Is This Squabbling Or A Sign The Bond Isn't Going To Work Out?

[Jesse's pigs]

Hi guys I just got back from a holiday (Greece) and the pigs came back to me Saturday - no problems both been fine.

Anyway today (since I've got home) They seem to be squabbling. Nothing has been changed- same layout, hay etc and both been having floortime. But Mo is humping Steve again who in turn is squeaking again. And when Mo isn't mounting Steve, Steve goes behind Mo to his grease gland and Mo flips around and they kinda chase/jump away- but they kinda popcorn too? Is this a game of piggy tag?! Lol. Just worried now that the bond isn't working?

No blood- though they've nipped each other- and I've just given them veg and a spot clean. Both munching now with no problems so I'll see if it restarts when they've finished- do bonded pairs have odd squabbling moments like this? Or is this a sign that they aren't going to remain together?

Many thanks for your help- I realise I seem to have done a lot of threads regarding their relationship haha...

 

[sport_billy]

How old are they?

 

[piggieminder]

Sounds like they are re-establishing whose boss! I seem to remember Steve is a youngster. Keep an eye on them but at the moment I would say it sounds fairly normal considering their age differences. My RIP pair Bumble and Arty used to do this from time to time, until Bumble got to about 5 then Arty who was 3 years younger became the dominant pig. Poor old Bumble probably decided he was too old to challenge Arty and gave in!

 

[Jesse's pigs]

How old are they?

Mo will be 2 this coming January and Steve will be 1 in May.

 

[sport_billy]

Could be hormones to be honest, did they move into another cage while away or did they stay in their own cage?

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Sounds like they are re-establishing whose boss! I seem to remember Steve is a youngster. Keep an eye on them but at the moment I would say it sounds fairly normal considering their age differences. My RIP pair Bumble and Arty used to do this from time to time, until Bumble got to about 5 then Arty who was 3 years younger became the dominant pig. Poor old Bumble probably decided he was too old to challenge Arty and gave in!

I just gave them a fresh pile of hay and they again that seemed to calm them down - it's good to hear it seems quite normal and isn't too worrying just yet. Steve does usually take the mounting bit today he seems to have had enough.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Could be hormones to be honest, did they move into another cage while away or did they stay in their own cage?

Stayed in their own cage- it's a bugger to move from A to B lol but I feel they are less likely to have a fight over there in their own cage than a different one.

 

[sport_billy]

Hmmmmm, could, be overactive hormones... Keep a close eye on them. Hoping it will calm down

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Hmmmmm, could, be overactive hormones... Keep a close eye on them. Hoping it will calm down

Is this sounding bad then? Is this not a normal though rare occurrence?

 

[sport_billy]

I don't have boys but I would say this is par the course with piggies, they squabble... Our girls do it all the time although for the most part it is during season. Your boys sound well bonded. I wouldn't see any reason for the bond to break, I think they are just establishing the piggy hierarchy. Pigs do it from time to time. I really wouldn't worry but just keep an eye out.

Is this sounding bad then? Is this not a normal though rare occurrence?

 

[Reenie]

My three boys have their moments. Nothing serious going on (yet) with mine, just a bit of chasing and squabbling (particularly when there's veggies around), although it has been a bit more recently. I think if you just let them work it out, they'll probably be ok....maybe they're just a bit excited - although their cage was the same, there will be different smells in a different house, so it might just be that.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

I don't have boys but I would say this is par the course with piggies, they squabble... Our girls do it all the time although for the most part it is during season. Your boys sound well bonded. I wouldn't see any reason for the bond to break, I think they are just establishing the piggy hierarchy. Pigs do it from time to time. I really wouldn't worry but just keep an eye out.

Just come back upstairs now after tea and both were plonked out asleep- Steve seems to have got something on the side of his chin not too sure if it's water, wee or boar glue (*cough Mo*) but it's definitely not blood or a scratch. Given them their evening pellets now and they seem to have calmed down a lot. Still the odd stand off but mostly chill PHEW!

thank you so much @sport_billy @Reenie @piggieminder for your quick responses and help- again I'm sorry I keep asking about their bonding lol just really don't want to A have them fight or B separate them if it's not needed. x

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

They are naughty boys!

Remind me, what size if your cage? You could always get them a bigger one to house the extra testosterone they seem to have

 

[Jesse's pigs]

They are naughty boys!

Remind me, what size if your cage? You could always get them a bigger one to house the extra testosterone they seem to have

It's a 120 at the minute- I am getting them a bigger one asap- I actually had a C and C (well supposedly!) Coming but in the end it went to someone else who was closer to the seller so that was a bummer! Grrrrrrr was very excited to finally be getting a C and C (I know I can buy the grids lol but this was ready made with the correx etc already). All well I'm sure I'll find another. Lol.

No the next cage will be minimum of 140 but I'm hoping for a C and C or I may even just build one myself... though after the 'hammock' I don't know what that will look like.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

It's a 120 at the minute- I am getting them a bigger one asap- I actually had a C and C (well supposedly!) Coming but in the end it went to someone else who was closer to the seller so that was a bummer! Grrrrrrr was very excited to finally be getting a C and C (I know I can buy the grids lol but this was ready made with the correx etc already). All well I'm sure I'll find another. Lol.

No the next cage will be minimum of 140 but I'm hoping for a C and C or I may even just build one myself... though after the 'hammock' I don't know what that will look like.

Just give them your bedroom, they're already spoilt so it's not a big deal right?

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Just give them your bedroom, they're already spoilt so it's not a big deal right?

LOL! It's already called the 'pig room' and they do run it haha! Just got them one of those fold up puppy pen things (£10 BARGAIN!) lol so they can also run the lounge on occasions too- can't free roam the lounge like my bedroom because of dog but at least in that they'll be safe and they can watch TV. If it was my way id let them have my bedroom and I'd just sleep in a hammock while they run riot below me...but then I'd be needing to fill the space with more piggies....hmmmmm.

How's Iggy doing?

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

LOL! It's already called the 'pig room' and they do run it haha! Just got them one of those fold up puppy pen things (£10 BARGAIN!) lol so they can also run the lounge on occasions too- can't free roam the lounge like my bedroom because of dog but at least in that they'll be safe and they can watch TV. If it was my way id let them have my bedroom and I'd just sleep in a hammock while they run riot below me...but then I'd be needing to fill the space with more piggies....hmmmmm.

How's Iggy doing?

If I didn't have my cat Tilly I would 100% have them free range and sleep in a hammock

He's okay atm thanks, got an X-ray for him tomorrow though so I'm pretty worried. He had a really rough morning and was in pain so he's being such a good boy considering everything he's going through!

 

[Jesse's pigs]

If I didn't have my cat Tilly I would 100% have them free range and sleep in a hammock

He's okay atm thanks, got an X-ray for him tomorrow though so I'm pretty worried. He had a really rough morning and was in pain so he's being such a good boy considering everything he's going through!

My fingers (and the boys paws) are very firmly crossed for him. It's horrible seeing them in pain but you're doing the best you can and I'm sure he appreciates it. He really is a lovely little guy. X

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

My fingers (and the boys paws) are very firmly crossed for him. It's horrible seeing them in pain but you're doing the best you can and I'm sure he appreciates it. He really is a lovely little guy. X

Thank you so much, it means a lot! Iggy says that blueberries are on him once he's better so you two be good boys! x

 

[piggieminder]

I think they will be better when they have a bigger cage. We moved Spike and Peanut from a 120 to a 160 and their dominance behaviour settled down, they were about 10 months old then. They are a lovely middle aged couple now (3years), they have a rumble for a few seconds every evening but it's more because they can than anything. Once it's over they go back to sharing the same hay box or bowl of nuggets. Peanut always has to eat on the right side of Spike, they will actually shuffle around each other until they get in the right position.

 

[Reenie]

I think they will be better when they have a bigger cage. We moved Spike and Peanut from a 120 to a 160 and their dominance behaviour settled down, they were about 10 months old then. They are a lovely middle aged couple now (3years), they have a rumble for a few seconds every evening but it's more because they can than anything. Once it's over they go back to sharing the same hay box or bowl of nuggets. Peanut always has to eat on the right side of Spike, they will actually shuffle around each other until they get in the right position.

Lol, I thought it was just mine who did that! Groucho always goes to the left then to the right of the other two so that he gets two pellets instead of one, as he knows I work left to right and he has time to get to the end after being first...I know what I mean even if that makes no sense to anyone else. Lol

 

[Tiamolly123]

I would move the cage around, piggies like nothing but a move around to give them a second breath, but Lee is right it could be hormones

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Hi guys since my last post things seem to have calmed down between them. They still have the odd moment but nothing drastic or as scary as last time. only thing I'm worried about is I've just brought Mo down for a cuddle and he had the tiniest scratch on his left nostril (I'm attaching a picture). Now I understand that could just be Mo has caught himself scratching or something but I suspect it may be from Steve?

Upon putting Mo back in their cage (I just shook their fleece before handling Mo so cage was poop free but still smelling of them) Steve started nudging Mo's rump who wheeked (not high pitched just a wheek) and popcorned away. See i don't understand why they are popcorning if it's bad? To defuse the situation I've given them fresh hay and now they are munching happily.

I was dreading leaving them alone yesterday after I posted my last thread (especially after reading that unfortunately post where one individual returned to a piggy barely moving and not eating with bite marks)...now I am worried again. I don't want to separate unless absolutely neccessary and I feel they are still bonded. I had Mo on the sofa and easy did what he used to do when alone - laid down and popcorned about happily following me. Does that mean he prefers being alone?

But then on bringing him back upstairs and putting him on my bed where he can see Steve he desperately tries to get back to the cage and only after a little while does he settle (Steve wheeks throughout Mo's absence).

I am dreading leaving them again tomorrow however if they weren't bonded they surely would be fighting/at each other all the time?

@sport_billy I'm sorry to tag you again as I understand you are very busy.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

And one last thing, when I got Mo he had white bits on his ears (I guess dry skin as it cleared up by itself). Now I've had a cuddle (didn't notice it yesterday and I feel soooo bad but I swear it wasn't there) there is a white patch on his ear. Again I'm attaching picture- is this fungal, dry skin or something brought on by him being unhappy?

All I wanted was for him to experience a friend and most of the time I am glad I did but now I am questioning whether I made him happy at all or just made him sad.

I am planning to take both boys to the vets for a check up soon.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

How long have they been together now? To be honest it sounds like bickering to me but I would definitely get a bigger cage for them asap if you can.

I definitely wouldn't say that Mo prefers to be on his own, he's probably just enjoying his space and a bit of a break from little Steve.

I know it's a difficult time with hormones and such but I'm sure they'll get through it no problem!

Also I'm no expert but it could be fungal, might be worth a massive F10 clean and get it treated before it spreads x

 

[Jesse's pigs]

How long have they been together now? To be honest it sounds like bickering to me but I would definitely get a bigger cage for them asap if you can.

I definitely wouldn't say that Mo prefers to be on his own, he's probably just enjoying his space and a bit of a break from little Steve.

I know it's a difficult time with hormones and such but I'm sure they'll get through it no problem!

Also I'm no expert but it could be fungal, might be worth a massive F10 clean and get it treated before it spreads x

Thank you for your quick response They've been together 5 months now -no I'm searching for a bigger one now, though I've opted against a C and C purely because of we have a dog and if any other animals are added to our growing animal family i want to know my boys are 100% safe. Is a 140 big enough for them? Or would you say go even bigger?

Thank you I'll do that I'm going to do their 'scrub out' this week anyway lol perhaps he's telling me he wants it scrubbed now haha. (I give them a thorough scrub at the end of every week and fleece changed every 2 days). Fungal isn't painful no? And for the treatment what sort of things should I be expecting prescribed and how quick does it clear up? Sorry for the barrage of questions! I will treat Steve too to ensure he doesn't get it? And is fungal caused by anything?

Thank you for what you said about Mo being happy- I hope he is I dread to think that i made the wrong decision.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Thank you for your quick response They've been together 5 months now -no I'm searching for a bigger one now, though I've opted against a C and C purely because of we have a dog and if any other animals are added to our growing animal family i want to know my boys are 100% safe. Is a 140 big enough for them? Or would you say go even bigger?

Thank you I'll do that I'm going to do their 'scrub out' this week anyway lol perhaps he's telling me he wants it scrubbed now haha. (I give them a thorough scrub at the end of every week and fleece changed every 2 days). Fungal isn't painful no? And for the treatment what sort of things should I be expecting prescribed and how quick does it clear up? Sorry for the barrage of questions! I will treat Steve too to ensure he doesn't get it? And is fungal caused by anything?

Thank you for what you said about Mo being happy- I hope he is I dread to think that i made the wrong decision.

To be honest I'd say go as big as you can, is a 140 2ft x 5ft or bigger? I have a cat and have a C&C, they're fine as long as they have a lid and raised out of the reach of dogs and cats

Fungal isn't painful to start with but it does become sore and itchy, it's more the fact that it spreads quite quickly and you can also get it if it's fungal so make sure to practice intense hygiene! I believe you either get an anti fungal wash or a powder?

 

[Wiebke]

Little scratches are nothing to worry about, they are just a misjudged swipe with a back foot (even my sows sport the occasional one), but I would have that spot on your boy's testical pouch vet checked.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Little scratches are nothing to worry about, they are just a misjudged swipe with a back foot (even my sows sport the occasional one), but I would have that spot on your boy's testical pouch vet checked.

Thank you Wiebke the spots on his ear lol not his testicles haha- going to book a vet appointment for them both - might aswell give them a check over especially with Christmas coming up.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you Wiebke the spots on his ear lol not his testicles haha- going to book a vet appointment for them both - might aswell give them a check over especially with Christmas coming up.

Looks like a spot of fungal to me. Difficult to judge the body part from the picture!