Piggies have gone a bit mad/fighting

  • Thread starter Thread starter Threepigs
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

Threepigs

Our gps live in a hutch in the garden normally, but since it has been so cold we have had them in a smaller cage in the garage. I know it is not really quite big enough, but they were so cold in the garden (the hutch had a hutch snuggler and the thing that goes over the top too, but it was still cold) they spent all day huddled in their shoe-box. We decided it was better for them to have less space and be warm than out there. A bigger indoor cage isn't possible at the moment for various reasons.

Anyhow, today was mild and I thought they must be a bit bored, so I put them into their normal hutch that they have been away from for about 2 weeks.

They went mad! There was a clear dominance thing going on between two of them and I think there was a bit of fur flying. I thought I was going to have to move them. The wierd thing is that the non-dominant boy is so un-dominant, I'm surprised there was an issue there at all (the third gp is so laid back he sat around and referreed (sp?)).

I understand that they need to ascertain dominance and mark territory, but it seems strange that they have been together since babyhood (now about 6 months) with no problems and are now scrapping in a cage they have already lived in.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Many thanks
 
Hi

3 is a funny number for boars, and if they're reaching the 6 month 'teenager' stage they might start fighting for almost no reason at all. Putting them in a different space might set them off, as they will have to re-establish the pecking order again - it doesn't matter that it's a cage they've lived in before, it's still 'new' territory.

I think you need to decide whether to keep them in or out and stick to it - moving them from one to another can be bad for them as they need to aclimatise (sp?).

Check them over for bite wounds - I've normally found that these happen around the face / lips and rump - and keep an eye on them. If blood is shed then it's going to be more tricky to reintroduce them.

Let us know how they get on!

Sophie
x
 
Gosh I'm glad I'm not a guinea-pig; life sound so complicated (though some of the Mums at my children's school are a bit like this re the pecking order :))).

They calmed down after the first 30 mins and have been completely normal for the rest of the day, as far as I can see. No bloodshed.

I didn't realise moving them around could cause such problems. Do you think it would be better if, rather than keeping them in their smaller cage all winter, I put them into the hutch daily so that it became the norm to them and they didn't have to keep re-establishing pecking order?

Thanks
 
SophieW - I meant to say, re the aclimitising that I only put them out because it was so mild where we are today (strange, as a lot of people have snow). It was probably the same temperature outside (or warmer) as it has been in the garage all week.

I guess that means I couldn't keep putting them in the hutch each day like I suggested in my last post though ...
 
It could be a territory thing with them going into new smaller accommodation.

The new housing didn't have the scent of sows in it, did it?
 
If the hutch is larger then personally I think they'd be better in that, if well insulated against the cold & damp and in a sheltered spot - or a shed or garage (if no car kept in it!)

Sophie
x
 
Oveione - I suppose we could actually, now you mention it! the initial idea was for them to be in the hutch in the day and the indoor cage at night (it is in garage, so not so much difference in temperature that it would be a problem) - but that might be a solution (garage is a bit dark, but then they are in it all the time at the moment).

Goldie - no, no sows. It did pass my mind though and I wondered if their old scent smelt like sow scent.

Sophie - I just feel mean making them stay out all the time. The indoor cage is in the garage already, so not 'indoors' as such.

Thanks all
 
oh dear naughty boys! perhaps they just need a bit more space.seems to solve most rows
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top