Bizzare bond changes

[Megham]

Hi everyone! Looking for advice / expertise from anyone experienced with girls and their complexities haha

I have 3 girls, Fern (the oldest) and Peaches and Bear who I've had for a year and a bit now.
The hairchy is normally as follows; Peaches (most dominant pig I've ever had) > Bear > Fern.

Fern is a small pig while Peaches and Bear are biggg girls so she's always been the most submissive, most moved on and pushed around. Bear can stand her ground as she's huge but doesn't seem too fussed on being too pushy. Peaches is gigantic and hugely dominant, regularly rumble strutting.

The last week Fern seemed a bit subdued and was being pushed around more by Peaches than normal. I wouldn't say they have the most harmonious bond I've ever seen but they do share food / sometimes sleep next to each other and generally co-exist. I think Bear and Fern would be completely fine with each other and it's more Peaches who causes the anxiety in the cage due to being quite pushy.

However last night / this morning Fern is relentlessly humping Peaches! And she's allowing her too. There's a lot of chasing / nose bashing and submissive noises. It's a bit chaotic in there and I'm worried if it may escalate. But it seems Fern is pushing to be top pig! Has anyone ever experienced a big shake up in the bond after a long time or have any advice for how I can support them to work through it?

They're getting lots of hay and food at this time to make sure there's no reason for disputes. Thanks all!

 

[Betsy]

It could be that Fern is having a strong season or it could be something else.

Years ago I had a change in hierarchy of top pig. DA BOSS Velvet relinqushed her status as top pig (she was very dominant and stopped trouble before it even started and no piggy dared mess with her) to her second in command Silver Fox Christian. I was very surprised at this because Velvet never let any pig get away with challenging her. It turned out she wasn't well but I didn't realise it at the time. Christian picked up on this and took advantage. Maybe you should get Peaches vet checked just to make sure that there isn't anything amiss. It won't do any harm. It may be something subtle that you haven't picked up on yet but the piggies have.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

I agree with @Betsy and a vet check would be a good idea incase there is a health issue.
When it comes to humping due to a strong season, its not about dominance and someone trying to make a power grab but is about a desire to mate. If two sows are in season together this is not uncommon behaviour and it is not necessarily the dominant sow who will be doing the humping. Also, from my experience strong seasons tend to be more common as we come onto spring.