Two Questions About Sow Behaviour

[Kylie80]

Number one being..why do they lick each other, I am noticing my piggie's are licking each other a lot lately which I have never noticed before in the nine months that I have had them. I believe this to be a new behaviour as they are not terribly close, they like each other but just tend to ignore each other mostly but will play with each other sometimes and must share a food bowl (In case one gets more to eat than the other, it's a competition you know lol). Is it affection or some sort of dominant behaviour.

Number two.. When they are in season are they in any pain?

 

[Wiebke]

Number one being..why do they lick each other, I am noticing my piggie's are licking each other a lot lately which I have never noticed before in the nine months that I have had them. I believe this to be a new behaviour as they are not terribly close, they like each other but just tend to ignore each other mostly but will play with each other sometimes and must share a food bowl (In case one gets more to eat than the other, it's a competition you know lol). Is it affection or some sort of dominant behaviour.

Number two.. When they are in season are they in any pain?

Hi! Sows should not be in pain when they are season, but depending on their hormones, seasons can be very dramatic.

Licking is usually a sign of affection. Especially around the eyes or the ears, but nuzzling can also happen in another place. Piggies often do this on the day after a very strong season and emotional excess. It reaffirms their bond.
But it can also be a sign that piggy has a problem in a certain place. Licking by a companion has on occasion alerted me to a non-ulcerated eye injury or to an internal tumour that was becoming painful; this happens more in closely bonded piggies.

 

[Louise's Zoo]

My 3 girls aren't overly close but today I caught baby Eileen licking Edna's face, all around her eye and cheek area and she was also nibbling and pulling at the fur a bit. It was so cute to watch and Edna didn't seem to mind until Eileen got a bit too rough and then Edna nudged her away.