gliders + disagreemments = loud noises!!!

[SamJM]

Rice n Pea our two lil ladies, have developed a some kind of issue with one another.
A brief outline of their life & routine: Their cage is large, they have various playthings - willow shapes, cork bark with drill holes for treats, ropes & ledges (we went for things more on the 'natural' side), two sleeping pouches, a wheel and a cover for the cage. We take them out at approx 7.30 (dusk) to have a play then they return for food between 8 & 9. (We have moved it back a bit to blend with the sun being out for longer).  So basically there is nothing different to life than when we first got them (if anything its improved).
They started bickering, but it seemed natural, just a bit of argy bargy like 'oww i wanted that bit of apple'. But now it has got to the point where the slightly larger one Rice takes over the part of the cage where the food bowl is, and she wont let Pea anywhere near, even if Rice has done eating. We cant help but think its a dominance thing, but it is very violent, and the noises are really worrying at times.
We didnt want to but we separated the food to two bowls on either side of the cage, that worked for a while but Rice clocked on and is now defending the two sides, she'll even stop eating and guard it and if Pea goes near she will go for her. We are now separating them at dinner time. (I really dont want to have to do this mind.)
Has anyone got any ideas or advice to help combat this? (Sorry the posts long, its just really starting to get to me now, as before they were all cuddly and they would share food and pass it to one another!!)

[roxyandboys]

Any possibility that either are pregnant?

[SamJM]

Well as far as I'm aware no, the lady we got them from wasn't too informative about how long she'd had them or whether they had been exposed to males. I'm pretty sure they aren't but I'm going to have to check for peace of mind, any tell tale signs? Bumps?!

[Marie]

The amount of time you've had them Sam, you would see an obvious lump, so I don't think there is any chance one of them is pregnant.  Put the food bowls as far away as possible, so not just on other sides of the cage, but at a different level too.  Try positioning toys or hanging cage furniture so they can't see each other's food bowl.  Make it as tricky as possible for Rice to guard both bowls.

[SamJM]

Good idea and thanks for the advice. I bought a new cage today which is a fair bit bigger so I'll set that up and it'll work really well with stealth food bowl set up fingers crossed an I'll keep you posted