When is chasing a bad thing?

Xeinin

New Born Pup
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So I just recently bonded 2 groups together. It was a very very very intense meet and greet that lasted hours.
Group 1 is 3 pigs I am fostering. (All females) (Delilah, youngest. Willow and hazel, 1 years old)
And group 2 is my 2 personal pigs. (Gretchen 4 years old, Astrid less than a year old)
Also all females. One of them(gretchen) is a rescue that nobody wanted because she is fear aggressive. She will bite people and go into attack mode during meet and greets. and also got her in unspeakable horrible conditions. She is scarred up from being in a small cage with another pig without hideys. (She does not bite me and I have learned to work with her and the speed she needs to feel comfortable)


Well it's been about a week.
Dominance is still happening- which I expected but I'm very surprised that there is no problems between my fear aggressive pig and the 3 fosters.
There is rumble strutting and mounting but then grooming eachorher afterwards.
This is the first time I've seen Gretchen so happy actually.

However. It's my other younger pig that is striking concern, named Astrid.
It seems like her behavior is almost antisocial.

She keeps away from all of the other pigs unless i bring out veggies. And of the other pigs do come close to her (other than gretchen) she chases them. Even corners them and nips at them 3 to 4 times over and over while the other piggy is squeeking in submission dramatically loudly.
There is no blood being drawn but I can't help but just be concerned that she hates them.
It just seems "over the top" especually seeing gretchen who is definitely over the top.
I occasionally see Astrid eating then when another pig comes up to eat also- she freezes and then after a second or two- she lunges out and a crazy chase happens. Like. I mean mock four- running as fast as they can around the cage.
Sometimes Astrid will feel satisfied and stop chasing- but I've also seen her creep up on the other pigs- corner them on a far end of the c&c 2x8 cage and nip at them repeatedly.

From what I said. Should I be concerned?

The other 4 pigs don't seem to mind her except 2.
Hazel and Delilah.
They will run if Astrid freezes. And also submissivrly squeeks if she waddles by them when they are in a hidey (with multiple exits even)

I hope I made sense. I did read the forums on greeting and stuff (which made me so happy because it brought validation that I was doing things during the meet and greet/beginning bonding stage) I'll answer any questions if anyone is left confused.

Astrid WILL NOT mess with Gretchen though. She is the "don't f with me" type of personality. Lol FB_IMG_1626112970114.webpFB_IMG_1626113112200.webpFB_IMG_1626113118536.webpreceived_2994939174105001.webp
 
I’m not too familiar with sows. It does take two weeks after bonding for the hierarchy to be established. I wonder if she’s making sure they know her position - second in line? Had this behaviour been going on for the whole week?

Using the guide below, where would you put her in terms of dominance level? The thing with sows is they’re sometimes more subtle when they don’t like each other. They are known to nip, a way of exerting their dominance. Maybe have a read of the second guide below and see where things sit. Did you bond the fosters with an aim to keep them permanently?

Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Bonds In Trouble
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
 
I’m not too familiar with sows. It does take two weeks after bonding for the hierarchy to be established. I wonder if she’s making sure they know her position - second in line? Had this behaviour been going on for the whole week?

Using the guide below, where would you put her in terms of dominance level? The thing with sows is they’re sometimes more subtle when they don’t like each other. They are known to nip, a way of exerting their dominance. Maybe have a read of the second guide below and see where things sit. Did you bond the fosters with an aim to keep them permanently?

Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Bonds In Trouble
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
At first she was the most reserved and submissive one.
And she runs/submissive squeeks from hazel. One of the fosters.
So maybe. I'm just following the "if there is no blood shed-leave them alone"
It just stresses me out that one day I might get home from work to one of the pigs being super hurt. Or if there is actually some bullying going on.
I love ALL of them so much and i selfishly want them all to get along in this perfect little world 🤣

I could just be over thinking it and letting my anxiety get the better of me.
The nipping does concern me, however.
I don't see any of the pigs full on "charging" the other cage mates. It's just Astrid. I haven't seen them do the repeated jabbing nips either.
I'll re-read the posts and see if I can't get any comfort from missed information.
 
I'm wondering if Astrid is trying to overly assert her dominance over the new pigs to attempt to maintain her position in the hierarchy? I've never had a group, however just went through something similar when introducing a new companion to Leela, who had lost her older cagemate and boss pig and decided that she was going to be the boss of the new baby and had to keep reminding her CONSTANTLY by nipping at her. It's been a couple weeks and fortunately has settled down a lot, but it was alarming to see her so bossy to a baby who was showing her absolutely no resistance!

Also, good job with Gretchen... I'm glad she's so happy. It seems like she had a really rough start and you are giving her such a good life. It made me happy to read. :)
 
I'm wondering if Astrid is trying to overly assert her dominance over the new pigs to attempt to maintain her position in the hierarchy? I've never had a group, however just went through something similar when introducing a new companion to Leela, who had lost her older cagemate and boss pig and decided that she was going to be the boss of the new baby and had to keep reminding her CONSTANTLY by nipping at her. It's been a couple weeks and fortunately has settled down a lot, but it was alarming to see her so bossy to a baby who was showing her absolutely no resistance!

Also, good job with Gretchen... I'm glad she's so happy. It seems like she had a really rough start and you are giving her such a good life. It made me happy to read. :)
Thank you! Sorry for the late response. But I'm pretty sure thats it.
Astrid seems to be calming down a bit and I read a few posts on people experiencing the same thing. So I'm sure it's normal and she is just extra bossy lol
 
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