Hops_in_Heaven
Junior Guinea Pig
Happy New Year! I just want to ask a question about the way my piggies were acting the other day. It was interesting and I would love to hear some opinions on it! 
I have a herd of four sows, all somewhere between a year and half and almost three years of age. Below, from left to right, are Cuddles, Tickles, Bliss and Frolic. Bliss and Cuddles are sisters. Frolic is Tickles's mother.
I have always believed the hierarchy to begin with Bliss as the leader, followed by Frolic, Cuddles and then Tickles. They get along great, with any arguments generally involving Cuddles in some way. I jokingly call her socially awkward. She can never seem to sit somewhere or eat hay from the rack unless she is stealing her spot from someone else. She'll sit really close to a pig and complain until they leave, or touch another pig's bum constantly until they leave in a huff. Since she is rather low on the hierarchy, she's frequently reminded of her position with small nips and by getting her chin forced up from Bliss and Frolic.
Besides that, everyone gets along amazingly well. Until now, Bliss always seemed to be the undisputed leader. She is the bravest and friendliest pig, always first to investigate a new thing. She even knows her own name and always comes to see me. She used to be the sort of pig who forced others out of their hiding spots, taking them for herself. Back when I only had one water bottle, she used to sit in front of it and no let anyone drink (don't worry, I have four water bottles scattered around now). She always broke up arguments by inserting herself in the middle and forcing everyone's chin up, reminding them that the most important thing they know is that she in in charge. She was pushy and bossy, but lately she's been mellowing out. She just peacefully does her own thing and lets arguments resolve themselves.
When I first got Frolic, she really wanted to be in charge, but she was puny since she was maybe like six or eight weeks old. She was quickly put in her spot. She is the most relaxed pig I have ever met. She never gets upset with anyone and usually ends arguments quickly, walking away. She's always curious and looking around at everything going on.
Yesterday, I saw Frolic put her nose under Bliss's chin and force Bliss to put her chin up. Bliss squirmed and tried to get away, but Frolic stood firm. Silly Tickles saw it all and joined Frolic, putting her chin under Bliss's, taking her only chance to feel big. Then Cuddles saw and thought maybe she should join in. Bliss shook off Tickles and Cuddles, but Frolic just put her nose right back under Bliss's chin. Bliss tried to force Frolic's chin up and failed. Bliss gave up and walked away.
So.... does this mean Frolic is the new leader? Everyone is acting the same as ever, peaceful except for when Cuddles instigates something. Bliss and Frolic get on just fine. I haven't seen any other dominance behaviour since then, though I did just get back from work. Any thoughts? Based on this, what do you think the hierarchy is?
I have a herd of four sows, all somewhere between a year and half and almost three years of age. Below, from left to right, are Cuddles, Tickles, Bliss and Frolic. Bliss and Cuddles are sisters. Frolic is Tickles's mother.
I have always believed the hierarchy to begin with Bliss as the leader, followed by Frolic, Cuddles and then Tickles. They get along great, with any arguments generally involving Cuddles in some way. I jokingly call her socially awkward. She can never seem to sit somewhere or eat hay from the rack unless she is stealing her spot from someone else. She'll sit really close to a pig and complain until they leave, or touch another pig's bum constantly until they leave in a huff. Since she is rather low on the hierarchy, she's frequently reminded of her position with small nips and by getting her chin forced up from Bliss and Frolic.
Besides that, everyone gets along amazingly well. Until now, Bliss always seemed to be the undisputed leader. She is the bravest and friendliest pig, always first to investigate a new thing. She even knows her own name and always comes to see me. She used to be the sort of pig who forced others out of their hiding spots, taking them for herself. Back when I only had one water bottle, she used to sit in front of it and no let anyone drink (don't worry, I have four water bottles scattered around now). She always broke up arguments by inserting herself in the middle and forcing everyone's chin up, reminding them that the most important thing they know is that she in in charge. She was pushy and bossy, but lately she's been mellowing out. She just peacefully does her own thing and lets arguments resolve themselves.
When I first got Frolic, she really wanted to be in charge, but she was puny since she was maybe like six or eight weeks old. She was quickly put in her spot. She is the most relaxed pig I have ever met. She never gets upset with anyone and usually ends arguments quickly, walking away. She's always curious and looking around at everything going on.
Yesterday, I saw Frolic put her nose under Bliss's chin and force Bliss to put her chin up. Bliss squirmed and tried to get away, but Frolic stood firm. Silly Tickles saw it all and joined Frolic, putting her chin under Bliss's, taking her only chance to feel big. Then Cuddles saw and thought maybe she should join in. Bliss shook off Tickles and Cuddles, but Frolic just put her nose right back under Bliss's chin. Bliss tried to force Frolic's chin up and failed. Bliss gave up and walked away.
So.... does this mean Frolic is the new leader? Everyone is acting the same as ever, peaceful except for when Cuddles instigates something. Bliss and Frolic get on just fine. I haven't seen any other dominance behaviour since then, though I did just get back from work. Any thoughts? Based on this, what do you think the hierarchy is?
