Worried piggie slave!

[funnehmare]

A couple of days ago my youngest piggie Dodger decided she didn't her position withing the hierarchy and decided to challenge my boss pig Jammy and second Biscuit. Biscuit being a pretty laid back little lady let Dodger move on up the ladder and is now at the bottom. Since then my boss pig has become incredibly dominant to the point I'm concerned about the stress levels of the other two. She lets them eat as long as they are not too close to whatever she has claimed as hers. But she is now rumbling and strutting about constantly and actively seeking Biscuit and Dodger out. She chases them in and out of every hidey they try to escape to. Biscuit has started shrieking which is hard to listen to x>> and continues to shriek even when Jammy is taken away to give the other two a break.

I'm not sure whether to leave them as they are or whether to split them. I'm reluctant to as they've been living perfectly well for the past year or so without any real scuffles, just the occassional squabbles over food. But on the other hand I'm concerned about Biscuit and Dodger's stress levels.

I'm going back home to see my parents for the weekend leaving my partner to look after them. He loves them dearly but isn't quite as confident with them (not for lack of trying!). I'm just fear a big squabble whilst I'm away and unable to do anything about it. The additional problem is if I were to separate them, I'm currently unable to expand their 5 by 4 c&c cage until payday at the end of the month. If I were to divide the cage would they all have adequate room?

Sorry for the essay! I'm not as experienced with Sows, these being my first!

 

[Toffeewoffee]

You would be best to leave them to it, all groups go through stages like this, and some re-asserting their dominance, its normal, and the behavior is totally normal to them, though it seems bad to us sometimes. Unless a serious fight breaks out, let them get on with it, it will probably quieten down in a few days.

 

[funnehmare]

Thanks for replying so quick! It was my first reaction to leave them to resolve it themselves but at times boss pig's displays of dominance border on bullying more than reasserting her status as top pig. She certainly is more aggressive in her tactics than any of my boys were! :{