Thanks Wiebke. I'm at work currently worrying about what Puck might be up to... He and Bhalu are practically free range in my apartment as I usually just leave their cage open so this is probably why he thinks the whole apartment is "his". I do hope he calms down... I feel so bad for sweet, gentle Bhalu who always has to put up with Puck's volatile moods. I'll consider splitting them if necessary but they usually both hate this!
Would neutering Puck help at all? I know this forum generally advises that neutering doesn't change behaviour but he is one testosterone-laden troublemaker!
To be honest, no, neutering will not change his personality and behaviour. A lot of the testosterone is actually secreted via the urine (hence the spray fests), and that doesn't stop with neutering.
Nor does neutering calm down a piggy instantly - my 6 months old Nye was as hormone juicy as any unneutered boar of his age and went through all the typical phases of puberty despite his neutering op. I had him only neutered because most of my piggies are sows, and the risk of an accidental encounter is always there.
The good news is that the testosterone output generally slows down somewhat when a boar reaches adulthood until it pretty much fizzles out in old age. However, the general attitude and outlook on life will never change, as my dominant boar Hywel (who was neutered because he bullied any boar he was tried with) is proof of - Hywel went on to happily bully some of his wives throughout his life and he was certainly upset when I started to introduce other husboars into the household. But even Hywel mellowed considerably once he was about 5 years old or so.
Neutering can cap some of the very worst excess, but you have to consider whether the operation is worth it, as it is not as effective as you might wish, nor is the effect instant.
Tips:
- either divide (different rooms) or time-share the roaming areas and make sure that the boars cannot meet under any circumstances.
In your case, the first option is likely the better one to prevent Puck from venting his frustration on Bhalu too much and to give Bhalu a chance to get away from him. But you have to best look a connecting door before you leave and also make sure that there is barrier to prevent Puck from getting into the other piggies' room when you are around.
The other option is to time share with alternating days, but that is going to mean some major outrage over the scent marking from the group in the first weeks until Puck gets used to the arrangement. it has the advantage that there is no risk of accidental meetings, but it may take more time for Puck to accept it.
- keep the cages and boars out of sight of each other and ideally on different levels, so Puck cannot get at the other cage physically.
- Puck comes always first. It is important that you observe the hierarchy, too, especially with very dominant piggies.
I am freaking out - have I just put Puck and Bhalu's relationship in danger by bringing in more pigs? I didn't think there would be issues if they are in separate cages. Does anyone else have a crazy hyperdominant pig and has had a similar experience? Will he calm down?
