Separated Sow Advice

[Pipsypip]

Hi all, I have two sows separated by a divider. Doreen has always been a bully (I love her dearly but she is a !) , and Rita was bullied severely by the herd she was in, so keeping them side by side has felt the safest choice. However I'm wondering about playtime together when I can supervise? I was told on a Facebook group this would be too stressful for them, would that be the case? At the moment floor time Rita is in a large C&C playpen and Doreen is free range. Doreen frequently chews the C&C and they rumble away at each other up and down the divider. What are peoples thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Piggies&buns]

No I am afraid these kinds of playtimes are not a good idea. To piggies, each meeting is a full on bonding session and the if they can’t live together, the repeated introduction and separation would put them into a constant state of attempting to form a hierarchy but never be able to achieve it due to the separations. It would be highly stressful to them. They either need to be properly bonded and be able to live together, or kept permanently separated.

Interactions are the divider are not friendly ones, these kinds of interactions are a way of marking their territory and not a sign they want to be together.

 

[Swissgreys]

But it is great they are ale to interact safely through the divider.
This is important, but also keeps them safe.

 

[Pipsypip]

Thankyou both for this! That's really helpful. I'll definitely keep things as they are

 

[Cheekypigs]

This is something we are still trying to figure out, we know we need to find a floor time solution which keeps the rowdy boys separate, but has them both out at the same time. If we put one out and the other one is still in the cage they will get stressed out, they need to be able to see each other.