Dominance Issues Now There's Just Two Of Them

[scpiggy]

I have had a trio of girls until recently when my girl Sookie passed away. It's been a week now and the dominance issues between my remaining girls Sherbet and Rio are not improving.
Several years ago I had Sookie and Sherbet living with another girl and when she passed away there weren't any issues until a few months afterwards when they did nothing but grump at each other until I introduced Rio. This has left me a little worried that Sherbet and Rio will keep arguing with each other unless I introduce another pig. Or worse they'll have a real falling out and will have to be separated. I would like to avoid this because I'm a poor student and wouldn't want to get another pig that I couldn't really afford. I still owe my parents money for Sookie's vet bills. Plus this soon after she's died I would feel like I'd be replacing Sookie.
I understand that it will take them a while to sort things out after the loss of Sookie but they're both such bossy dominant girls I'm worried that they wont be able to sort out their issues. I know I'm probably over reacting and a week isn't really enough time for them to have accustomed to it just being the two of them now but I'm a bit of a worrier when it comes to my girls. Or a lot of a worrier...
Does anyone have experience of pigs falling out after the death of one of their group? Or any tips on how to help them sort out their dominance issues and stop worrying their piggy mummy?

 

[Wiebke]

Give your girls some more time to settle dominance; depending on how closely they are matched, it can take some time! I am assuming that Sookie was the top sow, so dominance is by necessity worse.

You could also have a look at our boar guide at the top of this section for tips on how to create spaces to get away from each other.

If at some point you would like to go for a third piggy, I would recommend looking out for a laid back neutered boar, as he has to get on with both girls in order to mate but is not a direct part of the sow hierarchy. Ideally, you date your girls at a good rescue to make sure that it works before you bring home another piggy that may upset the whole fragile equilivbrium - trios are notoriously the most difficult combination to get right!
Nearby BARC rescue in Barnsley is on our list of recommended guinea pig rescues. I have rehomed a neutered boar from them myself, so I know that they occasionally have them.
http://barnsleyanimalrescue.org.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/BARCrescue

PS: You are most welcome to post a tribute to Sookie in our Rainbow Bridge section.

 

[Cavyhappy]

I'm sorry I have no experience with guinea pigs falling out of line after a death because I still have my first guinea pigs. Although, I would try separating them for a bit (putting their cages next to eachother) and see where that goes also what @Wiebke said is a good option.
Good luck.

 

[Wiebke]

I'm sorry I have no experience with guinea pigs falling out of line after a death because I still have my first guinea pigs. Although, I would try separating them for a bit (putting their cages next to eachother) and see where that goes also what @Wiebke said is a good option.
Good luck.

I would not separate, as they need to work out their dominance and there is no danger of fights. The dominance phase can easily take two weeks and sometimes even more. Some sows are squabblier than others - my worst offenders are a pair of sisters.

 

[Cavyhappy]

I would not separate, as they need to work out their dominance and there is no danger of fights. The dominance phase can easily take two weeks and sometimes even more. Some sows are squabblier than others - my worst offenders are a pair of sisters.

Really, I didn't realise 2 weeks! Sorry my mistake

 

[scpiggy]

Thanks Weibke. I will deffinately have a look into how to give them spaces to get away from each other. Sherbet has always been the boss pig, but having Sookie gave Rio someone to boss about. I'm particularly worried about when Rio next goes into heat because she can be a monster when she's in heat. I got Rio from Milhaven rescue where I was able to piggy date her. I have had problems getting sows to bond before and would certainly never get another pig without seeing how they get on together beforehand. If I did reach the point where I needed to introduce a 3rd pig I will certainly consider a neutered boar. My first pig was a boar and he was the biggest sweetie ever.
I'm certainly not worried enough to separate them yet but luckily if worst comes to worst my cage can easily be split in two.

Do you think a bath together would help? I know that is used to help re-bond pigs who have fallen out and my girls are getting rather smelly and in need of a bath soon anyway.

 

[Rigby]

Hi there,
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. It's so hard when you lose a pig.

I can't really add anything to Wibeke's advice, but you're definitely not alone. I had the same problem with my girls (sisters) when the older, dominant sow passed away. Greta and Mae started a battle for dominance almost straight away, and it was hard up deal with that as well as grieving for my lovely Ada, so I sympathise. I bought them two new pigloos so they didn't end up fighting over one and I tried bathing them also which did settle them temporarily. They worked it out eventually, after about a month, but always refused to sit together! In the end I did opt for a third sow and a new, bigger cage which they were all very pleased with. Good luck whatever you decide, I'm sure they will settle down.

 

[klee]

I just wanted to chip in. When we lost Esme and Rosie so close together and were left with our current two girls they were very squabbly and grumpy whilst trying to sort out the dominance. Although it settled down, they were still squabbling after several weeks which is when we seriously considered a neutered boar, as our two are very closely matched. I certainly wouldn't separate your girls, just give them time.

We got Edward in December and he spent a month living alongside the girls until he was safe, the initial bonding was a little tense at times but we worked through it and 3 weeks on we have a happy little trio. With both girls having gone through 2 seasons each- which Edward thoroughly enjoyed

 

[scpiggy]

Thanks for sharing your stories and I'm sorry for both your losses. Klee, I've seen your posts recently with your new boy Edward. He is so gorgeous, I have abit of a soft spot for silver agoutis since Sherbet is one.
Luckily my girls got a large cage and always have at least two hideys and a litter tray that they usually fight over who gets to lie in that... which is part of the reason they both so badly need a bath. Thinking of buying a second litter tray and putting up another hay rack so they don't have to fight over the one they've got. And hopefully giving them a bath will settle things down for a while.
With Rio I sometimes feel like I have already got a boar, she goes round humping everything and rumblestrutting. She's a little devil. Fingers crossed they'll settle down soon. And hopefully I'll find a job soon so if I do need to add another pig I can do so without having to worry about the extra costs so much.