Hello, this is my first post here, so apologies if this topic has been done to death but I'm really after some advice, please.
So, I have recently rescued three male boar - around 8mths old - from a lady who was struggling to look after them due to pregnancy. I was told they were firmly bonded so, despite my reservations with 3 boys together! - agreed to take them in. I have had guinea pigs my whole life (including my other two boar who are firmly bonded, 10 yrs and 5 yrs respectively and obviously live separately to the new additions.)
Anyway, they're kept in a 8ft x 4ft enclosure and I have a separate 6ft x 5ft run on my lawn that they have been going on daily. From the moment I had them there has been squabbling that has progressively got worse to the point where blood has been drawn. The smallest pig is 100% the culprit and is absolutely bullying the other two. They have three of everything - food bowls, hay piles, water bottles, 3 hides etc etc, plenty of enrichment and activities, but the behaviour is getting worse. When they are on the lawn they all seem absolutely fine together and often choose to go in the same hide - the behaviour is definitely worse when put back in their C&C set up inside. Also, I would say that they fight most during morning and evening, and then calm down for the rest of the day - so please don't think I'm being ignorant in not separating fully immediately as it is by no means constant.
I spoke to the lady who said that behaviour wasn't exhibited when she had them, but that the smallest one did tend to be the most bold.
My questions are - how likely is it that this behaviour will settle down? Is it possibly attributed to a change of territory/environment that's made this so bad? Should I separate as a precaution? Or is it then less likely that they can be reintroduced? As in, is separation then permanent? I cannot keep them separate indefinitely as I simply don't have the room to duplicate enclosures, especially as I have two other boar as well. Am I right in thinking that neutering is futile in regards to impact on behaviour?
Keen for any advice/suggestions please
Thanks so much
So, I have recently rescued three male boar - around 8mths old - from a lady who was struggling to look after them due to pregnancy. I was told they were firmly bonded so, despite my reservations with 3 boys together! - agreed to take them in. I have had guinea pigs my whole life (including my other two boar who are firmly bonded, 10 yrs and 5 yrs respectively and obviously live separately to the new additions.)
Anyway, they're kept in a 8ft x 4ft enclosure and I have a separate 6ft x 5ft run on my lawn that they have been going on daily. From the moment I had them there has been squabbling that has progressively got worse to the point where blood has been drawn. The smallest pig is 100% the culprit and is absolutely bullying the other two. They have three of everything - food bowls, hay piles, water bottles, 3 hides etc etc, plenty of enrichment and activities, but the behaviour is getting worse. When they are on the lawn they all seem absolutely fine together and often choose to go in the same hide - the behaviour is definitely worse when put back in their C&C set up inside. Also, I would say that they fight most during morning and evening, and then calm down for the rest of the day - so please don't think I'm being ignorant in not separating fully immediately as it is by no means constant.
I spoke to the lady who said that behaviour wasn't exhibited when she had them, but that the smallest one did tend to be the most bold.
My questions are - how likely is it that this behaviour will settle down? Is it possibly attributed to a change of territory/environment that's made this so bad? Should I separate as a precaution? Or is it then less likely that they can be reintroduced? As in, is separation then permanent? I cannot keep them separate indefinitely as I simply don't have the room to duplicate enclosures, especially as I have two other boar as well. Am I right in thinking that neutering is futile in regards to impact on behaviour?
Keen for any advice/suggestions please
Thanks so much