Constant humping / stroke lying on the other.

[andisafc]

Hi, I’m back! I’m after a bit of help, I have two boys - Bramble who is nearly 2 years old & Fozzy who is very nearly 1 year old. They have got on fairly well until this week. Bramble has been trying to hump Fozzy all the time, Fozzy makes annoyed noises & theres there’s the occasional nip but no teeth chattering. Today Bramble is constantly humping Fozzy or trying to lie across him. Neither of them can eat or anything as Bramble is so pre-occupied with “bothering” Fozzy. Does anyone have any advice? I’m unsure whether to put a divider in tonight? I’m scared to go to bed in case neither of them eat!

 

[VickiA]

I really would not separate or put a divider in between your boars unless it’s absolutely necessary. How long have they been together & has anything changed in their environment that could have provoked a dominance battle?

 

[andisafc]

I really would not separate or put a divider in between your boars unless it’s absolutely necessary. How long have they been together & has anything changed in their environment that could have provoked a dominance battle?

They’ve been a pair since Fozzy was 6 weeks old after Bramble lost his cage mate. Nothing has changed apart from tonight they’ve been cleaned out. I’ve washed all their stuff too. It’s constant the humping. They’re both knackered.

 

[VickiA]

When cleaning out do you leave some bedding in that retains their scent? If you take all scent away each time that can provoke a bit of over zealous dominance. Or maybe the youngster has hit a hormone spike and the older one feels the need to assert dominance again.

 

[andisafc]

When cleaning out do you leave some bedding in that retains their scent? If you take all scent away each time that can provoke a bit of over zealous dominance. Or maybe the youngster has hit a hormone spike and the older one feels the need to assert dominance again.

No I don’t, I never have, learnt my lesson now! Actually I think the youngest has been scenting a lot? What can I go tonight? I’ve taken the elder one out just to give them both a rest?

 

[andisafc]

No I don’t, I never have, learnt my lesson now! Actually I think the youngest has been scenting a lot? What can I go tonight? I’ve taken the elder one out just to give them both a rest?

the one who is being dominant actually tries to groom the other & goes as low as he can go next to him when he’s not trying to mount him? Doesn’t make sense

 

[CavyMom58]

I wish I could offer great advice, but i don't have much experience with young boars... just grumpy old men piggies! Mine went through a similar event a few days ago, but for different reasons. I separated them for a few hours and when the spastic, humpy one finally calmed down and slept for a while, I put them back together and they've been ok since. I am a praying person though, so I will pray for your piggies to calm down and work through their issues. Maybe if you handled this like a re-bonding, they could get it worked out? There is some great info on here about the bonding process, dominance behaviors and how to manage them. Just a thought... Hope it all gets worked out.

 

[andisafc]

I wish I could offer great advice, but i don't have much experience with young boars... just grumpy old men piggies! Mine went through a similar event a few days ago, but for different reasons. I separated them for a few hours and when the spastic, humpy one finally calmed down and slept for a while, I put them back together and they've been ok since. I am a praying person though, so I will pray for your piggies to calm down and work through their issues. Maybe if you handled this like a re-bonding, they could get it worked out? There is some great info on here about the bonding process, dominance behaviors and how to manage them. Just a thought... Hope it all gets worked out.

Thanks so much, I’m all worked up. Is horrible to see them like that, he’s like a pig possessed! He hates being away from the younger one too, tears up the cage! Just typical it has happened at night time! I might try washing the scent gland of the youngest tomorrow? Thank you for your thoughts & prayers, will take anything at the moment x

 

[Piggies&buns]

P

Thanks so much, I’m all worked up. Is horrible to see them like that, he’s like a pig possessed! He hates being away from the younger one too, tears up the cage! Just typical it has happened at night time! I might try washing the scent gland of the youngest tomorrow? Thank you for your thoughts & prayers, will take anything at the moment x

Please do not wash the scent gland. There is absolutely no benefit in doing that.

Provided they are otherwise ok (and not fighting) please don’t separate. Leave them to sort things out.

Definitely only ever clean half the cage at a time - as Vicki has said, removing all scent will set off dominance

 

[andisafc]

P


Please do not wash the scent gland. There is absolutely no benefit in doing that.

Provided they are otherwise ok (and not fighting) please don’t separate. Leave them to sort things out.

Definitely only ever clean half the cage at a time - as Vicki has said, removing all scent will set off dominance

Thanks very much, won’t do that then, thought I’d read it somewhere but I must have got mixed up?

Got up a couple of times during the night & checked in with Alexa & they were still bickering but once were laid together?

This morning it’s still going on but it’s maybe not as frantic? Fozzy never seems bothered by it after Bramble climbs off (he mostly gets on sideways?!) and he just gets on with whatever he’d been trying to do!

Thanks to everyone who has offered advice x

 

[Piggies&buns]

Buddy baths used to be a thing but are no longer recommended. It doesn’t help a bond and can actually introduce a source of stress.

Humping is a mild dominance (from any angle!) so it’s not really of any concern. Adults still get hormone spikes too but as Vicki said, Fozzy is still a teenager so Bramble may just be feeling the need to assert dominance

 

[andisafc]

Buddy baths used to be a thing but are no longer recommended. It doesn’t help a bond and can actually introduce a source of stress.

Humping is a mild dominance (from any angle!) so it’s not really of any concern. Adults still get hormone spikes too but as Vicki said, Fozzy is still a teenager so Bramble may just be feeling the need to assert dominance

You wouldn’t think that I’ve had boys for over 20 years & I never had this happen! It was so scary when it was constantly going on? Was worried neither of them would get a chance to eat. Just hope that he settles down soon? Thanks again x

 

[weepweeps]

I hope it’s settled down now and they are still friends.