Quarrelling Sow - Not Sure What To Do

[Cuddles With Cavies]

I had a happy pair of sows who lived in relative harmony. I then stupidly decided to get a third pig, thinking that it would be a nice addition to the family after losing two members of the herd the previous year.

But this new sow hasn't really "gelled" if you like. She sort of gets on with my one girl (the more submissive of the two) but she's never really gotten on with the boss, Rosie. Generally they just ignore each other and stay out of each other's way.

Now up until recently, it's just been a lot of noise and show that I was hoping would die down. But it hasn't. And today I found a massive bite mark on Rosie, which I presume came from the new pig as Rosie has never once had any problems from the other sow.

So now they're split up but I'm so unsure of what to do. I don't want to force my sows to live together if the don't partially like each other. But likewise I dont have the space to set up another cage and I really don't want to go down the route of having multiple groups because people don't get on with each other. But I also don't want to rehome the third pig as I'm very much of the opinion that if you agree to have a pet you have it through thick and thin, not just until it becomes a problem.

I'm so unsure of what to do. What's your guys thoughts on the situation?

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Ooh that's a tricky one, what size enclosure do they have?

I believe that trios of sows aren't as stable as 2 or 4 so it might be an idea to look at maybe going to 4?

How long have they been together? What age are they? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to know the situation better

Was the new piggy quarantined? Once I thought my Bella had been bitten by her sister but it turned out she had bitten herself, it was presumed to be either mites or a cyst so was treated for both and was fine.

It may be that after a cooling off period you could try introductions again, but it depends a little on space/potential illness etc and what's going on

 

[Cuddles With Cavies]

They're currently have a 6x2 C&C cage.
They were put together on the 7th June, so it's been a while although this is the first time anybody has done any real damage.
The two original sows are both turning 3 whilst the new one is just under 2 years.
The new one was quarantined although it's an interesting thought about the mites as Rosie's bite is on her back, a place where I've seen her itch before.

My herd of 4 did seem a lot more stable to be honest. To be fair everything sort of just went down hill when my old dominant sow passed away last December. Rosie's tried to fill the space but she doesn't really suit leadership

I may try a cooling off and reintroduce after a vet check up. Give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

They're currently have a 6x2 C&C cage.
They were put together on the 7th June, so it's been a while although this is the first time anybody has done any real damage.
The two original sows are both turning 3 whilst the new one is just under 2 years.
The new one was quarantined although it's an interesting thought about the mites as Rosie's bite is on her back, a place where I've seen her itch before.

My herd of 4 did seem a lot more stable to be honest. To be fair everything sort of just went down hill when my old dominant sow passed away last December. Rosie's tried to fill the space but she doesn't really suit leadership

I may try a cooling off and reintroduce after a vet check up. Give them the benefit of the doubt.

That's a great idea, I'd also like to add that I love that you're not giving up on your new baby. Perhaps you could expand to 4 to see if it helps, I've heard that a neutered male can sometimes help sow behaviour mellow a little bit

Even if no one "had" mites I believe if a piggy is stressed (losing a friend and new hierarchy and new piggy might do it) they can have a flare up of mites out of the blue as I believe they all carry them in small amounts which they can usually handle. Might be worth a check anyway.

They shouldn't be particularly hormonal at those ages but as it's girls who knows! My girls are all hormonal during their seasons which doesn't always help. Bottom sows seem to be the worst.

Hope everyone's healthy and they accept each other back well

 

[Cuddles With Cavies]

That's a great idea, I'd also like to add that I love that you're not giving up on your new baby. Perhaps you could expand to 4 to see if it helps, I've heard that a neutered male can sometimes help sow behaviour mellow a little bit

Even if no one "had" mites I believe if a piggy is stressed (losing a friend and new hierarchy and new piggy might do it) they can have a flare up of mites out of the blue as I believe they all carry them in small amounts which they can usually handle. Might be worth a check anyway.

They shouldn't be particularly hormonal at those ages but as it's girls who knows! My girls are all hormonal during their seasons which doesn't always help. Bottom sows seem to be the worst.

Hope everyone's healthy and they accept each other back well

Thank you! Yes I'll try treating everyone for notes first and give them a couple of weeks apart to chill (and to sort any notes if there are any) before trying reintroductions. If that still doesn't work I may look into getting a nuetered male on a trial basis from a shelter to see if perhaps that cools things off.

Thanks for you help. At least I have a couple of possible plans now

 

[*kate*]

Hope everything works out for you and your furry family x