A different kind of dominance behaviour? - help!

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Sabrinova

Sabrinova

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My boys are currently on their floor time, before I disturbed them to clean their cage they were both happily side by side in their cage. Then as soon as they came out, Milo started chasing Gilbert and trying to mount him! Now they are two years old and haven't done that before, but Gilbert cleverly distracted him by pulling the hay manger off the cage and onto the floor. But now Milo has started doing a sort of sideways leap onto Gilbert, which looks really strange and is starting to pee Gilbert off a bit. He shoves Milo away, but is clearly startled each time. It's difficult to describe because it looks almost like a popcorn, but he's starting off sideways on to Gilbert then sort of hurling himself at him bum first! :o

Should I be worried? Is this normal dominance behaviour? But why start now at 2 years old? Surely Milo is well past adolescence by now? And why when they have so much space? Could it be he is just playing?

Whoops we're back to trying to mount again now. I guess I just have to let Gilbert stick up for himself, but I don't like to see one of my boys behaving like this towards the other 8...
 
Breathe.... in and out!

It looks worse than it is and will soon settle, is he the dominant pig?
 
You must have some very laid back boys that you haven't come across this before.

Obviously some testosterone is saying hello; hopefully it will calm down again. But you do not need worry, it counts as normal behaviour!

Here is more about boar behaviour and when to worry: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=28949
 
Thanks Joanne :) I've actually never quite figured out which is the dominant one, Milo acts like he's in charge sometimes and Gilbert lets him, but more as though he's humouring a cocky brat. Gilbert is the chilled out confident one, quietly assured, and Milo quickly falls into line behind Gilbert if he's at all unsure, or when his cockiness wears off. He's always seemed to respect Gilbert as his older, wiser brother (although he's only about two months older and Gilbert came to me two weeks before Milo). Until right now when he's being a little swine :(
 
Ok they are both back in their pen now and chilling out after sharing some cucumber :) I hope that doesn't happen again.... :...
 
It might happen every now and again, but you seem to have a very chilled out pair! Be glad!
 
Wiebke said:
It might happen every now and again, but you seem to have a very chilled out pair! Be glad!
Click to expand...

I know I'm lucky! Introducing them was a dream, they just accepted each other straight away and were instant best friends, and they've always stayed that way - which is why I was so horrified to see that behaviour this evening.

Thank you for your support :)
 
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