Siblings fighting

[Willow&Maple]

Hi all, we're a few weeks in with still.incrsibly skittish piggies. One will pop their head out and grab food if your arms length but other than this our approach terrifies them.

We're taking it slow.

The issue is now, occasionally they (two sisters) fight, and it cam get quite aggressive. We were told by the breeder that siblings don't fight, and when we approached for advice we were told it was unheard of.

Help

 

[Piggies&buns]

Siblings absolutely can and do fall out - it comes down to character compatibility just as any other bond does. Being related makes no difference to their ability to form and maintain a bond.

It’s essential that you don’t misunderstand the use of the words fighting and aggression. A fight is unmistakable and immediately bond breaking. If a fight occurs the piggies must be immediately and permanently separated.
Fights do happen with sows, but a full fight is more of a boar thing. Sows tend to be more devious about their dislikes of each other meaning you need to read between the lines a bit more. An actual sow fight (and failing bond) can include pulling chunks of hair out of each other.
Also not to confuse their hormonal behaviour with being in season (which occurs around every 15-17 days) which is normal.
Dominance is normal and does not require any separations etc to be taken. It is not fighting

Thread 'Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs'

Feb 3, 2009

1 List of dominance behaviours in ascending order of aggression
2 What may cause this type of behaviour in boars?
3 When do you see these behaviours in sows?
4 What can trigger fall-outs?
5 Further helpful guide links


I thought it may be handy to have a sticky on typical dominance behaviours for a reference - hopefully it may help humans understand guinea pigs and their behaviour a bit more and hopefully prevent some avoidable problems!


1 List of dominance behaviours...

• boureki
• Replies: 100
• Forum: Behaviour, Bonds and Species Understanding

• 

Thread 'Bonds In Trouble'

Oct 30, 2017

1 Causes for bonds to fall apart
2 Bonds in Crisis
- What are the signs of a dysfunctional bond?
- Bullying
- How can I test whether a bond is no longer working?
3 Failed bonds and what next?
- What to do if my piggies have had a major fight?
- When rebonding doesn't work out


1 Causes for bonds to fall apart

Every fall-out has of course its own...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Behaviour, Bonds and Species Understanding

• 

Thread 'When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)'

Feb 9, 2018

Strong Seasons


Strong pheromone output by both new boars or other sows in season can sometimes trigger several sows close enough in their oestrus cycle to spontaneously come into season, too, which results in some very lively times!

During the initial stage, sows coming into season tend to mainly chase and mount other sows just below her in the hierarchy (or lacking that, the sow just above in the rankins or a submissive or gentle husboar). They will only mate at the end of the season.

Here you can see Briallen chasing mainly her next lower ranked undersow...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Behaviour, Bonds and Species Understanding

• 

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all, we're a few weeks in with still.incrsibly skittish piggies. One will pop their head out and grab food if your arms length but other than this our approach terrifies them.

We're taking it slow.

The issue is now, occasionally they (two sisters) fight, and it cam get quite aggressive. We were told by the breeder that siblings don't fight, and when we approached for advice we were told it was unheard of.

Help

Hi and welcome


In my own experience, there is nothing like litter sisters when it comes to squabbling. Sibling rivalry is live and kicking. However, you do not need to worry about bites; it shouldn't get past tussles.

Make sure that you only have huts and tunnels with at least two exits.

 

[Wheekallweek]

Hi and welcome


In my own experience, there is nothing like litter sisters when it comes to squabbling. Sibling rivalry is live and kicking. However, you do not need to worry about bites; it shouldn't get past tussles.

Make sure that you only have huts and tunnels with at least two exits.

I agree - siblings can sometimes be the worst for fighting I think!