Help New To This

[davina]

Hi all. I have had guinea pigs in the past but not for a while. I bought my daughter 2 boars 10/12 weeks old on Saturday. The bigger of the 2 is constantly harassing the little one. He chases him, jumps on his back and will not let him in the bedroom part of the hutch. Caught him chasing the little one away from the water bottle this morning. Is this normal and am i over reacting? I'm worried the little one will.get cold at night. Sorry to sound naive.
Regards
Davina

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! This is normal behaviour during the phase when boars are establishing a hierarchy; Dominance behaviour can last a few to days to a few weeks. The top piggy has the right to first choice of sleeping quarters, food and water and is enforcing it. Please provide alternative hideys (preferably with two exits, so the underboar can't be "locked in"), two bowls and two water bottles, each same item ideally spaced well apart from the other.

Mounting is also mild dominance behaviour, unless is it is truly non-stop for hours. Mounting is very common boar (and even sow) behaviour.

You may find these information threads from the top of this section helpful:
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/