My pigs are fighting

[charleigh]

My guinea pigs have recently started fighting a lot and it only started once i brought in a new pig and it didn't work out so i separated them and my pigs that were originally together stayed together but even since then they've fought a lot, i have separated them now. Does anyone know why this is? They were completely fine until i got the other pig.

 

[Bill & Ted]

I don’t know your circumstances but boars rarely get along in anything bigger than a pair. Trio’s are quite rare and usually end in failure once teenage hormones set in.
Have a read at the bonding guides on the green bar and see what’s best, you may be able to rebond your original pair, following strictly to the bonding procedures stated in the guides

 

[amy104]

How long ago did you seperate them?

The failed bonding could of potentially upset the balance of the existing pair.

As long as they aren't physically hurting each other I'd try the following:

• Increase space if possible - boars in particular are much less tense with each other if they have room to manouver.
• Make sure there are 2 of everything - hideys, water bottles etc
• Multiple piles of hay so they can munch in peace away from each other

Ideally I'd try and move the other boar to another room so they can't smell him anymore. You may be able to move him back in the same room at a later date once they have settled.

 

[amy104]

Sorry I've just realised you've already split your existing pair. In this case I would start from scratch in a neutral pen with just plenty of hay.

 

[charleigh]

I don’t know your circumstances but boars rarely get along in anything bigger than a pair. Trio’s are quite rare and usually end in failure once teenage hormones set in.
Have a read at the bonding guides on the green bar and see what’s best, you may be able to rebond your original pair, following strictly to the bonding procedures stated in the guides

I don’t know your circumstances but boars rarely get along in anything bigger than a pair. Trio’s are quite rare and usually end in failure once teenage hormones set in.
Have a read at the bonding guides on the green bar and see what’s best, you may be able to rebond your original pair, following strictly to the bonding procedures stated in the guides

They're boars and have both recently just turned 4 months so i feel like it may be due to hormones. The third pig isn't in the same cage due to complications trying to bond all three.

 

[charleigh]

How long ago did you seperate them?

The failed bonding could of potentially upset the balance of the existing pair.

As long as they aren't physically hurting each other I'd try the following:

• Increase space if possible - boars in particular are much less tense with each other if they have room to manouver.
• Make sure there are 2 of everything - hideys, water bottles etc
• Multiple piles of hay so they can munch in peace away from each other

Ideally I'd try and move the other boar to another room so they can't smell him anymore. You may be able to move him back in the same room at a later date once they have settled.

Thank you so much for the advice, one of the existing pair actually got injured this morning so i separated them immediately. The other boar hasn't been in the same room since i got him but the existing pair have both recently turned 4 months so i think it may be due to hormones.

 

[Wiebke]

They're boars and have both recently just turned 4 months so i feel like it may be due to hormones. The third pig isn't in the same cage due to complications trying to bond all three.

Hi!

Your boys have just entered teenage and are at one of the trickier stages when you rocked the boat even further by the introduction of a third boar (a big no no).

You can try a re-into on neutral ground but have your oven gloves and a plan B at the ready in case they won't go back together.

Please read these to very helpful and practical guides here before you do anything:
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[charleigh]

hey, thank you so much for this, i only learnt today that they enter teenage years at 4 months and i take complete responsibility for not knowing that. I'm quite scared of re introducing them as one of my pigs is injured because of today's fight so i'll probably just seperate them for good.

 

[Bill & Ted]

If you have the space can they go side by side so they can interact and have company x