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Ellen climbing on top of Edward. Dominance?

Claire W

Claire W

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For the last few weeks, I’ve noticed Ellen climbing on top of Edward. He doesn’t seem to mind and just rumbles at her but I’m concerned.

She used to do this with Emma before she died and I put it down to dominance and seasons as Ellen is head sow.

Is it just a dominance thing with Edward or should I be worried about ovarian cysts? She’s showing no other symptoms of cysts and is 3.5 years old
 
Claire W said:
For the last few weeks, I’ve noticed Ellen climbing on top of Edward. He doesn’t seem to mind and just rumbles at her but I’m concerned.

She used to do this with Emma before she died and I put it down to dominance and seasons as Ellen is head sow.

Is it just a dominance thing with Edward or should I be worried about ovarian cysts? She’s showing no other symptoms of cysts and is 3.5 years old
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This is common as sows get older Claire. As long as there are no obvious cysts or other hormonal symptoms, and as long as Edward doesn't mind, l would just watch her for now.
One of my sows (Chloe) was persistently humping her female cage mate (Eileen who you know!). Chloe had cystic ovaries so we got them removed. Her behaviour settled after about a week and Eileen was very pleased!
Another of my sows (Mrs Simpson) is rumbling and humping her female cage mate, so l am getting her checked out.
I think it all depends on how persistent the behaviour is and whether it is causing distress to either piggy.
 
My older sows did this when they had ovarian cysts. I remember that Violet was constantly rumbling at and mounting Connie. It all stopped after she was spayed. She became a different (and happier piggie).
 
Thank you both for the reply. Like I say, Edward doesn't seem to mind but I will keep an eye on them both and have her checked at their next nail trim and health check in a few weeks time.

My vet always feels around her ovaries at check up time and didn't mention anything a few weeks ago but I know they can grow fast xx
 
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