say... We bathed them both with piggy shampoo this morning and thoroughly cleaned the original house, putting them both in after they'd had a bit of floor time to dry off. Their bemusement at the whole situation seemed to unite them a little and they've been fairly quiet for a while. Bit of chasing each way but nothing dramatic. Fingers crossed!
In the week we're going to build them a new even bigger house to give them a bit more space which should also help.
 
It can well be that Dot is the new leader. Not every piggy is by nature good at or even inclined to take the responsibility; the same as humans!

Bathing is only necessary to wash the testosterone stink out of fall-out boars' fur before you try a re-introduction, otherwise it won't make a difference.
 
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