Squabbling Sows now that male has passed away - Need Advice Please

[PingandChipy]

Hello there,

I need some advice about my girl pigs. Two weeks ago my male, Chipy, passed away and since he has left the girls are having issues.
Basically, the older girl, Lulu, is attacking her daughter, Walnut. She is so aggressive and lunges at her. Walnut dashes around in fear and is always trying to hide away.

I thought I could put Walnut with my other two girls, Bunty and Sadie, but that did not work out. Walnut ended up acting like her mother and attacking everyone.

So right now I have Lulu and Walnut in a large cage with a divider so they can see each other. But I don't know if I should have just let them work it out?

I just felt so sorry for Walnut because she was very fearful and would squeak in terror when Lulu would lunge at her. I guess the hierachy has been disturbed now that Chipy has passed away?

I don't know what to do.... and I cant' get anymore guinea pigs due to my allergies. Help! :o
Oh these are the pigs in question:
This is Lulu May:

And Walnut:

 

[Toffeewoffee]

Sorry to hear of Chippy's passing.

The first thing i will say is, please do not let them use that run with the wired base, they could seriously do themselves harm on that.

I think you should leave the girls to get on with it, what seems bad to us is normal behaviour for them you need to let them worj it out, i should imagine they are re-estabilishing their ranks now they are one down.

Leave them for a few days, perhaps change the age around add some new toys etc to destract them.

You could always try a bonding bath too (bathing them together)

xx

 

[PingandChipy]

Hi, don't worry that was from the summer and they are no longer on wire Thank you for the warning though. I will see how they get on today. Sigh it's stressful to watch.

 

[shiny]

They are re-establishing the hierarchy now that your male pig died. It is really tough to watch & I would monitor carefully in case they have a serious fight. If blood is drawn then you definitely need to separate. Have you looked at this sticky about sow dominance? http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?38561-Sow-behaviour

Your pigs are very cute & glad to hear you are no longer using the wire base.

 

[Lola1]

I am experiencing a similar thing with my 2 females. One had surgery a few weeks ago and despite living in separate cages which were side by side and being taken out for cuddles together (albeit with slight separation) they were reunited today in a completely cleaned house and following a bath together. However I have had to separate them as the one female is constantly chasing and teeth chattering, and has taken out several chunks of fur. It is awful to witness and I am concerned that she will cause serious injury. The submissive pig is trying to hide and keep her distance but the other pig will not leave her alone.
Does anyone have any other ideas to try and help me reunite these pigs who were once friends?
Thanks