Increased Rumbling

[Cat906]

I have two sows who are about two years old. They've been together since about 6 weeks and have at times had dominance rows. When they started coming into season it was really clear who and why each one was rumbling and mounting- you could pretty much track it. However in the past month or two one of my pigs has been doing it almost constantly- some days are much worse where she chases and mounts the other, whilst other days she just rumbles and prowls every now and again. The other pig is being allowed to eat (although one day she wasn't allowed upstairs to the mezzanine area) and just seems generally annoyed. It hasn't escalated to fighting that I've seen.

Any reasons why there could have been a change in behaviour, should I be worried and is there anything I can do to help it?

 

[Cat906]

I forgot to say that the dominance seems to have switched

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! Part of it is likely dominance, but sows can get ovarian cysts about as early as 18 months, basically not long after they reach adulthood although the majority of cysts are usually much more typical for older sows. The excess hormones can cause your girl to be constantly in season. It may be worth having her checked out by a piggy savvy vet and if necessary treated, especially if it results in a gradual, but steady weight loss of the affected sow and especially if the relationship is being impacted.

 

[Snugglycavy]

Hi! I know my piggies are like that too. It can be a sign of ovarian cysts- but I know with mine one of my girls is dominant for weeks at a time, mounting, rumbling, etc. I got them checked to be sure there wasn't a cyst but there wasn't!

 

[sport_billy]

Our two year old got very numbly this year and was humping the top piggy almost non stop and chasing her... We had her checked for cysts but none were found. Everything has settled down now and the two year old is now top piggy out of our three, it seems to was quite a long procrastinated push to become herd leader Would get her checked out but it may settle on its own. In meantime make sure that you have two of everything and house preferably have two entrances etc....