Kicking and boars fighting

[DemureGirl]

Two questions ^^

First one is, is it normal for guinea pigs to kick?
Archie has taken to kicking Felix. Usually when Felix tries to steal his food. It's quite odd to see. Archie propels himself forward and then swings his hips (in an exaggerated rumblestrut move) and then kicks Felix as he passes. It's probably the most active thing Archie does.


The second question is, what should you do if boars start fighting?
I had Archie and Felix free roaming in the kitchen this evening and, as usual, all was well. Their food was prepared and taken to their hutch ready but as I went to take them back I saw that Archie was ruimblestrutting like crazy and Felix was trying to mouth him (while avoiding Archie's kicks)
Felix was running circles around him and was *really* hyped up. They were both put back int heir hutch but they still haven't stopped and I'm concerned that it may escalate.
Felix is still going nuts, he's jumping on the hay manger, then onto the roof of their hut. They'll take a five min break and then start up again!

Any advice on either would be great

 

[boureki]

My boars occasionally kick out in annoyance when somthing is irritating them, it's a very odd sight indeed! |) Usually it's if they are both trying to be in the same place or if we have dominance rumbling episodes and one is harassing the other. As usual, I think the only things that may help are as much space as possible so they don't get under each others feet (literally) and two of everything, food bowls, hidey holes, bottles etc.

I find when my pair get aggravated like it sounds like yours are, it's usually one that starts and the other is simply trying to avoid the troublemaker. I don't know if it will help or if it is possible to do it in your hutch, but I find a brief separation helps just for a short while - we try about half an hour, try them together and if it continues, separate again, but it should probably be with mesh divider so they can still see and interact with each other, and hopefully calm down and miss each other. The most we have had to leave ours separated was overnight. There will be a small bit of rumbling probably, but it's usually short lived and they settle as before.

This is purely my regular experience of course, no guaruntee it will work for your boys!

 

[DemureGirl]

Thank you ^^
I'm not sure how I'll separate them but I'm sure I'll find something, I might put them in their indoor cage overnight.

I do think it was Archie trying to avoid Felix. He's usually pretty calm but was not willing to give up his spot as top piggy

I'll be picking up a new boar on Tuesday and the boys falling out with each other is not going to help @). I'm sure it will calm down though, they've been great together until now

 

[boureki]

Hopefully it will be a temporary spat, they often are! With any luck a small bit of tme apart will let it die down.

The only time I would separate permanently is if they are actually fighting, there is a sticky in the Bahviour board about boar behaviour and the warning signs.

Good luck, and with the new arrival too!