Sassy sows!

[Pipsypip]

I've recently adopted a second sow to go alongside my long time sassy single Doreen! They are in C&C's with a divider because Doreen needs her own space and has past history of being a tyrant! The little one (she is around 2) is rumblestrutting near the barrier this evening, and although they sit and eat beside each other and things I think they are both guarding their own territory. Aside from this there's lots of popcorning, eating well, wheeking, chatting. Does that all sound normal?
Thankyou!

 

[Claire W]

Yes, it sounds like normal dominant behaviour. This thread here talks more about dominant behaviour in sows Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

 

[Wiebke]

I've recently adopted a second sow to go alongside my long time sassy single Doreen! They are in C&C's with a divider because Doreen needs her own space and has past history of being a tyrant! The little one (she is around 2) is rumblestrutting near the barrier this evening, and although they sit and eat beside each other and things I think they are both guarding their own territory. Aside from this there's lots of popcorning, eating well, wheeking, chatting. Does that all sound normal?
Thankyou!

Yes it sounds normal. What nobody can predict is how they are when they meet and whether they can come to an agreement as it who is the leader.

Please double-check the gender before bonding.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

All the best!

 

[Pipsypip]

Yes it sounds normal. What nobody can predict is how they are when they meet and whether they can come to an agreement as it who is the leader.

Please double-check the gender before bonding.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

All the best!

Thankyou! My plan is to keep the barrier, Doreen has had three failed bondings now so I'm accepting she doesn't like to share her living space!

 

[Pipsypip]

I was more just wondering if rumble strutting was normal even with a barrier when they each have their own space

 

[Wiebke]

I was more just wondering if rumble strutting was normal even with a barrier when they each have their own space

Rumble-strutting along the bars is territorial dominance behaviour. it is more typically seen in boars but I have seen sows of mine doing this with their neighbours, too.

See entries Rumble-strutting and Territorial behaviours in this guide here: A - Z of Guinea Pig Behaviours