Behaviour of gestating sows after a repeated feeding competition Increasing feed competition (closing one of two feeders) for one week accentuates the hierarchical subordination relationships within a group of gestating sows and increases their agonistic behaviours. This study aimed to understand whether a second feed competition, applied two weeks after the first one with the same sows, would lead to the same behavioural changes or attenuate them (habituation). Each competition week was preceded by a control week during which the two feeders were available. The behaviour of thirty-two gestating sows (including eight primiparous), distributed in two groups, was studied manually by video analysis. The hierarchy among a group of sows was determined by the order in which they accessed the feeder. Results indicated that sows spent more time standing during the competition week than the control week (P < 0.001), as well as during the first replicate than the second replicate (P < 0.001). Feed competition induced twice as many negative contacts as those during the control week (P < 0.001). Sows made more negative contacts during the second replicate than the first one (P < 0.001). The number of negative behaviours and position changes were positively correlated with the hierarchical rank of the sows (P < 0.001). The groups used for the study significantly influenced physical activity and social behaviour. Hierarchical rank remained stable during the periods, with multiparous sows having higher ranks, despite inter-individual differences. Thus, repeating a feed competition is not accompanied by complete habituation, due to social tensions.