Boar brothers dominance.

[Skinnycow83]

Hello everyone- happy post Christmas to you all. Sorry this post is long but I want to put as much info as possible. We’ve had our skinny pig boys Renton and Spud for around a month- making them approximately 13 weeks. They appear to have fully descended man danglers so we think they are teenagers. They are litter brothers and we bought them (we had to get skinnies due to my partners fur allergies so struggled to adopt) reported to be a bonded pair. Now- we have learnt an awful lot in the last month. (I posted on our second day about rumble strutting and got some good advice) they now have a 6x2 c+c, two of everything - are kept very warm, with unlimited hay- we supervise pellet /veg feeding abs are mindful of Renton stealing Spuds food. Spud is our little one and has not been gaining weight (addressed on another thread) but since upping his intake of pellets on advice of vet to 1tbsp a day each he seems to be gaining - albeit slowly). We have this week noticed a sharp increase in rumbling and chasing- mainly Renton at Spud, though Spud does give it back- chasing Renton at times. Usually though- R rumbas and S whines or runs away. They like to argue over one particular hideaway- All our hideaways have two exits- There has been lunging and the odd nip- though no blood yet (I’m terrified of that- I adore my boys). I’ve read the guides about teenage years and boars many times and I know this is ‘normal’ but it scares me. Whilst they could live side by side in the c&c we are not in the position to obtain any wives yet and with husband allergic we can’t have furries so it’s much harder to date the lads. My question is a should I leave them to sort this out or at what point do I intervene- so I wait till blood is drawn? I'm spending a lot of time with them over Christmas so seeing all the facets of teenage boar life!
They do graze together and will huddle up of scared (terrifying dustpan and brush I need to sweep up their hay which is now the dominant feature of our spare room ) but spud WILL try and get in the hideaway with Renton growling away and then one of them lunges abs they are more grouchy around veg time. Thank you for any advice- any lived experience with teenage boys welcome, just want to keep my boys (especially little Spud who is smaller that Renton-,not just weight , he’s got a smaller frame) safe. And I’m worried about them stressing each other out! And me- Thank you E- anxious mum.

 

[Piggies&buns]

They are coming into their teens, hormones are rising. The highest hormone output is around 6 months of age but highs a s spikes continue right through to around 15 months of age.
Renton is dominant and spud is submitting to him (the whining signifies this). Leave them to sort it out but keep an eye on them.
If there is one hidey which is causing a problem, then remove the hidey altogether.

Bonds In Trouble

 

[Skinnycow83]

Thank you- this was pretty much my thinking but I guess I just wanted some reassurance from you more knowledgable people. I feel like my learning curve has been about 90degrees this month! Thank goodness for this forum! I’ll find an alternative to the chalet.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Oh dear, sounds like your boys are really entering their hormonal teens! Yes you might need to completely confiscate anything causing arguments, we had to completely ban haycubes for 3 months when my first 2 girls were 16 weeks old because they just could not share nicely or take turns, it was 24 hour haycube warfare and then a nasty nose nip so it just had to be stopped!
Paws crossed your boys will settle their differences, no guarantees of course but with enough space (and they have that in a 6x2) and removing or duplicating anything they might fight over you are giving them the best chance to work things out x

 

[Skinnycow83]

Thank you- it was like a switch went off and Renton forgot how to walk properly- I think the seagrass chalet is causing arguments. I wash their plush hidey tunnels each week and then put a bit old bedding in there when I put it back. But the hut- well, it’s very boarish- which they seem to love, bless their smelly bottoms and can’t be cleaned in the same way. I suspect scented wees in abundance are going on in there!
We hope one day we may be able to marry them up to suitable wives, but I’m really hoping we can make to adulthood without having to split them up. We shall have to wait and see. Xxxxxx

 

[Siikibam]

If they make it through their teens together then I would leave them together as a bonded pair, rather than split and get them a sow.

Teens in boars can be quite tense. But if you know what to look out for you’ll be fine. There’ll be chasing, teeth chattering and whining but it should hopefully settle down. It does look worse than it is! I know because I have a boar pair that made it through their teens. There was one evening with a lot of chasing, mounting and humping. A good two hours at least

 

[Skinnycow83]

Thank you that is massively reassuring- I’m a helicopter parent ready to dive in and separate when everything I have read says let them sort it out. But it’s hard to hold back!

 

[Mr5c]

How are they getting on now? I’ve joined this forum and my New Guinea sons I witnessed a little scuffle last night and now I’m freaking out- chasing some teeth chattering and one lunge

they are all snuggles and love today but it’s freaked me out! They are litter brothers approaching 3 months x

 

[Piggies&buns]

How are they getting on now? I’ve joined this forum and my New Guinea sons I witnessed a little scuffle last night and now I’m freaking out- chasing some teeth chattering and one lunge

they are all snuggles and love today but it’s freaked me out! They are litter brothers approaching 3 months x

It’s important to recognise the difference between normal dominance and a problem in their relationship. il
add guides below which explain the levels of dominance from normal to when things become concerning.
At their age, they are coming up to their teens and it’s normal to see an increase in dominance behaviours. Unfortunately being litter brothers does not guarantee they will be compatible though so it’s always something to keep in mind.
When they are displaying normal dominance, you just leave them to it. It’s something they need to go through. If they have a full on , blood drawing, rolling around in a fur ball fight, then sadly that warrants immediate and permanent separation. Their bond is broken, they don’t like each other and cannot continue to live together.
Ensure they have lots of space - it’s important boars have a large cage As they are more territorial, ideally measuring 180x60cm, and that all hides have two exits so no piggy can get cornered in a hide by the other. Also ensure multiple of every item - ie two hay areas etc

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

 

[Skinnycow83]

How are they getting on now? I’ve joined this forum and my New Guinea sons I witnessed a little scuffle last night and now I’m freaking out- chasing some teeth chattering and one lunge

they are all snuggles and love today but it’s freaked me out! They are litter brothers approaching 3 months x

Hiya, so they are still together at the moment. We think Ren is top piggy and little Spud is bottom. Ren is the main rumbler, teeth chatterbox and has lunged a few times. Lunging is less agressive and more a strong ‘back off’ signal. What’s important is how the other pig reacts- Spud ran off whining which is what he was meant to do. He was charging round crashing into his brother which triggered it. The need their own space and have a 6x2 cc cage , two of everything and we ensure they have plenty of food. When food goes down they get Aggy. The current new fad is scent marking. They stink to high heaven at the moment. You have all this to look forward to - ours are 6 months now- little tykes that they are. They eat side by side and and chatter to each other but they aren’t snuggly- boys I guess. He’s a pic of a smelly burrito.