Sows lunging at each other

[Janee74]

Hi everyone

I have two sows who were bonded successfully. Butterscotch is the eldest at one year old, and Buttercup is 5 weeks younger. They were introduced when Buttercup was a baby at 8 weeks old. Now they are lunging at each other. There is no teeth chattering going on, but I’m worried as I don’t understand what is wrong. Any advice appreciated thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone

I have two sows who were bonded successfully. Butterscotch is the eldest at one year old, and Buttercup is 5 weeks younger. They were introduced when Buttercup was a baby at 8 weeks old. Now they are lunging at each other. There is no teeth chattering going on, but I’m worried as I don’t understand what is wrong. Any advice appreciated thanks

Hi!

How long since your sows have been bonded and howold are they now?

Lunging is a defensive behaviour; a very strong 'stay out of my space'. It only leads to a tussle if the other party persists pushing and doesn't back down.

Give your two a day out with a divider and then see how they are with a re-intro on neutral ground. If the bonding has been very recent, it can be that they have come to the decision that they don't suit. Bondings can fail in the ca. 2 weeks post-intro dominance phase during the which a working hierarchical group is fully established. Only afterwards is the bonding process actually finished. Many people are unfortunately not aware that the bondin process is taking a lot longer than just a few hours.
Conflicts can also happen during a strong season.

Please take the time to read these links here:
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Bonds In Trouble

 

[Janee74]

Hi, thanks for replying

They have been bonded since March 2021, which is 9 months. Buttercup is about 9 months old and Butterscotch is about a year old. I’ve noticed Buttercup sometimes makes a loud squeaking sound at Butterscotch, and she sometimes chases her away too. For the first time today while they were having floor time, Butterscotch lunged at Buttercup, which I’ve never seen her do before. Thanks for the links

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, thanks for replying

They have been bonded since March 2021, which is 9 months. Buttercup is about 9 months old and Butterscotch is about a year old. I’ve noticed Buttercup sometimes makes a loud squeaking sound at Butterscotch, and she sometimes chases her away too. For the first time today while they were having floor time, Butterscotch lunged at Buttercup, which I’ve never seen her do before. Thanks for the links

It can be a strong season/hormone spike in the offing with Buttercup having pushed Buttscotch too hard and too relentlessly.