Another Mo & Steve Query

[Jesse's pigs]

So by now I'm guessing Steve has gone through his teenage hormone stage. He's testicles have descended etc and he's definitely bigger then he was. Last night and now tonight (can't speak for the day as I wasn't here all day) They seem a bit uptight with each other. No full on biting or any real signs that I should separate. But there's been rumbling (again) and some nipping and a bit of teeth chattering- quite loud. As said this happened last night and though I stayed up awhile waiting anxiously to see if they'd fight I mustve fell asleep and when I woke both were ok.

I keep having nightmares that they'll fall out. My friend had quite a few boar pairings and only one has remained. I really don't want these two to fall out. They still eat together and a couple of minutes ago (before I jinxed it) Mo was sprawled out asleep with Steve facing him. I mean it's not going on 24/7 and already seems calmer then last night.

I dint know if it's partly due to Mo's grease gland? He has an active one and occasionally it flares up (like now) and though I clean it can get a tad uncomfortable for him (I have seen a vet over this) could that be making him a bit uptight? I can't blame just Mo. Steve has been a bit more testing.


I'd like to think they are well bonded. They eat together still and sleep next to each other sometimes. Sometimes they'll even popcorn together after one starts and Mo is gentle with him - Steve has a tendency to run zoomies and crash into Mo lol. Only a couple of days ago Steve went crazy squeaking at me cos I put Mo back in his cage for a toilet break.

 

[piggieminder]

I'm no expert but they sound like typical boars to me. The worst time for hormone spikes is up to approx 14 months so Steve wont be there yet. Mine have rumbles and snaps at several points every day one pairs about 10 month and the others are 3 years. Even the 3 year olds have tiffs when they both want the same bit of hay out of the hundreds on offer or want to sit on the same square inch of fleece. One thing that ends to happen with an older and a younger boar pairing is that as the young one gets older he challenges for top spot, effectively saying 'come on you're an old man now and I'm young and strong and taking over', the older boar is having none of this and argues back! Although any bonds can break down at any time I've had several pairs of boars and it's never happened so I keep telling myself it won't (touching wood). I think they pick up on our tension and moods so try to forget about them falling out and relax, enjoy them, easier said than done I know.

 

[Reenie]

Typical boys. Hormones will be around for a while. I love boars because of all the excitement, great fun to watch. As long as they're not fighting, you're winning. All the dominance behaviour is just them reminding each other what the hierarchy is.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

I'm no expert but they sound like typical boars to me. The worst time for hormone spikes is up to approx 14 months so Steve wont be there yet. Mine have rumbles and snaps at several points every day one pairs about 10 month and the others are 3 years. Even the 3 year olds have tiffs when they both want the same bit of hay out of the hundreds on offer or want to sit on the same square inch of fleece. One thing that ends to happen with an older and a younger boar pairing is that as the young one gets older he challenges for top spot, effectively saying 'come on you're an old man now and I'm young and strong and taking over', the older boar is having none of this and argues back! Although any bonds can break down at any time I've had several pairs of boars and it's never happened so I keep telling myself it won't (touching wood). I think they pick up on our tension and moods so try to forget about them falling out and relax, enjoy them, easier said than done I know.

Feel a bit better now haha. I'm sorry nearly all my threads (recently anyway) are on what Mo and Steve are doing lol. I just dread my first boar pairing failing. Though it's good to hear that it's never happened to you. Phew I think I'll be a bit calmer when they have their little moments next time.

Typical boys. Hormones will be around for a while. I love boars because of all the excitement, great fun to watch. As long as they're not fighting, you're winning. All the dominance behaviour is just them reminding each other what the hierarchy is.

They are definitely entertaining! Lol. The things I've witnessed this pair doing have sometimes left my I'm tears. And then other times I'm a wreck when they do this!

 

[Wiebke]

Even when boars are out of puberty, they can have the odd hormone spike. It usually doesn't last long and only leads to the occasional spat. My Nye is currently at this stage with his boarmate Nosgan. I am not worried, as thy are clearly not going right up to the limit.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Even when boars are out of puberty, they can have the odd hormone spike. It usually doesn't last long and only leads to the occasional spat. My Nye is currently at this stage with his boarmate Nosgan. I am not worried, as thy are clearly not going right up to the limit.

I am probably totally blowing it out of proportion and if I could speak guinea pig would hear them just telling each other to get out of each others way haha. Still having a grumble now (cough Mo)but they don't stay at each other. They do it then they go away it's not like they are seeking out a fight I guess.

 

[Betsy]

I had Christian and Betsy circling each other tonight and nipping each other but only the normal dominance nips. Thankfully nothing came of it and it only lasted a couple of turns. They soon settled down next to each other again and were happily chatting away to one another. They have been together a lot recently far more than is usual. Betsy usually pals up with Dennis not Christian maybe she was telling him to get lost. I do have a plan B. I'll pair Betsy with Dennis in the bottom of the hutch and Christian with Velvet and Meg in the top and cover over the hole the ramp goes in with a piece of wood. I need to get a new hutch in the spring anyway so I'll make sure it has two separate floors if I need to. I'll keep a close eye on Christian and Betsy over the next day or so and if it happens again I'll revert to plan B,

 

[Swissgreys]

And I have to add that this sort of thing can also happen with girls.
Ruby is our dominant sow and soemtimes she seems to be pushing her cagemate (sorry Lucy) ot the absolute limit - lots of rumble strutting, mounting, urine spraying, etc and I am convinced they are on the verge of falling out.
But in between they seem quite content with each other (they don't sleep together or anything, but they muddle along quite nicely) so for now I leave them to it.
When they seem to be having a hormonal day I just throw endless piles of good quality hay and fresh grass into their cage and hope for the best - so far it seems to be working.

 

[Lorcan]

Ah, teenage boars. My two are coming up on 13 months now and so far tonight Comet's sat on Blitzen, Blitzen's kicked Comet out in retaliation, and Comet's come back to annoy B at every given opportunity.

And now he's trying to arrange zoomies circuits through Blitzen. Not around. Through.

At this point I just let them do it. If the squealing gets particularly anxious (and Blitzen usually does) then I'll Poké my head round but beyond that I just remind myself that actually they're more okay with this than I am, which is the important thing.

 

[Reenie]

Lol. Laughing at Blitzen sitting on Comet. Yesterday Groucho was resting happily in a fleece tunnel (homemade dontcha know) and Chicco sat on top of it squashing both the tunnel and Groucho. They stayed like that for ages.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

How big is your cage? You could always expand it to give them more space to get away from each other