Fighting Piggies

Status
Not open for further replies.
Rubys cafe

Rubys cafe

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Mar 31, 2014
Messages
187
Reaction score
85
Points
275
Location
Bedfordshire
Hi
I have two male piggies that we rehomed from a shelter we believe that they are brothers and lived together happily at the shelter. They have been with us a week now and have a large run that they are in all day and at night we put them into a hutch. Just yesterday we noticed they have been fighting a few cuts to their nose nothing deep. One is obviously the dominate one and is chasing the other one which is squeakily loudly. The dominate one has now taken over the nesting area on the hutch and the other is now at the other end. We were told by the shelter they are probably settling in and marking territory and they are being boys. However if there are serious injuries seperate them .
We are new to keeping piggies just surprised this has happened and worried!
Any thoughts?
 
Last edited:
I have 2 brothers who lived in harmony until last month. They have hit 6 months and the hormones have taken over. They had a bloody fight and I have been advised after it goes this far it is normally best to split them. I have tried to reintroduce mine but it has failed so they live side by side. You can try a bonding bath to elimnate all diff smells and completley clean the cage and get it smelling fresh and new. The pop them back into together and monitor them. Make sure they have 2 of everything to avoid one being pushed out from food and water etc...

@Wiebke is very much in the know and there is this thread also to guide you.....

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boars-a-guide-to-successful-companionship.76162/
 
Hi and welcome!

Piggies have to re-establish the hierarchy in any new territory; this leads to dominance displays. You can help diffuse any flash points by offering at least one hidey to each boy so the underboy has got a place, too. Ideally you provide hideys with two exits, especially during the initial phase when chasing and "locking" the underpiggy into a hidey or corner is one of the less friendly dominance practices. The cornered piggy can attack in defence.
It would also help if you had everything in twos, bowls, bottles etc. ideally placed at least a body length away from the other same item.
Here are more tips: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boars-a-guide-to-successful-companionship.76162/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/

If necessary, separate the boys overnight and then re-introduce them on neutral ground after a buddy bath that washes any excess testosterone off. You can't do this too often but it can help when it is touch and go or give you the answer whether a bond is working or not when one of the boys is perking up noticeably when separated from his mate.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-introducing-and-reintroducing-guinea-pigs.38562/

I hope that your two boys will settle down better with these tips.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome!

Piggies have to re-establish the hierarchy in any new territory; this leads to dominance displays. You can help diffuse any flash points by offering at least one hidey to each boy so the underboy has got a place, too. Ideally you provide hideys with two exits, especially during the initial phase when chasing and "locking" the underpiggy into a hidey or corner is one of the less friendly dominance practices. The cornered piggy can attack in defence.
It would also help if you had everything in twos, bowls, bottles etc. ideally placed at least a body length away from the other same item.
Here are more tips: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boars-a-guide-to-successful-companionship.76162/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/

If necessary, separate the boys overnight and then re-introduce them on neutral ground after a buddy bath that washes any excess testosterone off. You can't do this too often but it can help when it is touch and go or give you the answer whether a bond is working or not when one of the boys is perking up noticeably when separated from his mate.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-introducing-and-reintroducing-guinea-pigs.38562/

I hope that your two boys will settle down better with these tips.
Click to expand...
Thank you for all the tips, I can see now where I can help my boys ! Will let you know how I get on .
 
I agree with Wiebke's post when they come to a new home they need to sort out their hierarchy again. Having two of everything definitely helps, I also find having no places they can corner one another helps. If things don't calm down you can try bathing them, removes boths scent and takes them back to square one. If things do get worse then you might have to consider separating.
 
Please! How old are your boys? Boars go through a phase between roughly 4-14 months old where they suffer from hormonal spikes before they become full grown hormonally settled adults. If they are in that phase, then settling in a new home can trigger a bit of a power clash.
 
Poe the dominant one is def happy living by himself he doesn't spend hardly anytime in the pigloo now. Edgar clearly misses Poe as he is always at the side looking over and I swear he has the most forlorn look on his little face.
 
My boys are same age 2.5 years.
I will deep clean the hutch and all the enrichment and add two of everything ( I have two of most things) . I can see the less dominant one being depressed or his personality crushed by the dominate one so that has to be nipped in the bud so to speak.
The hutch used to house to females three years ago and has been empty and I have cleaned it many times don't know if that's anything to do with it? This is the large run they are in all day !
 

Attachments

  • image.webp
    image.webp
    136.4 KB · Views: 11
If you have disinfected it and its laid empty for 3 years can't see that being the problem. Its more then likely a change of home that's caused the friction especially at their age as they aren't youngsters.
 
At that age, they should be past hormonal fall-outs, so I hope that with eliminating any spaces they can be trapped in but providing each boar with a bit of territory that is his own, they should settle down together.

Sow scents should have faded after that time! That is a really nice large run and they should be very happy with it! Just remove all the hideys with only one exit. If necessary, add more cardboard boxes with several doors or sides removed. Piggies love to chew and it doesn;t matter if they wreck them.

Perhaps adding a soft piggy-sized toddler-safe humping toy can also help to draw some fire, especially if you rub it over both boys.
 
This is great thank you, never thought piggies were complicated!
They are very pretty boys and are getting better at being handled especially with my daughter I hope they do settle down. I hate heAring the less dominate one being bullied .
Will keep you posted !
 
Just wondering if they have fleas that's why irritable? Ones doing little jumps in the air. Will check their skin tonight . The chasing has calmed a bit ,two of everything in the pen . One has a toy at the mo but not interested thought he might hump that instead of the other boar!
 
Little jumps could be popcorning as he may be happy? Especially id things seem to be calming... Poe does little jumps all four feet off the ground and shakes his head :)
 
Poe runs circuits around the room at top speed... I am amazed piggies can run so fast.. sometimes he squeals like Micheal Jackson before he popcorns lt is such a funny sight to see!
 
GloriousGuineaGirl said:
Little jumps could be popcorning as he may be happy? Especially id things seem to be calming... Poe does little jumps all four feet off the ground and shakes his head :)
Click to expand...




Wow so many things these little boys do! Been watching their behaviour today could spend hours analysing ! They are in the hutch now for bedtime and a lot of squeezing going on, Izzy Disco( a boy named by my little girl!) doesn't look happy at the end of the hutch quite still while Marble ( the dominate one) just runs around him trying to mount him. I've put the toy in Marbles bed area but he's not interested. Hopefully it will calm down again tonight !
 
I had another look tonight the cut on their noses and ear has healed over. I have not cleaned them , should I?
I'm wondering if the chasing is still carrying on after three days shall I seperate with wire mesh In The pen to give them space? Not sure what to do? They have been together since born and now 2.5 years. The shelter said they were like this at the beginning with them and they cmed down and as long as they were not seriously damaging themselves leave them to it as finding their space. They are in a hutch At night and wondering if I should attached another one to give more space?Below is the night time hutch then Out all day in big run!
Thanks
 

Attachments

  • image.webp
    image.webp
    110.1 KB · Views: 3
Last edited:
Rubys cafe said:
I had another look tonight the cut on their noses and ear has healed over. I have not cleaned them , should I?
I'm wondering if the chasing is still carrying on after three days shall I seperate with wire mesh In The pen to give them space? Not sure what to do? They have been together since born and now 2.5 years. The shelter said they were like this at the beginning with them and they cmed down and as long as they were not seriously damaging themselves leave them to it as finding their space. They are in a hutch At night and wondering if I should attached another one to give more space?Below is the night time hutch then Out all day in big run!
Thanks
Click to expand...




I'm not sure but I think Marble having a toy has kept him happy and reduced the fighting ,it's been calm for a few days!
 
Today I found one of my boars with a cut lip and nose. They are brothers and 2.5 years old. The one that has the cut is the less dominant one.:
What shall I do?
 

Attachments

  • image.webp
    image.webp
    31.5 KB · Views: 7
I think being in the hutch at night is not helping as they have been in the big run all day. Shall I keep them in the run all the time? We are thinking of attaching the hutch so they can come and go.
Cut to his lip should the vet look at him or cleaning with warm water/saline solution?
We are weighing them as I think izzy( less domaninte boar) is not putting on weight. He's the same as last week weight wise but I think he's lost some to when we first got them.
 
I've separated them for a bit of time out . One in the hutch and one in the run .
I'm starting to think they need to stay in the run all the time more space .
The cut to his mouth shall I just use warm water or saline solution?
 
I think the best solution is to seperate? My boys drew blood and after that never stopped having a pop at each other. This is what it resulted in as I ob missed the lead up to the big fight... @Wiebke can advise you very much with this subject :) There is also a sticky thread on behaviour...2014-03-13 22.53.48.webp 2014-03-13 22.54.42.webp 2014-03-14 21.35.17.webp 2014-03-14 21.44.32.webp
 
Rubys cafe said:
I've separated them for a bit of time out . One in the hutch and one in the run .
I'm starting to think they need to stay in the run all the time more space .
The cut to his mouth shall I just use warm water or saline solution?
Click to expand...
I used warm saline then popped a bit of Sudeocrem on. Edgars wounds healed quick this way.
 
Rubys cafe said:
I think being in the hutch at night is not helping as they have been in the big run all day. Shall I keep them in the run all the time? We are thinking of attaching the hutch so they can come and go.
Cut to his lip should the vet look at him or cleaning with warm water/saline solution?
We are weighing them as I think izzy( less domaninte boar) is not putting on weight. He's the same as last week weight wise but I think he's lost some to when we first got them.
Click to expand...
From the amazing advice I had about this subject for my two attaching the run to the hutch is a good idea as more space. Any hideys they have make sure they have two openings so they cannot get trapped in and have room to move away from each other. Try washing all their stuff so it smells nutrual and then maybe try a bonding bath? The sticky thread is very very informative and I am sure @Wiebke will be on to support you soon. Plus some other very very trusted souls such as @helen105281 or @piggyfan
 
Hi I have just read your whole thread. I think moving your boys to the run then hutch is making them establish dominance each time. I would just keep them in one area. If after a few days they are still like this then maybe they are not meant to be friends. I really hope this is not the case for you. They may just be happier as neighbours. You may want to just separate them though due to the cut. Personally I would separate them. Poor little baby I hope his cut is not sore.
 
I have 5 boys and have been through this behaviour with all of them, as long as the fighting didn't get out of hand (it didn't) I let them find their own hierarchy ( ps: 2 sets of brothers ) I was worried and mentioned on a previous post that I was worried about Whiskey being bullied by the other two especially Vader, but here's a photo of them together tonight- This is the first time they have shared the same small space and sat next to each other - fingers crossed " peace reigns at last"
003 (2).webp :nod:
 
Those cuts look very sore poor you and you little in. Thanks everyone, they seem fine together in the run today.They have been cuddling up and the dominant one is licking the wound, should I be concerned at this?
The one with the cut is eating, drinking running around like normal. Will be bathing his wound in a bit.
I got some more advise and I really don't wNt to seperate, they have been together for a long time . I've spoken to Chrissie at gorgeous guineas as I noticed Marbel the dominate one has some dandruff so once I get the shampoo I'll give them a bonding bath .could this be effecting him too ? I'm new to all this do do apppreciate the advice
 
I would not have thought dandruff would have any effect on his behaviour. I really hope they get along but if they fight again I would separate them.
 
I agree with piggyfan. Please separate them if they fight again! I know that skinnies are much more liable to cuts as they lack the protection that hair gives normal piggies against a glancing blow, but this doesn't look promising. They may be happier next door to each other.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top