Sow Fallout Due To Illness?

[aimzer]

Daisy and Maple have been bonded since September. They were not particularly easy to bond but we got there in the end with Daisy being top pig. However, Daisy has been receiving treatment for a middle ear infection the past couple of weeks and has been a lot quieter. I am wondering if this would then encourage Maple to test the hierarchy? I came home on Thursday to find a small bite mark on her lip which was totally unexpected as I had not noticed any issues. (mum had been looking after them the previous 2 days). They are still living together and most of the time are ok. They share the veg bowl and the hay pile with no issues. There are however times when Maple chases and mounts Daisy. Lots of rumbling and squeaking but not much else. I am either thinking Maple may be in season or she is trying to be top pig.

What do you guys think? Touchwood I have seen no signs of extreme dominance behaviour so hoping it will settle. I am just concerned as Daisy has obviously bit her at some point and worried she may do it again or worse, have a full blown fight.

 

[Wiebke]

it sounds like Maple is in season. The hierarchy needs to be re-established after any longer absence. Please check and disinfect the wound with either hibiscrub or saline solution, either from the pharmacy or home-made by mixing one teaspoon of salt into one pint of boiled, cooled water. You may find that it is more likely a just graze when Daisy couldn't get out of the way of a swipe quickly enough. If it had been a full-on bite, the atmosphere would be a lot tenser and the lips/mouth area around it would be quite swollen.
I would recommend to give both girls a bowl each and to remove all hideys with just one exit until things have calmed down again.

 

[Julie M]

I can't really offer and advice with sows as I've only ever had boars. But my boys started bickering when Alby had a urine infection. So it may very well be the case. Good luck hope things settle down soon.

 

[aimzer]

it sounds like Maple is in season. The hierarchy needs to be re-established after any longer absence. Please check and disinfect the wound with either hibiscrub or saline solution, either from the pharmacy or home-made by mixing one teaspoon of salt into one pint of boiled, cooled water. You may find that it is more likely a just graze when Daisy couldn't get out of the way of a swipe quickly enough. If it had been a full-on bite, the atmosphere would be a lot tenser and the lips/mouth area around it would be quite swollen.
I would recommend to give both girls a bowl each and to remove all hideys with just one exit until things have calmed down again.

I have been cleaning the wound with salty water as I'm waiting for the chemist to get the hibiscrub in. They did not have any on Friday or Saturday so should have some today. It is not just like a little black scab but it also has bit of her fur coming out of it. She lets me touch it no problem so I'm assuming it's not sore. Ok, I will give them a bowl each and all their hideys have 2 exits apart from the loft area which just has 1 ramp.

 

[aimzer]

I can't really offer and advice with sows as I've only ever had boars. But my boys started bickering when Alby had a urine infection. So it may very well be the case. Good luck hope things settle down soon.

Thanks Julie. They are stubborn little piggies!

 

[Wiebke]

Looks like the saline is doing the trick! Just hope that it is going to settle down again.

 

[A&T]

My two girls use to do this, amber use to give little nips at trixie when she was fed up of it all! It only use to last a week and then they were bsxk to normal! Try not to stress just keep an eye on tjem! But like said my girls use to do it, rumbling and mouting then a few days even hours layer they'd be curled up together!

 

[aimzer]

My two girls use to do this, amber use to give little nips at trixie when she was fed up of it all! It only use to last a week and then they were bsxk to normal! Try not to stress just keep an eye on tjem! But like said my girls use to do it, rumbling and mouting then a few days even hours layer they'd be curled up together!

They seem ok today so hoping the hierarchy is sorted out and Maple was probably in season yesterday as the mounting seems to have stopped I was just shocked that Maple had a bite mark as I really didn't expect that and I know the whole thing about pigs drawing blood etc but it was just a tiny bit so hopefully it'll be ok!

 

[A&T]

They seem ok today so hoping the hierarchy is sorted out and Maple was probably in season yesterday as the mounting seems to have stopped I was just shocked that Maple had a bite mark as I really didn't expect that and I know the whole thing about pigs drawing blood etc but it was just a tiny bit so hopefully it'll be ok!

Yeahh, if anything it was probably daisy got annoyed with maple and gave a little bite! I'm sure ital be okay . I'm glad they seem better today! It was probably just a blip!