2 year old boars dominance issues

[evilsheepy]

We have two boars who are 2 ¼ years old. The dominant piggie has always been the dominant one but the other one has been okay with this and has never challenged for dominance until last Saturday. He started burring, dancing, hip swinging at the dominant pig. The dominant pig has tried to ignore him / run away from him but there becomes a point where he snaps at him and it generally ends in the non-dominant pig running into the wall of the tank. There has been a couple of times where this has resulted in the none dominant pig getting cuts round him mouth and the dominant one sitting in one of the tubes in the tank and sounding like he's crying.

It’s nearly a week later and he is still challenging for dominance (even waking up the dominant pig when he’s sleeping). Is there anything that we can do to stop this because the dominant pig is getting upset that he’s being pestered so much and each time they fight it does not end well for the other pig? We just want him to stop trying to be the dominant pig. It's really strange how after two years the relationship can suddenly change like this.

We are taking them both to the vets tomorrow to get the dominant pig checked over to make sure he isn’t ill and also to make the cuts that the other one has are okay but if they do both get a clean bill of health we are at a loss as to what to do to sort this situation out.

 

[blade100]

I'm new to piggies too but from what I've read once there has been blood drawn you have to separate them as they will never be able to get on again.
Also I noticed you mention there in a tank! A glass tank?

 

[evilsheepy]

They are in a bespoke cage that we have built which is 2 grids wide and 7 long. It takes up most of our attic room but it means there's 2 of everything. I'd be very reluctant to split them up after they've been together for so long with no problems

 

[gogoguineas]

Piggies, and I feel more so with boars, have intricate personalities just like humans, you know how we go off people? well so do pigs! I feel if they're continuing to injure each other then they're persistently trying to tell you they're no longer happy sharing their living space with each other. In times like these I feel we need to put our feelings aside and do what's best for the piggies and in this case I would separate, a pig sounding like he's crying doesn't sound good, it could be the submissive cry but either way, once they're gone beyond rumbling and chasing and are drawing blood you're on a surefire path to a more serious injury at some point in the near future. If it were me I'd be looking to alter the bespoke cage to one with a grid or mesh between them so they can see and talk to each other but have their own space. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[MerryPip]

Drawing blood does not always mean separation is the best option but in this case the fact that blood has been drawn on more than one occasion and both piggies are clearly distressed I would highly recommend separating them.

Like people, piggies can be fine for a while but circumstances and all manner of there things can cause the relationship to break down. I have been in a situation with piggies like this before and it can result in serious injury and all the vet bills and distress that goes along with that.

The best option in my opinion would be to separate them by using grids to divide your cage at them moment so they can still see and smell each other but not inflict any injuries and then you can take some time to work out what you want to do. The options would be to keep them as separate single males (not a great solution for you or them), rehome one and re-bond the other with another boar by dating or with a spayed female at a reputable rescue (if you add your location to your user profile we can advise or use the rescue locator at the top of the page) or you could get the remaining piggy neutered and find him a lady friend. Neutered boar/sow pairs are often the most stable but boar dating gives your lads the chance to find the friend that suits them best of the same sex and if you use a reputable rescue like the ones on our locator you will get plenty of advice, help and back up as you make these decisions.

It's a horrible situation to be in but as Gogoguineas says and I have found sometimes we have to put aside our feelings a bit for the welfare of the piggy. I had to give one of my lads up to a friend who now has him neutered and with a lady friend after he and one of my other lads had an almighty bust up resulting in very nasty bite wounds. They were both so much happier once they were re-bonded with a new friend and although it hurt a lot to give Arran up and I felt like the most awful piggy mummy, I know now it was absolutely the best thing to do as both pairs of piggies are so much happier.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

 

[vitka123]

I have the same problem. I had to seperate my 2 piggies as they started fighting. Through summer they are outside, their hutches are next to each other and they see each other when they go outside in their runs. They seem to be always going out the same time and sit next to each other. Now its winter they are in garage, so i make sure i take them out for couple of hours on the floor but still keep them seperated with a part of a metal outside run, soo they can still smell and see each other and it seems to be working.
Getting a spayed pigge its a very good idea but i need to wait till i move out (hopefully next year) and I shall adopt some appriopriate companions for my boys
If you don't have such problems and can get more piggies, its a fantastic idea! but i would go with a spayed female if * can get one I can blab for ages about my babies sorry

Good Luck!

 

[Wiebke]

I am sorry; fall-outs between adult boars are usually rare, but there seems to be a serious issue at the bottom of it as there have been scratches and bites to the mouth area. Upsets between your piggies are always a very worrying time!

Like the other posters, I would also recommend a trial separation; at least it will show you your two boys' true feelings for each other. If one is perking up noticeably when away from his mate, you will know that he has not been happy. If both want to be back together, you know that they are basically OK together and you can try to re-introduce them after a "buddy bath" the next day. Let the boys make the decision for you, but be honest if one doesn't want to go back. There are alternatives, as Merrypip has laid out .

 

[evilsheepy]

Thanks for the advice everyone. We're going to expand the tank and split it in two. As you say, they'll still be able to see and smell each other but they won't be able to injure each other.

 

[xkatymayx]

My 2 boars had a similar thing where they fell out and drew blood when they were 1.5 years old. I separated them with grids across the middle of their 2x5 C&C, but the dominant pig would spend all of his time at the divider gnawing at the bars and rumbling up and down the divider. They weren't happy divided like that, they were still challenging each other. I have since had them castrated and they both have 2 lady friends each and they seem to be so much happier now! I recommend getting them some lady friends to impress