Problems in my herd.

[piggyfan]

Just now something very strange happened. Amina tried to kiss Amelia Jane and she got so annoyed and complained at her for ages. She was making a noise that sounded like she would teeth chatter. The next thing Sophie was looking into the cabin were Marble was and they started teeth chattering. Sophie lunged at Marble and they were fighting. I rushed over with my partner and he took Sophie out. It is almost like due to Marble being unwell they are challenging her for the position of boss. Has anybody experienced anything like this? I do not know what to do. If I separate Marble until she is well then I think once she is introduced they will fight for dominance again and what if they fall out?

 

[flintstones]

Yes - Guinea pigs do try and take over the herd when the boss is unwell personally I would have Marble separated she doesn't need any additional stress.

 

[Wiebke]

Dominance struggles break out when the top sow is either removed or too ill to hang onto her position, so you are currently in a tough place. It depends on how ill Marble is whether you need to separate her or not (is her weight stable?). If she is ill enough that you get major dominance discussions, personally, I'd separate. Marble shpuld be able to retake her place when she is well again, even if that may take some days and a few more scuffles.

Please don't interrupt if you have minor scuffles (we call them "handbags at dawn" ). They are usually not bloody, as sows - unlike boars - rely on working together as a group for survival, but they are important to sort out the new hierarchy.

 

[piggyfan]

Thank you very much. It happened again so I have divided the cage. I have four girls in only four by three which is awful. Lets hope Marble gets better soon so things can get back to normal. I am so worried they will all fight when re introduced again.

 

[Wiebke]

There will be certainly some discussions when Marble comes back, but generally a strong leader will be able to take up the reigns with a minimum of fuss and a well dosed show of strength.

Make sure that you stage any intros on neutral ground when you have a few hours time and that you transfer the girls back into a clean cage. If necessary rub all the girls with some dirty rags from with cage, so they smell the same before meeting! Don't intervene if you can help it - the girls need to sort out themselves if they want to work as a functioning group.

 

[piggyfan]

Oh I thought I could just remove the grids. They need to be re introduced again? Oh no. Marble is actually out of the cabin now and sitting by the wall I made. I wonder if that means she misses the others or if she is out as she feels confident nobody will disturbs her. Sophie is so happy running about all excited. I think she believes she is the boss.

 

[Guinea Slave]

They are a nightmare are'nt they! I have had similar problems in the past with my girls and it does all calm down eventually when you put them back. As said, the dominant sow should become the dominant one again or she will slot in somewhere else. But at the moment you don't want it to hamper her recovery.

However to keep the sick one happy (as loneliness may stress her even more) do you have perhaps a quieter one in the remaining herd that she could share ? When I had six this is what I did and I also, where possible, rotated the 'nurse' pig so that it was'nt just the same one each time. This may help her get better quicker and 'muddles' the herd hierarchy whilst they are away too. This has worked for me but it depends on the personalities you have!

Girls certainly can be a bolshy lot and bicker like mad can't they! There are days! malletheadrolleyes

 

[piggyfan]

Thank you for your reply. Last night she seemed so lonely watching her friends through the grids. I removed the separation and everything was fine. Today Sophie, the next in line teeth chattered at her but it was okay. I really do not want to keep her apart from the others as she seemed so sad. I think things will be okay and Sophie will challenge her now and then. Usually Marble constantly snaps at Sophie and now I realise it is to keep her in her place!