Trial separation

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GlimmerandGreta

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I am attempting a trial seperation between my two pigs and both are already knowing at the bars and I’m not sure if it’s because they miss each other or miss the other side of the enclosure
Any ideas?
 
Both however seem way more relaxed and are actually engaging with the enrichment activities I’ve provided
 
GlimmerandGreta said:
I am attempting a trial seperation between my two pigs and both are already knowing at the bars and I’m not sure if it’s because they miss each other or miss the other side of the enclosure
Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Hi

They want to be back with the other to continue their spat. You have to wait a full two days for any hormone spikes to settle down again before allowing them to meet in a full formal intro on neutral ground that is not part of either pig's territory.

If there are serious problems, these will resurface very quickly; if not, your piggies should ideally go back with each other as if nothing ontoward had happened with only minimal dominance. Make sure that you never separate riled up piggies with bare hands - instinctive defence bites are triggered by any movement, they are deep and can do lasting damage.

If one of the piggies starts perking up rather quickly when away from their mate (who will not be happy), then you are looking at a potential bullying scenario.
With two piggies wanting to continue the tussle, you have to unfortunately brace for a greater likelihood of a broken bond.

But first you need to give them time to allow their tempers to cool down before you can find out how they truly stand with each other.

Bonds In Trouble

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Wishing you all the best. I know that it is a nerve-wracking situation for you.
 
I observed them last night and it was obvious the under piggy was thriving without her companion while the other pig was gnawing at the bars. At one point the under piggy even swiped her foot at the dominant pig through the bars after being fed up with her gnawing. So I’m pretty sure it’s a case of bullying. Is it possible if it is bullying to reintroduce them?
 
You can attempt to reintroduce after a couple of days apart so that they can give their answer. but if it is bullying then the bond will fail upon reintroduction - the bullying will start up again and you will need to permanently separate.
 
GlimmerandGreta said:
I observed them last night and it was obvious the under piggy was thriving without her companion while the other pig was gnawing at the bars. At one point the under piggy even swiped her foot at the dominant pig through the bars after being fed up with her gnawing. So I’m pretty sure it’s a case of bullying. Is it possible if it is bullying to reintroduce them?
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Sadly, I agree with @Piggies&buns .

The bar gnawing will settle down eventually.

It rather sounds like the under-sow has had enough but you can do the intro test in two days - you will know within 15-30 minutes whether a bond is still functional or not. Just a beach towel in your bathtub or shower will do.

However, any underlying grudges won't go away and they have a bad habit of resurfacing in full strength again. Once you are at that stage, both girls will be ultimately happier with each having her own territory with full interaction with all senses (scent/pheromones, sight (body language) and vocalisation for ongoing mutual stimulation through the bars. Piggies, especially sows, have a good memory for slights and can carry grudges for the rest of their lives.
How old are your sows? Hormonal ovarian cysts can happen much earlier or later but they are generally most active between 2-4 years of age and they are the biggest cause for fall-outs between established sow pairs, which can bring up old grudges and rivalries again and cause them to blow up.

Sows: Behaviour and Female Health Problems (including mounting and ovarian cysts)

The Herd, the Group and I: Investigating Guinea Pig Identity and Society
 
Both are just over a year old and went to the vets this August. They were given the all clear but obviously things can change during that time. I have however been checking them regularly for any lumps or bumps. I will though be taking them to the vet again soon just to make sure because one of my pigs does have a fungal strip that needs treated.
 
I got them together and they are half sisters also, but have never really settled with each other, the top pig is always showing dominance behaviours to the extent it appears that she is insecure in her position
 
GlimmerandGreta said:
Both are just over a year old and went to the vets this August. They were given the all clear but obviously things can change during that time. I have however been checking them regularly for any lumps or bumps. I will though be taking them to the vet again soon just to make sure because one of my pigs does have a fungal strip that needs treated.

No, it doesn't sound like ovarian cysts but rather like a long-standing sibling rivalry that has flared up due to teenage hormones.
In my own long term experience with quite a few sisters (pairs and trios), the end of teenage ca. 12-14 months is the worst period where the girls are constantly scrapping outside of when ovarian cysts and nonstop high hormones come into play with some of them. They may or may not go back together.

What is difficult for us to judge is whether your two are constantly just at the limit or whether things have tipped over the edge. You will have to see and take it from there.
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Thanks for clarifying. It sounds rather like you are dealing with a sibling rivalry from birth in one of the most difficult ages for sister pairs/trios at around 12-14 months of age - the end of teenage before the hormones settle down again with adulthood.

Female siblings can be right up at the limit for weeks on end at that stage and it can be very difficult to decide whether they have just gone over the edge or not.

I've had a few of them over the years. Most did settle down together but one sister pair nearly wrecked two groups once ovarian cysts came into play and I have had to do quite a big piggy jiggling to find a stable longer term situation for each girl. They did move back in together during the last weeks of their lives after 3 years apart and followed each other to the Bridge within a few weeks, just short of 7 years.

Give your girls their 2 days out and see how it goes when they meet again.
But brace for plenty of live 'wheep' opera when you have a pair like that! Boredom is not an option!
 
They’ve been separated for two nights and it’s been officially two days apart. I’ve just reintroduced them in the neutral space (shower) and I’ve witnessed no concerning behaviours. However, I am concerned that they are only doing as such because they are scared and acting upon their survival instincts (because of the unfamiliar environment) rather than showing their true feelings towards each other. They did urinate as well.
Any ideas?
 

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They were also only in there for 10 minutes max. So I think I probably should’ve left them in longer but my own nerves got in the way. I’m thinking I’ll try again tomorrow for longer for the final verdict.
 
GlimmerandGreta said:
They were also only in there for 10 minutes max. So I think I probably should’ve left them in longer but my own nerves got in the way. I’m thinking I’ll try again tomorrow for longer for the final verdict.
Click to expand...

Please give them time to get their bearings and in necessary peg a sheet or blanket over the top to make them feel less exposed.

Also please put something down on the floor where they can get a grip on.
 
GlimmerandGreta said:
Okay will do is it okay if it’s tomorrow that I try introducing them again
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Yes, since today's doesn't really count. You will have to hold your nerve and see whether they remain hostile or settle down again. My gut feeling is that your under-sow will be happier on her own but since I cannot judge their body language and interaction I cannot tell you whether my hunch is right or not.

If you can, please take some shorter videos and upload them on a public setting on youtube before copying any worth me or other members having a look at if you have concerns.

We do not have a video upload since we are running entirely on voluntary member donations and we are all doing this for free in our own free time, so we don't have any fixed rotas.
 
They’ve only been in for 5 minutes now but they’re already chin raising
My YouTube is @Maddy_Louu
 
I didn’t get it on video but she was fine no teeth chattering or anything and then just randomly nipped the dominant piggy
 
Hi

Could you please copy/paste any videos across to this forum. We have members who are deliberately not going on social media for their own good reasons.
 
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