Can a pushy sow change her bullying ways?

[Free Ranger]

Flora is a hefty 2 year old piggy ninja. She came to us in January at 950g having been in a situation where her (late) sow companion was suspected of bullying - although nothing was seen - and indeed when paired with gentle George she rapidly put on weight to a muscular 1.24 kilo. She's bright, fast and in good condition as she is able to roam over a wide area with steps to leap up and down. She is energetic and also awake much of the day whereas my other piggies like to nap. But she is nemesis to Louise: a shy fluffy cloud and rather too comfortably built at 1.35 kilo. Louise has been in with George and Flora for 10 days now and would dearly like to be allowed out from under her shelf to make friends but if she appears Flora chases her back in unless George (or me) is there and intervenes. Louise initially lost a little weight from the stress but has slapped it back on so that's not the issue. Flora's unlimited 'territory' has actually increased with the addition of Louise's cage and she wants ALL of it.

I think Flora has picked up her unfortunate ways from her past experience and I'm hoping that eventually she'll get bored of pushing timid Louise back in but if it comes to the crunch Louise and George will be penned in together safely where they can both shuffle around together and Flora will have to pay the price of victory by living next door (and hopefully not leaping the fence). Does anyone have any experience with a pushy sow? Will it calm down, as Louise shows no resistance at all! Or will Flora's dominating habit become entrenched.

 

[Wiebke]

Flora is a hefty 2 year old piggy ninja. She came to us in January at 950g having been in a situation where her (late) sow companion was suspected of bullying - although nothing was seen - and indeed when paired with gentle George she rapidly put on weight to a muscular 1.24 kilo. She's bright, fast and in good condition as she is able to roam over a wide area with steps to leap up and down. She is energetic and also awake much of the day whereas my other piggies like to nap. But she is nemesis to Louise: a shy fluffy cloud and rather too comfortably built at 1.35 kilo. Louise has been in with George and Flora for 10 days now and would dearly like to be allowed out from under her shelf to make friends but if she appears Flora chases her back in unless George (or me) is there and intervenes. Louise initially lost a little weight from the stress but has slapped it back on so that's not the issue. Flora's unlimited 'territory' has actually increased with the addition of Louise's cage and she wants ALL of it.

I think Flora has picked up her unfortunate ways from her past experience and I'm hoping that eventually she'll get bored of pushing timid Louise back in but if it comes to the crunch Louise and George will be penned in together safely where they can both shuffle around together and Flora will have to pay the price of victory by living next door (and hopefully not leaping the fence). Does anyone have any experience with a pushy sow? Will it calm down, as Louise shows no resistance at all! Or will Flora's dominating habit become entrenched.

Hi!

Please make sure that you have removed any huts with just one exit (or that the shelf has got a second longer tunnel leading off from the shelf that allows Louise access to hay/water and feed nearby. Have two bottles of water in different locations and that you sprinkle feed.

The post-intro dominance phase lasts on average around 2 weeks but it can take longer if the top sow is not secure in herself. You have to sit it out for at least another week longer and see whether the over the top behaviour abates or not. Flora is likely feeling threatened in her position by Louise being larger and George liking her.

Adding a single sow to a stably bonded mixed pair is one of the bondings with a higher risk of failure to be honest.

 

[Free Ranger]

The post-intro dominance phase lasts on average around 2 weeks but it can take longer if the top sow is not secure in herself.

Thanks @Wiebke - I was feeling a bit like they had to sort it by the end of the week but I don't know whether Louise's timidity is just prolonging the whole thing! If she'd come out and be chased around a bit it might make a difference to Flora - who is feeling tense - you can feel it when you touch her. She and George have never been romance but they're used to each other now. There are no dead ends to get trapped in and the food and water is liberally dotted about which is probably why everyone's fattening up (George is now an embarrassing 1.45 kilo). Everyone goes into the one cage at night to sleep (separately) when there is still the other cage available, or a nice fleecy box with a heat pad, so I'm still hopeful they'd rather be together. It's reassuring to know it can take a bit longer sometimes.