What's bullying and what's normal?

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Furries

Furries

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Between sows, what is considered normal behaviour and what is considered bullying? We got a 7-month-old sow off a friend and I think she's bullying my 4-month-old: she frequently nips her; hard enough to make her squeak. The other day we found a bite mark on her ear. She tries to bully the other 4 but they don't put up with it.

Also, this sow tends to keep on the bottom level of their hutch (with the other four on the top level), usually with the other sow she was previously living with. Does this mean it's unlikely they've taken to each other? They've been together two months now. Their total hutch area is about 20 square feet for the six of them, but we're looking for a shed so we can give them more room. They're out on the grass during the day in an 8ftx4ft run. There are four hidey-places, which can fit at least two piggies in each.

Would the dominant sow's behaviour improve if there was a neutered boar in the hutch with them? (Obviously this would be when we'd built them a bigger hutch in the shed.)
 
Two months is a fairly long time for an integration - sometimes, however, it can take longer. You get a certain amount of bullying, especially against younger sows, but so far, I've only had nipping, but not biting.

A boar might help integrating the sows; however, it could well be that he won't be accepted. The best way to make sure that he is, is to see whether you can time the introduction with one of the top sows being in season and therefore more inclined to allow his advances.

But even a boar does not wave a magic wand (despite him trying to prove us wrong! :))), and some sows can be a bit antisocial and not work in a group.
 
There is a fine line between dominance & bullying. Has the dominant 7month old always been this way with the younger sow or just recently? Could she be in season? If the dominant sow isn't allowing the 4 month old to exhibit normal behaviour then i would look at separating them as it isn't fair on the submissive sow.

The addition of a neutered boar doesn't always re-dress the balance & some sows won't accept a boar.
Some boars enjoy heading large herds, others are better with a smaller number & some boars just don't get involved - there are no guarantees, sadly :)
 
The bully has always been this way. The 'bullied' sow has always been the smallest (she was smaller than her sister when we got her), however, she is putting on weight as rapidly as her sister (who is still bigger, but she gives as good as she gets), so it's not like the bully isn't letting her eat or that she's losing weight from stress.

The reason why I haven't split them yet, is that I'm just not clear whether it's hierarchy and therefore normal, or bullying.
 
If she's allowed to go where she chooses & exhibit normal behaviour then i'd not separate. The fact she's gaining weight & gives back indicates she's not stressed by this unwanted behaviour.
You may find the older one will never get along with this sow, why some forge an intense dislike to others i don't know & as long as everyone is happy & no major wounds are being inflicted then i'd leave them to it :)
 
Ive been having the same kind of problem recently. My two girls nip each other sometimes, normally on each others ears, they never draw blood or leave any marks but sometimes they do squeak. They bickerin their hutch sometimes too, and nudge each other. But they both give as good as they get and still act "normally" (eating lots, sleeping running around) and they do cuddle up to each other when they get abit scared. So I think its normal for then to "harass" each other a little, aslong as the victim piggy is still alowed to eat and have her share of the hutch etc then I would say its ok :)
 
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