Ear nibbling

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We have had our first ever guinea pigs , 2 boars for 2 weeks now and although not related they were brought up together and are 9 and 11 weeks old.
The younger one is nibbling the older ones ear and making it sore. It is only one ear and i am looking for some advice please as to why this is happening and if we can stop him doing it.
apart from this they get along really well.
 
Sows lick and nibble at each other's ears as a sign of affection - mutual grooming. It can result in nicks in the ear and small bleeds, but the piggie being nibbled doesn't move away and seems to like it so I think it is normal behaviour.

I've never had boars, perhaps it's simply normal behaviour for them too - something mummy did when they were little that they are now copying to reaffirm a bond?

Hope this helps a bit, Sarah x
 
thanks for the replies. I will keep an eye on Puff's ear, is there anything i can use to stop Tom from nibbling. I have read about bitter apple somewhere.
 
Sarah from Chucklebunnies said:
Sows lick and nibble at each other's ears as a sign of affection - mutual grooming. It can result in nicks in the ear and small bleeds, but the piggie being nibbled doesn't move away and seems to like it so I think it is normal behaviour.

I've never had boars, perhaps it's simply normal behaviour for them too - something mummy did when they were little that they are now copying to reaffirm a bond?

Hope this helps a bit, Sarah x
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Thanks! I have an adult sow that I have recently bonded with a baby sow (in my avatar) and the older one has been doing this in the last week. But like you said, the younger one doesn't seem to mind it and just sits there! I have been keeping an eye out to make sure no cuts or chunks have been taken out of her ear, thankfully, none yet and they get along well.
 
Guess it's normal behaviour then. thanks for the replies it has reassured me.
 
I've noticed my sow Masiey has nicks on one of her ears at the moment. I think when she was out on the grass with my other sow Cookie she nibbled them
 
My Eliza used to chew at Connie's ears all the time leaving little nicks in her ear. This really use to bother me as sometimes Connie would squeak as if Eliza had hurt her. Eliza has tried doing the same thing to Eleanor but she won't let her get away with it unlike Connie, who would let Eliza walk all over her!
 
Thanks for this! Our two six month old boars have just started doing this and I was wondering if it was anything to worry about. It is interesting that it is the more dominant boar (Manny) is being nibbled by the less dominant boar (Bernard) who climbs on top of one of their houses to do it while Manny stands and looks smug. I am just a little worried as one ear is looking a little sore because of it.
 
Maurice is the culprit of this in our house poor Julien gets his ear chewed quite frequently but he never moves away or anything so it obviously not hurting him as he aint ling in telling you or Maurice if you have annoyed him in some way hehe
 
Ear grooming often results in nicks and cuts. I know my girls have been a little over enthusiastic in their grooming and have resulted in small cuts. Unless a huge chunk was bitten then I would agree with the others and just let the piggies do what piggies do.
 
Well that's another thing I've learned on this wonderful forum! Maisie chews Poppy's ears quite frequently and I always thought she was being mean to her although it didn't seem to faze Pops at all :))
 
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