Sow bonding issue

[Keelaine]

Hi everyone,

I need a bit of advice here.

I have kept my older sow (chocolate) for close to 5 years. I have recently introduce another sow(Oreo) a few months back as I wanted to get a companion for chocolate. I read that introducing a young pig will be better as there will be a higher chance of successful bonding.

I introduced them on a neutral ground and things seems fine and I placed both of them in the cage. However chocolate would nip on Oreo whenever Oreo smells her butt or go pass her, even during playtime.. It seems like she doesn't want Oreo to be close to her. At times I see them raise their chins against each other and Oreo will shake her butt and rumble while chocolate would like stand there. It has been 3 months and things are still happening with the recent case, Oreo spraying pee at chocolate.. No blood is drawn for now..

I really don't know what to do now..I really wanted them to bond but seems like things are not happening.. 8...

 

[Wiebke]

Good news: Bonding is in full swing and has already moved on from initial acceptance into the dominance phase where your girls are sorting out the hierarchy and which shape their relationship is going to take. Things are going OK - none of what you are seeing are more than mild to medium dominance behaviour and pretty par for the course.

Here is on more on sow behaviour:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38561

 

[Keelaine]

So I should just leave them be? I was worried that chocolate is bullying Oreo.. So I have been observing them..

 

[Wiebke]

Don't interrupt, please.

Bonding is not for the fainthearted, but you only want to separate when there are bloody fights (and you can't mistake that!) or extreme bullying, like keeping a piggy from eating, sleeping or drinking over a protracted time - this does NOT include pushing the underpiggy off the food bowl to make sure who has first choice! If you wish, you can offer two food bowls spaced a little bit apart or one bigger bowl or plate and two hideys. Anything else you have to sit out. Continue to keep an eye on the two, but I wouldn't expect any major problems.

 

[Keelaine]

Ok.. Thanks for your replies wiebke.. At least I know things are still going fine.. *** it has been 3 months that's why I was beginning to worry..

 

[Piggienewbie]

Ok.. Thanks for your replies wiebke.. At least I know things are still going fine.. *** it has been 3 months that's why I was beginning to worry..

I am having this EXACT issue, my younger piggy is nippy and nosey... we shall preserver. Mine are very rumbly last-night/today, something I have not experienced before.... I think the little one is sticking herself where it isn't wanted.

 

[Keelaine]

I am having this EXACT issue, my younger piggy is nippy and nosey... we shall preserver. Mine are very rumbly last-night/today, something I have not experienced before.... I think the little one is sticking herself where it isn't wanted.

Oh mine, it is good to know that I'm not the only one..Let's preserve and hang on! still hoping that one fine day, I'll see them cuddle together >.<

 

[Wiebke]

I am having this EXACT issue, my younger piggy is nippy and nosey... we shall preserver. Mine are very rumbly last-night/today, something I have not experienced before.... I think the little one is sticking herself where it isn't wanted.

It sounds like she is in season - girls may mount each other when they do.

Each relationship is different; it's like pairing up two humans at work...
Generally, I prefer to take a single piggy to a good rescue that offers piggy dating, so they can make their own choice who they get on best with, but that is not an option everywhere.

I get those behaviours in my Tribe (a group of 10 sows and a neutered boar) on a regular basis. Some girls are more dominant than others and are trying how much they can get away with, especially when they are youngsters.

 

[Keelaine]

It sounds like she is in season - girls may mount each other when they do.

Each relationship is different; it's like pairing up two humans at work...
Generally, I prefer to take a single piggy to a good rescue that offers piggy dating, so they can make their own choice who they get on best with, but that is not an option everywhere.

I get those behaviours in my Tribe (a group of 10 sows and a neutered boar) on a regular basis. Some girls are more dominant than others and are trying how much they can get away with, especially when they are youngsters.

From where I live, we don't have a guinea pig resue here.. And yes that's exactly what Oreo is trying to do.. Testing her ground.. Whenever chocolate goes for a drink she follows and try to drink as well and whenever chocolate chew on their wooden house, Oreo who wasn't doing it would also try to do the same.. Not only that, she would try to snatch away the same spot that chocolate was chewing from..