My 2 are fighting a lot! I'm getting to the stage of considering......I dont know really.......i just dont know what to do? They used to be so clean too but know they litter everywhere.
Are these behaviours likely to ever stop?
I got 2 thinking they'd prefer to be together, the shop told me they were brothers but I'm starting to doubt that. Perhaps keeping one would be better?
Help
Hi and welcome!
Boars undergo a teenage phase from 4-14 months during which the testicles descend (despite that, boars can make babies from 3-5 weeks onwards!). This time is characterised by huge testosterone swings. It doesn't matter one bit whether your boys are related or not; key to any successful boar bond is whether they gel as adults. It is a persistent myth that brothers don't fight and fall out - they do that exactly the same as other non-related boys.
Please take the time to read these guides here. You can find all the detailed tips and explanations as to what to expect and what you can do to help your boys along during this tricky time, as well as what your various options are if things do not work out.
One of the most important aspects is space - boars need to be able to get away from each other in order to minimise the risks of full-on fights with serious bites. They also need everything in two, for the same reason.
Boars: A guide to successful companionship.
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Please also be aware that guinea pigs are group animals and NOT wired to live on their own. Sadly, shops still sell singles because they have neither got the time, nor the knowledge or experience to carefully bond guinea pigs as to character compatibility. The only exception is Switzerland where it is forbidden by law to sell or keep single guinea pigs, but where any boars are neutered as babies, so they can live and be sold with sows straight away.
Please do not punish your boys by taking one back to the shop to a very unhappy future! Depending on the shop policy, he will either be destroyed or will - at the best - have to spend the rest of his life in single confinement through no fault of his own, just because he has been failed by humans, like so many boars.
Companionship
You may find our new owners information bundle helpful. It contains guides to the areas that are most often asked about by new owners:
" Starter Kit" Of Information Threads For New Owners