Can they stay together?

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Hi,

I'm a first time poster, with a question about my daughter's 2 males piggies, Toffee and Popcorn.

First off, I just read the 'sticky' re: male behaviour, and it was really helpful - but I've still got a question... :)

The piggies are a bit over a year old now, brothers from the same litter, we've had them for nearly a year. They share a large cage with space to run around and lots to keep them busy, loads of fresh hay to tunnel in and chew every day, and at least an hour's floor time daily...

As they grew older they have regularly had bouts of noisy chasing-and-mounting, with neither guinea pig consistently the dominant one. When they're not chasing around, they're peaceful, affectionate with each other, and seem to be happy in each others company. So far, so normal, right?

BUT! Sometimes the chasing-and-mounting results in a pig getting a small scratch, or nick, with some blood is shed (not lots, but enough to notice it). In our g-pig care books, it stresses that if blood is ever shed, they MUST be kept apart - but the aggression seems to only last for a wee while, and not every day. Do you think I should seperate them, or, as they seem to forgive and forget, can I leave them together?

Thanks,

Anna :{
 
I personally would make them a c and c cage and see if the increase of space makes a difference. I do not believe any bought cage is really large enough for piggies anyway. I have a c and c cage and they are amazing.
 
How large is the cage? I had two females in a cage and the younger one was constantly getting injuries mostly because she was too cuddly and the older one used to kick her off. Since plonking them in a C&C (ok I have 2 more with them now too) she hasn't... touch wood... had an injury since
 
Hi, thanks so much for the replies.

Their cage is a traditional 'pet shop' type, but the biggest we could find. In the summer they are mostly out in an enormous homemade run in the garden, but at this time of year it's the cage indoors. Wish we could afford/fit in something bigger :(

However, we do try to give them increased floor time during winter (3hrs per day), and they have about 3sq meters to run around in, with loads of hay/pigloos/sticks/hidden veggies and so on - but if they're in the mood to run around chasing and mounting and squeaking etc etc, they can still end up doing each other damage, even in this huge space...?! mallethead

Anna
 
Sadly brothers can decide they've had enough of each other. I have two boys George and Gerry who lived together for 2 years at the rescue, they had their ups and downs and I knew that when I took them on. Their 'squabbles' got worse and the nips turned into bites. It was very hard to decide whether to seperate them but when one of George's bites got infected and he had to have surgery to drain it the decision was made. As the vet said if they were to catch an eye they could do real damage.
I did think they were ok together when they weren't fighting but seeing the difference in George once I seperated them made me sure I had done the right thing. He changed from the shy, nervous pig to the loudest most confident wheeker of them all. He was so much happier he was clearly being bullied by Gerry and was miserable.
I know how difficult it is to know when is enough. I just wanted to let you know that it can have a happy ending. They are still young so if you decide to seperate them they could be neutered and have a girlfriend each.
George and Gerry now have a wife each who are in fact sisters who fell out with each other! It's not just boys! :))
 
I really think it would make a difference if they had more space. They are probably just bickering about being in each others personal space.
I really can't offer any advice about whether to separate as I have no experience in this.
 
The RSPCA guidelines give the minimum cage size as 120cm x 60cm x 45cm for two pigs, however from information I have gleaned from my time on this site is that boars often require more than this. I haven't bonded or kept two boars previously so its hard to advise but I would think if your boys are sustaining injuries then it may be best for them to be separated to prevent anything serious happening
 
Hi, this is controversial. My two males started doing this a few months ago. Nipping and scratching, drawing small amounts of blood. I was at my wits end because separating just wasn't an option (long story) I kept a close eye and now i am so pleased we didn't. They still fight! But never draw blood. If they had really hurt each other then, yes, i would have had to give one away. But I'm pleased we stuck with it.
HOWEVER, i am home all day so can keep a close eye. Trust your instincts Xx
 
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