Behavioural Issue with trio of male pigs HELP!!

[Yukiren88]

We are having issues with a trio of male guinea pigs that we purchased around a month ago (14 weeks old) and looking to get some advice.

For some background: They were all purchased together and came from the same breeder however 2 of the pigs are continually attacking the other with one fight in particular resulting in a little cut around the ear.

We have tried keeping them together to see if they can simply work it out and establish a hierarchy but even though the third pig is relatively submissive and runs away, the other two will continue to target him and actively pursue.

We have separated them for a night and attempted to reintroduce but this shortly ends in the same result; we recently tried bathing two of them and reintroducing in a neutral environment with no obvious improvement.

Currently we have two cages side-by-side (two in one cage and the other in the second) so that they can see each other but not physically interact.

We are considering neutering either some or all of them as well but when we’ve researched this, it appears this has little to no impact on their behaviour?

Can anyone advise as to what else can be tried or if the side-by-side cage is the best compromise?

 

[DM030819]

@Yukiren88 A trio of boars very rarely works, and as your boys are already fighting then it's not going to work for your three.

You need to either rehome the single boar, have him neutered and find him a wife, or find a boar that he gets on with.

Good luck!

 

[Elthysia]

@Yukiren88 A trio of boars very rarely works, and as your boys are already fighting then it's not going to work for your three.

You need to either rehome the single boar, have him neutered and find him a wife, or find a boar that he gets on with.

Good luck!

I completely agree with the above: trios of boars rarely work and in fact it is going to get much worse when they hit their teenage months (up to about 18 months old). Bonding baths are no longer advised (it is more of a shock tactic by making everyone so scared and upset they temporarily stop fighting ) but if pigs don’t like each other they won’t get along no matter how often you try.

A bit like trying to make two humans have a happy marriage if they don’t like each other.

As said above, either have your single boar neutered and find him a sow (please note not to introduce a sow for 6 weeks after the neutering as they can still impregnate sows, regardless of the vet telling you “2 weeks is fine”) or finding another boar he gets on with (taking him boar dating at a rescue for example.

Introducing 1 sow in the room may cause some issues though as the other boys will be able to smell her but not get to her.

 

[cavylover2002]

Trios of boars are rare and almost never work out. Only groups of females can be kept. Unfortunately, the breeder should of already told you this instead of allowing you to adopt them all. This is a common mistake.
I hope everything works out okay please update us in the meantime!

 

[VickiA]

I am sorry that the breeder irresponsibly sold you a trio of juvenile boars. They should well know that a this combination is only in extremely rare circumstances going to make it through to adulthood as a trio. This forum is full of threads about this very subject.

Sadly neutering the boars will not alter their behaviour. It will only render them infertile. The poor boys are rampant with hormones and can't help it. With boars you cannot separate and re-introduce. In your circumstances the only thing to do is to keep them as you are doing in side by side cages as a pair and a single. The options for your single boar are limited but are as detailed in the above posts. Please don't try to put them back together again as you may end up with serious injuries and possibly damage the bond in the pair, resulting in 3 solo boar piggies none of whom can live together.

 

[Wiebke]

We are having issues with a trio of male guinea pigs that we purchased around a month ago (14 weeks old) and looking to get some advice.

For some background: They were all purchased together and came from the same breeder however 2 of the pigs are continually attacking the other with one fight in particular resulting in a little cut around the ear.

We have tried keeping them together to see if they can simply work it out and establish a hierarchy but even though the third pig is relatively submissive and runs away, the other two will continue to target him and actively pursue.

We have separated them for a night and attempted to reintroduce but this shortly ends in the same result; we recently tried bathing two of them and reintroducing in a neutral environment with no obvious improvement.

Currently we have two cages side-by-side (two in one cage and the other in the second) so that they can see each other but not physically interact.

We are considering neutering either some or all of them as well but when we’ve researched this, it appears this has little to no impact on their behaviour?

Can anyone advise as to what else can be tried or if the side-by-side cage is the best compromise?

Hi and welcome!

Unfortunately baby boar trios rarely work out once they hit the teenage months. It is unfortunately a long debunked but perpetuated breeder myth that brothers won't fall out.

Please take the time to carefully read this guide here. It will take you in detail through all the aspects of the situation you are in and will offer you solutions and options for any stage. Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

Personally I would strongly recommend to remove the bullied boar now and keep him in adjoining cage where he has company but is safe from attack.