Out of nowhere bullying

[mocha my rainbow pig]

I posted a few weeks ago about bonding my two females, it went really well and I cleaned out the Midwest cage and took the divider out. It’s about three weeks that they have been together. They are two females (baby is 9 months old, chai is about 3 months) the past 4/5 days I have been alerted to the cage by chai screeching and have witnessed baby nip her a good 2/3 times. They don’t fight and chai submisses, but I’m worried that she is feeling bullied. She always wants to be near baby, tries to snuggle her and lick her and baby just is mean. Idk why this started all of a sudden or what I can do to make them get along better.. I’ve thought of introducing another piggie and then maybe chai can have her cuddle buddy but there is no guarantee to any of that. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Siikibam]

I’m not versed in the way of sow bonding but it may just be a nip to tell her where the boundaries are...is Baby also chasing her or rumble strutting? And is it a constant thing or there’s a gap?

It may just be she’s asserting her dominance. If chai is being submissive then it’s probably ok.

Have a read of through the threads on bonding and behaviour in the behaviour section. Hopefully they can answer some of your questions.

Otherwise I’m sure someone will be along in the morning to answer you more comprehensively.

 

[mocha my rainbow pig]

No there are definitely gaps, and yes both are rumble strutting now, none of which was happening at first. I am just hoping it won’t get worse bc none of this was occurring when I first put them together. Thx for responding

 

[GuineaPigLover7891]

Hi! I’m not sure what is happening. My thoughts would be that the baby is trying to be the more dominant one. Does the older one participate in any dominance behaviors? If so, it may be that they are both trying to be the more dominant one. Hope this helped!

 

[Siikibam]

It may be they’ve come into season. This occurs roughly every 14-16 days if I remember correctly.

 

[Pigwhisperer]

Definitely don't introduce a 3rd pig as it's most likely 2 will pair off and 1 will be left out!

Sounds like hormones have kicked in, maybe a strong season, and they are sorting out dominance. Read the behaviour guides, they are very comprehensive.

 

[mocha my rainbow pig]

Hi! I’m not sure what is happening. My thoughts would be that the baby is trying to be the more dominant one. Does the older one participate in any dominance behaviors? If so, it may be that they are both trying to be the more dominant one. Hope this helped!

The baby is chai, she only wants to be friends, and that’s where I see the problem bc she tries so hard and baby (the older pig) just is so mean. Chai does rumble back after she’s been nipped at and such.. but she only does it In response

 

[mocha my rainbow pig]

Definitely don't introduce a 3rd pig as it's most likely 2 will pair off and 1 will be left out!

Sounds like hormones have kicked in, maybe a strong season, and they are sorting out dominance. Read the behaviour guides, they are very comprehensive.

That’s what I’m afraid of I wouldn’t introduce a third if I didn’t have to I just feel so bad bc chai WANTS to be with her so bad

 

[mocha my rainbow pig]

I’m not versed in the way of sow bonding but it may just be a nip to tell her where the boundaries are...is Baby also chasing her or rumble strutting? And is it a constant thing or there’s a gap?

It may just be she’s asserting her dominance. If chai is being submissive then it’s probably ok.

Have a read of through the threads on bonding and behaviour in the behaviour section. Hopefully they can answer some of your questions.

Otherwise I’m sure someone will be along in the morning to answer you more comprehensively.

It’s the weirdest thing bc baby will rumblestrutt, and popcorn away. I’m so confused. She doesn’t bite and hurt her, she def nips at her and chai is a little over dramatic and screams running away lmao