Spraying?

[Mischief&Munching]

I've had my girls for just over 5 weeks and we are still struggling to work out which is the dominant one. They generally get along and live happily together, sharing food, hay, hideys etc. They have made rumbling noises towards one another since I've had them but it has never escalated into anything but just now it turned into a little chase and then Sydney raised her bum and sprayed wee at Oreo! She was also bared her teeth. Nothing came of it and they were back to eating hay together 5 mins later. I have read the behaviour guides but am still not confident if this is normal once bonding has already taken place, and what I should or should not be doing. Any help appreciated

 

[Wiebke]

I've had my girls for just over 5 weeks and we are still struggling to work out which is the dominant one. They generally get along and live happily together, sharing food, hay, hideys etc. They have made rumbling noises towards one another since I've had them but it has never escalated into anything but just now it turned into a little chase and then Sydney raised her bum and sprayed wee at Oreo! She was also bared her teeth. Nothing came of it and they were back to eating hay together 5 mins later. I have read the behaviour guides but am still not confident if this is normal once bonding has already taken place, and what I should or should not be doing. Any help appreciated

Hi!

It sounds perfectly normal to me!

By far not all bonds are formed with a very dominant piggy so you do not necessarily get a cleat idea about who's boss. You should notice the rumbestrutting (which is measuring up with each other in a peaceful way) usually when one of them is coming into season.

 

[Mischief&Munching]

Thank you for replying and it's reassuring to know you think it's normal. In the last 5 mins we have just had Sydney spray Oreo again after Oreo keeps following and sniffing her bum, there is a bit of squealing but not too loud or dramatic and some facing off. I guess I'm just a little worried about leaving them together overnight!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for replying and it's reassuring to know you think it's normal. In the last 5 mins we have just had Sydney spray Oreo again after Oreo keeps following and sniffing her bum, there is a bit of squealing but not too loud or dramatic and some facing off. I guess I'm just a little worried about leaving them together overnight!

Sounds typical for a sow coming into season.

Please read these two guides here. You will find them very helpful and illuminating:
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)

 

[Mischief&Munching]

Thank you again, those guides are indeed very helpful, it does sound very much like she is coming into season. I will leave them be for the night and hope things settle down in a few days, it's just not nice to watch from the outside looking in!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you again, those guides are indeed very helpful, it does sound very much like she is coming into season. I will leave them be for the night and hope things settle down in a few days, it's just not nice to watch from the outside looking in!

It should be all over in a day or so I would think. you will get used to these mad days over time.