Still dominance behaviour from the little ones

[helen105281]

Excuse the typing as our internet is on a go slow so am posting on my phone.

Amelie and Jessica joined our group a few weeks ago and all seems to be going well group wise but the little ones are still having dominance issues. One day Jess is bottom sow and then the next it will be Amelie. They are always playing "my chin is higher than yours". How long does it normally take to sort out the pecking order? For a few days last week I even thought Amelie may end up top sow above Gertie but now she seems a bit segregated from the group.

 

[Wiebke]

Your sows are obviously very evenly matched. Does it happen every day or does it flare up whenever one of the sows comes into season (about every 15-17 days)?

 

[helen105281]

Not quite every day but fairly often. It is often when they are both at the hay tray or food pile. Jess is in season at the mo as she was trying frantically to mount everyone yesterday but it was happening before that. Am glad they are free range as they have plenty of space to get away from each other.

 

[Wiebke]

Dominance often happens around food. As long as there are just "handbags at dawn", you have to sit it out until they have decided (and accepted) the hierarchy.

 

[helen105281]

Thanks Wiebke, it is just handbags at dawn at the mo. Will sit it out, I just feel so sorry for little Amelie