2 Boars - Are They Still Ok Together?

[2newfriends]

Hi,

I've posted on here a couple of times about my 2 boars "arguing" and have gone with the flow as they were working out who the dominant one was.

they are 12 weeks old and we've had them for 3 1/2 weeks now, over the past week they seemed to have chilled out a lot more, however i've just popped into them a few mins ago and noticed Rolo has what looks like a little scratch on his nose, and there is a little chunk of Dance's fur on the bottom of the cage. I don't want to overreact as both things look tiny (i will get some pics), but also don't want things to get any worse.

Any thoughts?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

I've posted on here a couple of times about my 2 boars "arguing" and have gone with the flow as they were working out who the dominant one was.

they are 12 weeks old and we've had them for 3 1/2 weeks now, over the past week they seemed to have chilled out a lot more, however i've just popped into them a few mins ago and noticed Rolo has what looks like a little scratch on his nose, and there is a little chunk of Dance's fur on the bottom of the cage. I don't want to overreact as both things look tiny (i will get some pics), but also don't want things to get any worse.

Any thoughts?

It sounds like a little tiff, but it is not a full-on fight and not a reason to split them up. You will know from the level of sheer tension when you get into serious territory.

Make sure that you remove any of the most likely flashpoints for problems, like hideys with just one exit. if you can give them an area each at opposite ends of the cage with access to hay in the middle and everything in twos.

 

[2newfriends]

 

[2newfriends]

 

[Wiebke]

View attachment 68683

That looks very minor to me; just a little misjudged swipe with a back foot - something I see with any gender of piggies.

Not sure whether that hair patch has not been self-barbered or not; it looks to me like it could have stood up from the coat anyway and has just been pulled out without any fight involved.

 

[2newfriends]

It sounds like a little tiff, but it is not a full-on fight and not a reason to split them up. You will know from the level of sheer tension when you get into serious territory.

Make sure that you remove any of the most likely flashpoints for problems, like hideys with just one exit. if you can give them an area each at opposite ends of the cage with access to hay in the middle and everything in twos.

Thanks @Wiebke i've popped them out in the run for a bit as they have double the space out there and it's a lovely day here. This time i've left the pigloos inside as they only have 1 exit.

 

[2newfriends]

ahh that's interesting to know about the coat. This is the second time I've seen this and both times it's been from Dance who is the more dominant piggie so i thought it would have been unusual for Rolo to have gone for him.

I've still got so much more to learn.

Thanks again x

 

[Wiebke]

ahh that's interesting to know about the coat. This is the second time I've seen this and both times it's been from Dance who is the more dominant piggie so i thought it would have been unusual for Rolo to have gone for him.

I've still got so much more to learn.

Thanks again x

It can be hair stuck together from nibbling on it when cleaning. It necessary, have the skin checked for any minor itching.

If you have a large enough cage and run, I would recommend investing in a couple of cheap plastic children's stools - they make ideal hideys for young and teenage boys both in a cage and a run! Or otherwise use log tunnels as hideys.

Your boys are likey just at the age where the very sharp tips of their baby nails are about start to grow out, but are not yet long enough to cut. When you can do so safely, just nip off the very tip; not more than 1 mm max.

 

[2newfriends]

It can be hair stuck together from nibbling on it when cleaning. It necessary, have the skin checked for any minor itching.

If you have a large enough cage and run, I would recommend investing in a couple of cheap plastic children's stools - they make ideal hideys for young and teenage boys both in a cage and a run! Or otherwise use log tunnels as hideys.

Your boys are likey just at the age where the very sharp tips of their baby nails are about start to grow out, but are not yet long enough to cut. When you can do so safely, just nip off the very tip; not more than 1 mm max.

funnily I was watching youtube videos on how to cut nails yesterday! I checked them this morning and there is only a very small amount of white tip at the min, and unfortunately for me, they both have more black nails than white, so when I do it I will be very cautious and only do 1mm.

and I will find some little plastic stools too. I'm in the process of making them a 6 x (nearly) 2 c&c cage so they will have plenty of room.

Thanks for reassuring me,

 

[Wiebke]

funnily I was watching youtube videos on how to cut nails yesterday! I checked them this morning and there is only a very small amount of white tip at the min, and unfortunately for me, they both have more black nails than white, so when I do it I will be very cautious and only do 1mm.

and I will find some little plastic stools too. I'm in the process of making them a 6 x (nearly) 2 c&c cage so they will have plenty of room.

Thanks for reassuring me,

With black nails I would recommend to wait a bit longer to make sure that you you do not cut the quick. Hold the nails against a source of light and if possible that with a light coloured foot first.

 

[2newfriends]

With black nails I would recommend to wait a bit longer to make sure that you you do not cut the quick. Hold the nails against a source of light and if possible that with a light coloured foot first.

will do, thanks x