Sows full on fighting

[Magpie]

We have 4 sows, they are now around 4-5 months.

Two of them have just started fighting. We have tried to separate them all morning. They kept finding ways to get into the same bit. Now they definitely can't get through.

There are injuries, one neck doesn't look right but she's eating and drinking. Will take her to the vets! Also ear has been bitten.
The other has injuries too.

She bit my husband very bad. Unsure why. He has a very very deep cut, not seen anything like it.

They are in a 6x2 cage, let out every single day. I clean the poo every day. Deep clean them once a week. They have all the hay, food, toys.

What has caused this? We can't keep them separated though. I think we might have to re-home one because of this situation. Which is sad and not what I want.

What's caused this? They seem to pick on one the same GP. They pick on the fattest of them all. Two came off very badly.

I'm anxious and stressed. Worried my youngest children will get damaged too. If that bite what did to my husband it would have gone right through a finger it was incredibly deep!

What to do

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m so sorry to hear this

Your sows are teenagers and this time causes heightened hormones, sadly it is the time when bonds can come under strain and break down due to incompatibility or one under piggy trying to overthrow the dominant piggy and disrupting the hierarchy.
It is unusual for sows to have full on fights so it does mean that their bond is over and they cannot be in the same cage again.

Definitely ensure the injured piggies get seen by a vet today. Severe wounds will very likely need antibiotics and painkillers

Your husband should seek medical advice for his wounds due to the infection risk.

Are you able to make two functioning pairs? (I’m assuming that would mean you having to split up two who definitely get on so it may well not be an option you’re prepared to take).
I’m just wondering whether you can make two pairs as C&c cages can be stacked one on top of the other thus meaning no extra floor space is taken up by having two pairs.
Stacking cages can only be done if you still have two functioning pairs though. You can’t stack a single piggy as they then lose all ability to interact.

Bonds In Trouble

 

[Truffolo]

I am very sorry to hear the sad news. Piggies are usually OK to handle, but after there has been a fight, it's safer to herd the piggy into a box or large tube as emotions and reactions will be running very high and the piggy might lash out purely from fear, not from malice. They will probably hide for a bit and then come out for food, when the relationship can be repaired. If you can, keep the piggies who are getting on rather than rehoming the piggy who bit as this should most likely not be a permanent behaviour, especially if she has been OK to handle before the fight. I hope things work out

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

I am very sorry. Fights between sows are comparatively rare but they can happen. Sadly, they won't go back with each other. Could you divide the cage into two smallish singles pens or do you have more guinea pigs?

It sounds very much like fear-aggressive behaviour from at least one of the sows - the defence biting one that has been cornered and has been so on edge that the only way out were instinctive deep defence bites to any sudden movement - hence the the bite to your husband from a seriously upset and fearful piggy.

You may find these links here helpful to make sense of what has happened:
- Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips
- " Biting" And What You Can Do (Biting, Tweaking, Nibbling and Nipping)
- Guinea Pig Behaviours in their Context (see chapter 7)

 

[Magpie]

Thank you all for the replies.
So far we have been keeping an eye on them.

The two that were fighting are with the other two left. They are being very dominant with them and annoying them that they are starting to stick up for themselves!

I'm at a loss, do I swap the two that weren't aggressive around?

I want to cry! It's all going bad.

So to clarify

Bossy boots 1 with with less aggressive 3
Bossy boots 2 with with less aggressive 4

Do I put 3 with 2 and 1 with 4?

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you all for the replies.
So far we have been keeping an eye on them.

The two that were fighting are with the other two left. They are being very dominant with them and annoying them that they are starting to stick up for themselves!

I'm at a loss, do I swap the two that weren't aggressive around?

I want to cry! It's all going bad.

So to clarify

Bossy boots 1 with with less aggressive 3
Bossy boots 2 with with less aggressive 4

Do I put 3 with 2 and 1 with 4?

Hi

You can try to pair up your sows on neutral territory in a formal bonding setting and see how it goes in a few days. The fighting has been upsetting for all piggies in the room so give tempers and hormones time to settle down.

Not knowing your piggies I cannot tell you who might work with who but be prepared to abort and not put your own wish for happy pairs over the reality that things are not working out.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated Bonding Dynamics and Behaviours

 

[Truffolo]

The dominant piggies are probably overdoing things a bit and unsettling their cage mates. You could try putting them all into separate but adjoining pens for a while but only if things are getting very frantic or tense as the activity may be bonding starting to take place. It's better to be present at a bonding and to allow lots if time for it though. You could try putting lots of hay into the cages to see if the under piggies will find refuge in it and calm things down. It depends on what you are seeing going on.

 

[Truffolo]

The guides on here are excellent and can give you the best advice you can get. I hope things settle down quickly. Apparently leaving the cage a bit dirty or only cleaning half at a time helps as the lead piggy finds the scent reassuring

 

[Magpie]

Thanks again for the replies. The information Is very helpful. I am wondering if they have been missed sexed? We asked them to double check as well. Is this a sow?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thanks again for the replies. The information Is very helpful. I am wondering if they have been missed sexed? We asked them to double check as well. Is this a sow?

I would encourage you to compare all of them against each other asap, you can post pictures of them all and open the slits as well.

I’ve added our sexing guide below, so you can use the pictures as a guide and carry out the hands on checks for you to confirm the sex of all of them.

How long have you had them?

Illustrated Sexing Guide