I'm confused!

[Beautifulmess]

I've had Corly for around near 6 months and since he turned 4-5 months he's been more alpha with Africa, who was original alpha. Anyways, I've noticed twice now that Africa is getting random scabs on his back, last one was about half a little finger nail size. He seems un-bothered by it and they don't look as if they bleed and it seemed to be in the same place and the other one, so maybe he pulled the scab off. I watch them and they do the dominance dance to each other, never chatter, Corly screams a lot, but it's normal for him to be noisy, he lunges a lot at Africa if Africa is deciding to assert dominance.

Anyways, I really don't want to split them up. They seem fine most of the time, but I really don't like Africa getting this random injuries and I can't tell who's doing them. Corly lunges at Africa even if Africa just gets to close. I'm looking into getting them a bigger cage, it's the biggest the shops do but still. I feel it might be to small for two boars now. Since removing the 'shelters' they have calmed down more, more room I suppose.

Anyone help me?/

 

[Beautifulmess]

Well things got too heated for me last night and Africa was constantly LOUD chatting and proper chasing Corly around the cage, so I split them up because I couldn't be around to watch them 24/7.

Am I able to reintroduce them at a later stage? Perhaps when I have a larger cage?

 

[flips]

Sorry things have got a bit too stressful with Corly and Africa.

Are you able to keep them side by side? Their behaviour might give you an idea whether you'll be able to re-introduce them later on.

I don't know much about this but just wanted to say good luck. x

 

[clairelove]

so sorry to hear you are having problems with them..
you can reintroduce them at a later date but i would keep the cages next to each other,maybe investing in a bigger cage of adding an extra floor in your (if poss) will give them extra floor space..

it is very sad when this happens has ive seen it a lot in my rescue guineas..all of them around this age as there hormones are lightingrolleyes keep them next to each other and keep trying them in the run together while you are around,hoefully corys hormones will calm down and they can be reintroduced xx

 

[Beautifulmess]

Yea, they are right next to each other. They seem happier now, although Africa was crying a lot at first and Corly just stayed very quiet, but they both eat and drink.

Yes, I'm hoping to get a C&C cage, I've heard I can split it in two if it happens again. I was thinking if they can't be friends again I might get to sows for them but then t's thinking about getting them the op and I don't know if I wanna chance it really.

I'll update this thread when I try and reintroduce them later. Is there a limit to the time they're allowed to be apart? Buying a new cage will take some time (Y) xx

 

[Saysie]

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having problems, its always upsetting when this happens.
I went through the same thing a few weeks ago with my two boys the same age as yours.

Teddy constantly bugged Patch, I thought it was just because Teddy just wanted to play, he would constantly squeak all day and chase Patch around the cage and also lunge at him occasionally, but there was never any injuries and Teddy was never malicious so I never had a reason to separate them. Anyway a few weeks ago, Teddy got worse he was bugging Patch more than normal, and it all came to a head when they were out in the run and got into a huge fight, there was a lot of blood, and I rushed them to the vet. Luckily it only turned out to be skin deep wounds so no stitches or surgery was needed. The vet recommended that I separate them and the only option was for them both to be castrated, before reintroducing them.

You have done the right thing to separate them now, it might be worthwile considering castration, obv if you are thinking of getting some sows to put in with them you would need to do this anyway. They would need to be separated for a further 4weeks after the surgery. Since being castrated Teddy is like a different pig so much calmer and quieter. I would also do what the others have suggested and monitor their behaviour, it might be a case of needing more space. I hope this helps a little, keep us updated.

 

[Saysie]

Just wanted to add, if your worried about the op ( I know I was!) it might be worth contacting your local shelter/rescue to see which vet they use, as then it would be likely the vet would be used to seeing guinea pigs and preforming this type of surgery on them.
I did this and the op was very successful and I had full confidence in the vet as she seemed to know a lot about guinea pigs.

 

[clairelove]

i would keep the separated for now at least until corys hormones settle which i would give him about 4 mths but as you are keeping them next to each other where they can still talk to each other reintroduction via, living together..will be a little easier but you can still have both of them out together for supervised floor timexx

 

[The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue]

Hello
I hope things sort out for you !
Castration is only an option if you are considering a sow companion which is always a lovely result for a boar.Castration itself does not affect the hormonal levels of boars and unlike other species their sex drive remains the same,so hormones can still fly but reintroductions are not impossible just more difficult in adolesent boars.This information was passed onto me by cambridge cavy trust when i was having young boar problems !
My two boars remained apart and i decided on neutering as all my other boars have been neutered.They now live very happliy with rescue sows so happy homing all round.
Helen xx>>>xx>>>