Brothers fell out, now what?

[Lubblobba]

I have two new boys who are brothers and only just hit 3 months old. One of them is very hormonal and constantly annoying his brother, who clearly just wants to be left alone. Unfortunately this escalated to fighting and they're now separated.

The question is what now? I'd prefer to keep them both but have no capacity to bring in more pigs to try to bond with both of them. They could live next to each other but in my experience the pigs will bite the bars and try to get to each other - is there any way to deal with this?

They actually seem to get on well except for one pestering the other, but I'm guessing since they've now had a tumble it would be unwise to ever try bonding again?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear that.
You are right; now they have had a fight, rebonding is not likely. Fights occurs due to incompatibility and sadly that never changes going forward.

They absolutely can live side by side happily - many of us have that exact situation, myself included (one of my pairs broke down as youngsters and have lived side by side for well over two years now).
Bar biting and other territorial behaviours can and do initially occur but usually settles down once they get used to the new arrangements.
If not, there are things you can do such as covering the bars temporarily and then slowly removing the cover over a number of days until they can fully see each other again; having two separate cages rather than c&c with a divider and then separating the cages very slightly so they don’t feel quite so territorial.

If you really can’t have them side by side then I’m afraid your only option is to rehome one and find a new friend for the other.

Thread 'Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?'

May 22, 2015

1 The hormonal teenage months
- What are the most difficult times?
- What are your boars' chances of making it together?
- What can help to boost your boys' chances?
- What does NOT work?
2 Fighting, bullying and when to separate
- What are the signs of a dysfunctional bond?
- How can I test whether a bond is no longer working?
- What to do if your boars had a bloody fight?
3 Life after...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Behaviour, Bonds and Species Understanding

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