Sow pair still grieving?

[curlykrish]

Hello,
It’s been a while since I’ve posted. My heard of 3 sows were doing really well and reached their 5th birthdays recently, however one of them got a chest infection and unfortunately didn’t make it and passed 4 weeks ago.
Since then the other two have stopped squeaking. They both still eat and drink well, and come up for snacks or treats, and continue to explore for hidden treats, but have completely stopped squeaking either for their dried food in the morning or for evening veggies. Their weight is normal too. Should I be concerned? Their behaviour with each other is also normal with the dominant sow eye licking the younger one - in fact they seem closer to each other now than before.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello,
It’s been a while since I’ve posted. My heard of 3 sows were doing really well and reached their 5th birthdays recently, however one of them got a chest infection and unfortunately didn’t make it and passed 4 weeks ago.
Since then the other two have stopped squeaking. They both still eat and drink well, and come up for snacks or treats, and continue to explore for hidden treats, but have completely stopped squeaking either for their dried food in the morning or for evening veggies. Their weight is normal too. Should I be concerned? Their behaviour with each other is also normal with the dominant sow eye licking the younger one - in fact they seem closer to each other now than before.

Hi

I am very sorry for your loss. It may likely be that the sow that passed away was the Wheeker for the Group who'd start and lead the wheeks and that neither of her mates is feeling the need to take over the role - and it is most definitely a role in any larger group that you have a usually minor or young piggy (it's generally not the First Lady or the Patriarch unless they are particularly greedy) to take over the role as the main Wheeker and the starter of the big wheeks with the others actually just chiming in and providing the background wheeking.

 

[Wiebke]

PS: Yes, your remaining girls are still feeling the loss of their friend very much but they are dealing with it by affirming their own bond and friendship, and they are getting on with their pair life in their own way, which is good to see.

 

[piggieminder]

I am so sorry you have lost your girl. I lost my chief wheeker and bar biter 2 weeks ago, the house is now very quiet. No one else has taken on the role yet although I wish they would. I have 2 new babies who wheek a lot, just not at the right time!
I hope your girls get over their loss very soon.

 

[Betsy]

When I had DA BOSS Velvet to sleep 6 years ago, her daughter Shy Little Meg never wheeked again. She was the Chief Wheeker of the herd. She never uttered another thing and remained silent for the rest of her life. After about 4 weeks The Ever Beautiful Betsy took over the role of Chief Wheeker. It may be that they feel the loss so deeply that they will never fully recover like Meg.