Their 1st Fight

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Beckybex

Beckybex

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O dear so tonight I witnessed my girls having there 1st fight. There was squeaking and teeth chatting and nipping it was a bit scary to be honest. I didn't like it. I had no idea what to do. I kinda left them to it but made sure neither of them went to far. Not sure I did the right thing. Any advice would be great. X
 
Beckybex said:
O dear so tonight I witnessed my girls having there 1st fight. There was squeaking and teeth chatting and nipping it was a bit scary to be honest. I didn't like it. I had no idea what to do. I kinda left them to it but made sure neither of them went to far. Not sure I did the right thing. Any advice would be great. X
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Hi! How old are your girls and how long have you had them? How good is their usual relationship?
 
I've had them 5 weeks yesterday. they are about 7 months old (they were about 17 weeks when i got them) they are normally really good. it was totally out of the norm. x
 
Beckybex said:
I've had them 5 weeks yesterday. they are about 7 months old (they were about 17 weeks when i got them) they are normally really good. it was totally out of the norm. x
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Thanks - that helps a lot! Sows at that age can suffer from hormonal spikes the same as boys, but as it doesn't usually end up in full-on fights with serious bites, it is much less well known. Most episodes are connected with a strong season. In your case, the bond is still relatively new and there is likely still some lingering dominance dispute lurking. Things should hopefully calm down again by tomorrow.
You may find these links here helpful:
Sow Behaviour
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
 
Brilliant thank you they are sisters (from the same litter) so I did kinda think must just be a sisterly tiff x
 
Beckybex said:
Brilliant thank you they are sisters (from the same litter) so I did kinda think must just be a sisterly tiff x
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In my own experience, most of my sister pairs and trios that I have adopted are pretty squabbly!

They will generally settle down again, but dominance can be more disputed and going right up to the wire than with unrelated guinea pigs that have not grown up together. :mal:
 
Do i leave them to just get on with it then. It was scary stuff. Looking at them now you wouldn't believe it lol cuddled up together like nothing had happened x
 
As long as no blood is being drawn and one pig isn't constantly harassing and chasing the other, then they are just 'discussing' who is going to be in charge.
It looks (and sometimes sounds) awful, but it is also important they get to work things out in their own language.
We have been through a couple of bouts of this with our girls, and I am continually referring back t the bonding thread Wiebke linked to above.
 
Beckybex said:
Do i leave them to just get on with it then. It was scary stuff. Looking at them now you wouldn't believe it lol cuddled up together like nothing had happened x
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As long it doesn't descent into a full-on fight, you leave piggies be. If necessary, remove any hidey with just one exit and make sure that there are no corners where a piggy can get caught in.

It should hopefully be mostly over by today.
 
Thank you. They seem to be OK today. There jumping around so guessing it's over with lol. Thank you x
 
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