bonding sow goes into heat

[skippyinspace]

all pigs are sows,
hazel our original pig who recently lost her partner
has now 2 compaions who are sisters and come from a rescue sweet pea and chanel

nonding started with them in cages next to each other, no issues, floor bonding all great nothing of any significance all face licking, ear licking and lots of chatter.

moved them into the new cage which is the origingal cages joined together.

initially sweet pea took to chasing hazel every time she appeared and was but nipping but slowly they could let the other explore. not great but not a fight,

chanel and hazel were fine.

now sweet pea has gone into heat clearly hazel is her favourite as she keeps chasing her are trying to mount her hazel wheeks and runs to her hidy which sweet pea then runs off after a nudge from hazel,
sweet pea will also attempt to mount chanel which is why it seems to be a heat thing.

when hazel is eating they seem to get along ok,

hopefully once sweet pea come out of heat things will settle

 

[Wiebke]

all pigs are sows,
hazel our original pig who recently lost her partner
has now 2 compaions who are sisters and come from a rescue sweet pea and chanel

nonding started with them in cages next to each other, no issues, floor bonding all great nothing of any significance all face licking, ear licking and lots of chatter.

moved them into the new cage which is the origingal cages joined together.

initially sweet pea took to chasing hazel every time she appeared and was but nipping but slowly they could let the other explore. not great but not a fight,

chanel and hazel were fine.

now sweet pea has gone into heat clearly hazel is her favourite as she keeps chasing her are trying to mount her hazel wheeks and runs to her hidy which sweet pea then runs off after a nudge from hazel,
sweet pea will also attempt to mount chanel which is why it seems to be a heat thing.

when hazel is eating they seem to get along ok,

hopefully once sweet pea come out of heat things will settle

Give it a day or two of utter madness - but you will see that going through all the emotional excess has bonded them together much more closely.
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)

 

[Bill & Ted]

I’m sure everything will settle down soon, no major aggression, I think they are just getting to know who’s boss lady x

 

[skippyinspace]

Situation update is all 3 sows over a period of 3 days have gone into heat, no fights just a lot of chasing and humping. Though in general bonding has been successful and our original pig talks non stop. The only teeth grinding occurs from the new pigs towards us when we return them to the cage or put our hand in the cage without food!

 

[Wiebke]

Situation update is all 3 sows over a period of 3 days have gone into heat, no fights just a lot of chasing and humping. Though in general bonding has been successful and our original pig talks non stop. The only teeth grinding occurs from the new pigs towards us when we return them to the cage or put our hand in the cage without food!

Good to hear. Pheromones from a strong season tend to trigger any sows close enough in their estrus cycle. But it serves to really bond the girls together. The rest is just the usual hierarchy confirming mild dominance behaviour which is normal for this stage.