Sister Sows Getting Violent!

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Ayla

Ayla

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Milli and Luna have been getting into fights lately, it usually is just a quick snap and they go back to their business. Now it's teeth chattering and moving their back sides like they're getting very angry. I saw a small small little drop of blood on Luna's nose. I didn't see how it happened because they were behind their hut but Milli jumped higher than i have ever seen above her pigloo! and went right for Luna. they have always had little tiffs but they never got so intense. i recently combined their cages, so i have a 3 by 4 c&c and then next to it i have a 2 by 4 with a 1 by 2 loft so they can choose where they want to go and get plenty of exercise all the piggies seem very happy about it but Milli has always been sour. i don't know what to do because she's not always mean but i don't want to isolate her and make her life lonely . i couldn't imagine being in a small enclosure by myself . milli&luna.webp 20141012_234317.webp
 
^^^ in that picture you can actually see Milli and Luna about to have a scuff
 
also i thought i read and understood (but could be wrong) that sows liked to live in large numbers, i feel like they're both just very dominant but i put Milli on the left side ( the 2 x 4 with loft ) since she never has ever taken a liking to ramps and Luna has 3 pups and likes the bigger enclosure side as for the other ones just run around Luna goes on the other ride occasionally because she has always lived in that cage but i think it's working a tad better
 
i read that lunging means separation immediately on that link , i am holding Luna right now as they just fought again, this just stared today
 
well they are now separated, could it have do do with they haven't been housed together in a couple weeks?
 
I'm not sure about that. I never had this happen before
There is a thread in bonding and behaviour about re introducing
 
What you are seeing is a dominance sort-out. You always need to do introductions on neutral ground and you also need to remove any hideys with just one exit, so no piggy can get cornered. The scratch on the nose is typical for such a situation.

Please give your two girls time to calm down and then follow our bonding tips tomorrow or the day after. It is VERY important that you read through the intruduction thread carefully and follow the instructions for a successful bonding!
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boars-a-guide-to-successful-companionship.76162/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/sow-behaviour.38561/

Both your older girls are now top sows by having their own youngsters, so the underpiggy is not as likely to give in. Rebonding mums after they have weaned their babies is about the trickiest time, so it may take you a few days of supervised intros until they get back together. Be patient and try to eliminate any trigger situations. Do not do any intros in their cages; that will only seem like an intrusion into their territory and is bound to set up their hackles and lead to fights!
It took me about 4 days to integrate Tesni into the big Tribe after she had her Tegan, as hadn't been introduced properly before her surprise baby.
 
thank you so much, i didn't even think the weaning would be a part of that. reading up on the links now (:
 
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