Boar Brothers

[Jo83]

Hi
I’m a new pig mum have no experience & have just rehomed 2 boars who are just over 2months old, I’ve read a lot about the dominance behaviours which I’m expecting but think its probably a bit early to have started just yet although the 1 pig does already seem to be purring at the other. I’m just a bit worried as we’re entering their teenage years & ive only had them a day so don’t really know them yet, they will be left to their own devices quite a lot while I’m in work & I’m really worried they may hurt each other while I’m not here, is there any signs I should be looking out for specifically? Has anyone else had the same issue of having to leave boars of this age on their own for hours everyday? I’ve ordered a cage divider but guessing I should only use this if I actually see them fight?
Any help/advice will be appreciated

 

[Bill & Ted]

Hello and Welcome to the forum

Dominance behaviour is perfectly normal to guinea pigs Male or female. They have a hierarchy system where there will always be a top piggie, this animal is the one in charge and keeps all the other piggies in place. So number one is top dog, number two is the next one down, this keeps going right down to the under pig which is at the bottom of the pack so to speak, it also depends how many piggies you have.
In your case you will have a top dog and an under pig (boars need to be kept in pairs, don’t add anymore or there will be serious fallouts and trouble) Females can live in all female groups or have one neutered boar too.
Please do not separate at this young age, what you are seeing is them working out who’s going to be boss, it’s perfectly normal behaviour, along with humping, chasing, mild teeth chattering, and standoffs, so please don’t interrupt this and let them sort this out themselves. You should never separate unless a serious fight happens and blood has been drawn, which is very unlikely for piggies at that age. The teenage years can be difficult but most boar pairs do get through it.
The key to success is a having plenty of space, I.e. a absolute minimum of 150 x 60cm space for two boars. Scatter pellets/veggies/herbs/hay on the floor so no pig gets to hog a food bowl. Two cosies, two water bottles. Always leave a little “old” hay in when you clean them out so their scent is still there, it help to stop them remarking again.
Don’t worry about leaving them alone when you are at work, they will be perfectly fine. Just remember that what looks unkind to you is normal piggie behaviour, the worst thing you can do is separate because they will have to start their relationship right back at the beginning which is very difficult for them. Sometimes once separated they will never go back together again, this would be so sad at this stage in their young lives.
Please read through the Guinea Pig Guides on the forum, they are written by very experience owners and don’t pay heed what you read on other sites, where some information is extremely poor
Behaviour, Bonding & Bereavement Guides
Most of all, get to know your boys and enjoy them, don’t spend all your time worrying, that would be such a shame, have fun!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Please don’t worry unnecessarily. Dominance behaviour is totally normal and it absolutely will increase as they hit their teens but it doesn’t mean they are necessarily going to fight and it really isn’t something you should be worrying about unduly. If you panic and separate too early or unduly, then you interrupt their processes which will cause them to start all over again if you try to reintroduce, thereby causing more dominance behaviours to be displayed. Enjoy your piggies!
In terms of the advice, Do not separate them unless there is a full on blood drawing fight.

The key to boars is having a large cage - a minimum of 150cm x 60cm but the more space you can give the better. Respect their hierarchy - handle the dominant pig first. Have multiple of every item, food bowls etc. Aside from that, you need to leave them to sort themselves out.

 

[Jo83]

Thanks so much for the reply’s, I’ve got 2 of everything & have made sure there’s 2 exits on the hidey houses for now although I think I may have to invest in a new cage, mines 140cm long which was ok’d with the rspca but I’d rather get a new one if it will help.
They are still very skittish at the moment, how long would you recommend before getting them out for a run?
I wouldn’t separate them unless I had to, just want to be prepared incase the worst happened!

 

[Piggies&buns]

A lot of it will depend on your set up, whether you have other pets etc, but it may be possible to add a permanent playpen to their cage rather than buying a new one altogether. A few c&c grids around the front and leave the cage door always open to give them permanent access to a bit more room and that would be fine as long as they will be safe. A 140cm cage is a good cage, it is above rspca minimum standards but with boys we recommend the more space the better as it can just help to ease tensions particularly once they are teens.

When you get them out will be dependent upon them but I would say to let them settle for a week or so in their cage before you let them out. Take it at their pace though. Do bear in mind that they may always be skittish though, piggies aren’t always cuddly. I’ve had my boys for 18 months and of them still runs off when I go near (although he has made improvement since I first brought them home, he is never going to be one for cuddles)